Description: This article will highlight the issue that the sum of key-rate metrics does not add to metrics derived by parallel shift to the entire curve, even at very low shift size. Additionally, in the article I will outline how to define a single rate change to be applied to a key rate (or the entire curve) since the rate changes are generally not level or parallel.

Description: How insurers can include a liquidity score and liquidity stress scenarios as part of their asset liability management (ALM) protocol.

Description: Sustainable operations under changes in accounting principles and solvency standards

Description: History of Life Insurance insolvencies and evolution of statutory reporting requirements and laws to enable improved control over preventing insolvencies. Reflects my extensive personal knowledge serving on regulatory and industry boards and committees regarding these developments. A key item of solvency control in Risk Based Capital. References provided for FRBC/insolvency data from NAIC and the GAO.

Description: Summary of research project designed to document method to credit interest rates to account value based products. The investment year method (IYM) can theoretically align with investment strategy and be fair to policyholders. These products were designed in the 1980s with guaranteed nominal rates above what is currently accessible so most products credit the guaranteed rate. This paper documents how it could be resurrected during the next interest rate cycle.

Description: How insurers can include a liquidity score and liquidity stress scenarios as part of their asset liability management (ALM) protocol.

Description: How to set asset assumption, at the cycle or through the cycle and other considerations

Description: This article will highlight the issue that the sum of key-rate metrics does not add to metrics derived by parallel shift to the entire curve, even at very low shift size. Additionally, in the article I will outline how to define a single rate change to be applied to a key rate (or the entire curve) since the rate changes are generally not level or parallel.

Description: Since most cash flows being discounted in the value calculation are dependent on the forward rates, in the key-rate calculation forwards (not spots) should be shifted. I will show that if spots are shifted up/down, they would not necessarily result in forwards being up/down for all the years in the particular key rate, resulting in unexpected results. I will further show how metrics calculated by shifting forwards versus spots enhance the accuracy of the approximation of projected value in various rate environments.

Description: Asset Liability Management (ALM) is a vital function in insurance operations, focusing on the strategic alignment of assets and liabilities to enhance risk-adjusted returns while ensuring compliance with regulations and fulfilling policyholder commitments. The rise of negative credit spreads poses a fundamental challenge to conventional ALM models, compelling insurance companies to reevaluate their investment strategies, hedging techniques, and risk management practices. This analysis indicates that negative credit spreads bring both considerable challenges and distinct opportunities for insurers. Although they narrow profit margins and complicate traditional spread-based investment approaches, they also offer potential for capital gains and alternative revenue sources for insurers willing to adapt their ALM strategies accordingly.