R590. Insurance, Administration.
R590-162. Actuarial Opinion and Memorandum Rule.
R590-162-1. Purpose.
The purpose of this rule is to prescribe:
A. Guidelines and standards for statements of actuarial opinion
which are to be submitted in accordance with Section 31A-17-503, and for memoranda in
support thereof;
B. Guidelines and standards for statements of actuarial opinion
which are to be submitted when a company is exempt from Subsection 31A-17-503(3); and
C. Rules applicable to the appointment of an appointed actuary.
R590-162-2. Authority.
This rule is issued pursuant to the authority vested in the
Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Utah under Section 31A-17 Part 5. This rule will
take effect for annual statements for the year 1993.
R590-162-3. Scope.
This rule shall apply to all life insurance companies and
fraternal benefit societies doing business in this State and to all life insurance
companies and fraternal benefit societies which are authorized to reinsure life insurance,
annuities or disability insurance business in this State.
This rule shall be applicable to all annual statements filed with
the office of the commissioner after the effective date of this rule. Except with respect
to companies which are exempted pursuant to Section 6 of this rule, a statement of opinion
on the adequacy of the reserves and related actuarial items based on an asset adequacy
analysis in accordance with Section 8 of this rule, and a memorandum in support thereof in
accordance with Section 9 of this rule, shall be required each year. Any company so
exempted must file a statement of actuarial opinion pursuant to Section 7 of this rule.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commissioner may require any
company otherwise exempt pursuant to this rule to submit a statement of actuarial opinion
and to prepare a memorandum in support thereof in accordance with Sections 8 and 9 of this
rule if, in the opinion of the commissioner, an asset adequacy analysis is necessary with
respect to the company.
R590-162-4. Definitions.
A. Actuarial Opinion means:
(1) With respect to Section 8, 9 or 10 of this rule, the opinion
of an Appointed Actuary regarding the adequacy of the reserves and related actuarial items
based on an asset adequacy test in accordance with Section 8 of this rule and with
presently accepted Actuarial Standards;
(2) With respect to Section 7 of this rule, the opinion of an
Appointed Actuary regarding the calculation of reserves and related items, in accordance
with Section 7 of this rule and with those presently accepted Actuarial Standards which
specifically relate to this opinion.
B. "Actuarial Standards Board" is the board
established by the American Academy of Actuaries to develop and promulgate standards of
actuarial practice.
C. "Annual Statement" means that statement required by
Section 31A-4-113 to be filed by the company with the office of the commissioner annually.
D. "Appointed Actuary" means any individual who is
appointed or retained in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 5C of this
rule to provide the actuarial opinion and supporting memorandum as required by 31A-17-503.
E. "Asset Adequacy Analysis" means an analysis that
meets the standards and other requirements referred to in Section 5D of this rule. It may
take many forms, including, but not limited to, cash flow testing, sensitivity testing or
applications of risk theory.
F. "Commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner of
this State.
G. "Company" means a life insurance company, fraternal
benefit society or reinsurer subject to the provisions of this rule.
H. "Non-Investment Grade Bonds" are those designated as
classes 3, 4, 5 or 6 by the NAIC Securities Valuation Office.
I. "Qualified Actuary" means any individual who meets
the requirements set forth in Section 5B of this rule.
R590-162-5. General Requirements.
A. Submission of Statement of Actuarial Opinion
(1) There is to be included on or attached to Page 1 of the annual
statement for each year beginning with the year in which this rule becomes effective the
statement of an appointed actuary, entitled "Statement of Actuarial Opinion,"
setting forth an opinion relating to reserves and related actuarial items held in support
of policies and contracts, in accordance with Section 8 of this rule; provided, however,
that any company exempted pursuant to Section 6 of this rule from submitting a statement
of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 8 of this rule shall include on or attach
to Page 1 of the annual statement a statement of actuarial opinion rendered by an
appointed actuary in accordance with Section 7 of this rule.
(2) If in the previous year a company provided a statement of
actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, and in the current year fails
the exemption criteria of Sections 6C(1), 6C(2) or 6C(5) of this rule, to again provide an
actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, the statement of actuarial
opinion in accordance with Section 8 of this rule, shall not be required until August 1
following the date of the annual statement. In this instance, the company shall provide a
statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, with appropriate
qualification noting the intent to subsequently provide a statement of actuarial opinion
in accordance with Section 8 of this rule.
(3) In the case of a statement of actuarial opinion required to be
submitted by a foreign or alien company, the commissioner may accept the statement of
actuarial opinion filed by such company with the insurance supervisory regulator of
another state if the
commissioner determines that the opinion reasonably meets the requirements applicable
to a company domiciled in this State.
(4) Upon written request by the company, the commissioner may
grant an extension of the date for submission of the statement of actuarial opinion.
B. Qualified Actuary
A "qualified actuary" is an individual who:
(1) Is a member in good standing of the American Academy of
Actuaries; and
(2) Is qualified to sign statements of actuarial opinion for life
and disability insurance company annual statements in accordance with the American Academy
of Actuaries qualification standards for actuaries signing such statements; and
(3) Is familiar with the valuation requirements applicable to life
and disability insurance companies; and
(4) Has not been found by the commissioner, or if so found has
subsequently been reinstated as a qualified actuary, following appropriate notice and
hearing to have:
(a) Violated any provision of, or any obligation imposed by, the
Utah Code or other law in the course of his or her dealings as a qualified actuary; or
(b) Been found guilty of fraudulent or dishonest practices; or
(c) Demonstrated his or her incompetency, lack of cooperation, or
untrustworthiness to act as a qualified actuary; or
(d) Submitted to the commissioner during the past five years,
pursuant to this rule, an actuarial opinion or memorandum that the commissioner rejected
because it did not meet the provisions of this rule including standards set by the
Actuarial Standards Board; or
(e) Resigned or been removed as an actuary within the past five
years as a result of acts or omissions indicated in any adverse report on examination or
as a result of failure to adhere to generally acceptable actuarial standards; and
(5) Has not failed to notify the commissioner of any action taken
by any commissioner of any other state similar to that under Paragraph (4) above.
C. Appointed Actuary
An "appointed actuary" is a qualified actuary who is
appointed or retained to prepare the Statement of Actuarial Opinion required by this rule,
either directly by or by the authority of the board of directors through an executive
officer of the company. The company shall give the commissioner timely written notice of
the name, title, and, in the case of a consulting actuary, the name of the firm and manner
of appointment or retention of each person appointed or retained by the company as an
appointed actuary and shall state in such notice that the person meets the requirements
set forth in Section 5B of this rule. Once notice is furnished, no further notice is
required with respect to this person, provided that the company shall give the
commissioner timely written notice in the event the actuary ceases to be appointed or
retained as an appointed actuary or to meet the requirements set forth in Section 5B. If
any person appointed or retained as an appointed actuary replaces a previously appointed
actuary, the notice shall so state
and give the reasons for replacement.
D. Standards for Asset Adequacy Analysis
The asset adequacy analysis required by this rule:
(1) Shall conform to the Standards of Practice as promulgated from
time to time by the Actuarial Standards Board and on any additional standards under this
rule, which standards are to form the basis of the statement of actuarial opinion in
accordance with Section 8 of this rule; and
(2) Shall be based on methods of analysis as are deemed
appropriate for such purposes by the Actuarial Standards Board.
E. Liabilities to be Covered
(1) Under authority of Section 31A-17-503, the statement of
actuarial opinion shall apply to all in force business on the statement date regardless of
when or where issued, e.g., reserves of Exhibits 8, 9 and 10, and claim liabilities in
Exhibit 11, Part I and equivalent items in the separate account statement or statements.
(2) If the appointed actuary determines as the result of asset
adequacy analysis that a reserve should be held in addition to the aggregate reserve held
by the company and calculated in accordance with methods set forth in Sections
31A-17-505(1), 31A-17-505(1)(a), 31A-17-511, 31A-17-512, and 31A-17-513, the company shall
establish such additional reserve.
(3) For years ending prior to December 31, 1995, the company may,
in lieu of establishing the full amount of the additional reserve in the annual statement
for that year, set up an additional reserve in an amount not less than the following:
December 31, 1993. The additional reserve divided by three.
December 31, 1994. Two times the additional reserve divided by
three.
(4) Additional reserves established under Paragraphs (2) or (3)
above and deemed not necessary in subsequent years may be released. Any amounts released
must be disclosed in the actuarial opinion for the applicable year. The release of such
reserves would not be deemed an adoption of a lower standard of valuation.
R590-162-6. Required Opinions.
A. General
In accordance with Section 31A-17-503, every company doing
business in this State shall annually submit the opinion of an appointed actuary as
provided for by this rule. The type of opinion submitted shall be determined by the
provisions set forth in this Section 6 and shall be in accordance with the applicable
provisions in this rule.
B. Company Categories
For purposes of this rule, companies shall be classified as
follows based on the admitted assets as of the end of the calendar year for which the
actuarial opinion is applicable:
(1) Category A shall consist of those companies whose admitted
assets do not exceed $20 million;
(2) Category B shall consist of those companies whose admitted
assets exceed $20 million but do not exceed $100 million;
(3) Category C shall consist of those companies whose admitted
assets exceed $100 million but do not exceed $500 million;
and
(4) Category D shall consist of those companies whose admitted
assets exceed $500 million.
C. Exemption Eligibility Tests
(1) Any Category A company that, for any year beginning with the
year in which this rule becomes effective, meets all of the following criteria shall be
eligible for exemption from submission of a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance
with Section 8 of this rule for the year in which these criteria are met. The ratios in
(a), (b) and (c) below shall be calculated based on amounts as of the end of the calendar
year for which the actuarial opinion is applicable.
(a) The ratio of the sum of capital and surplus to the sum of cash
and invested assets is at least equal to .10.
(b) The ratio of the sum of the reserves and liabilities for
annuities and deposits to the total admitted assets is less than .30.
(c) The ratio of the book value of the non-investment grade bonds
to the sum of capital and surplus is less than .50.
(d) The Examiner Team for the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners (NAIC) has not designated the company as a first priority company in any of
the two calendar years preceding the calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is
applicable, or a second priority company in each of the two calendar years preceding the
calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is applicable, or the company has resolved
the first or second priority status to the satisfaction of the commissioner of the state
of domicile and the commissioner has so notified the chair of the NAIC Life and Health
Actuarial Task Force and the NAIC Staff and Support Office.
(2) Any Category B company that, for any year beginning with the
year in which this rule becomes effective, meets all of the following criteria shall be
eligible for exemption from submission of a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance
with Section 8 of this rule for the year in which the criteria are met. The ratios in (a),
(b) and (c) below shall be calculated based on amounts as of the end of the calendar year
for which the actuarial opinion is applicable.
(a) The ratio of the sum of capital and surplus to the sum of cash
and invested assets is at least equal to .07.
(b) The ratio of the sum of the reserves and liabilities for
annuities and deposits to the total admitted assets is less than .40.
(c) The ratio of the book value of the non-investment grade bonds
to the sum of capital and surplus is less than .50.
(d) The Examiner Team for the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners (NAIC) has not designated the company as a first priority company in any of
the two calendar years preceding the calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is
applicable, or a second priority company in each of the two calendar years preceding the
calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is applicable, or the company has resolved
the first or second priority status to the satisfaction of the commissioner of the state
of domicile and the commissioner has so notified the chair of
the NAIC Life and Health Actuarial Task Force and the NAIC Staff and Support Office.
(3) Any Category A or Category B company that meets all of the
criteria set forth in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, whichever is applicable, is
exempted from submission of a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 8
of this rule unless the commissioner specifically indicates to the company that the
exemption is not to be taken.
(4) Any Category A or Category B company that, for any year
beginning with the year in which this rule becomes effective, is not exempted under
Paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be required to submit a statement of actuarial
opinion in accordance with Section 8 of this rule for the year for which it is not exempt.
(5) Any Category C company that, after submitting an opinion in
accordance with Section 8 of this rule, meets all of the following criteria shall not be
required, unless required in accordance with Paragraph (6) below, to submit a statement of
actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 8 of this rule more frequently than every
third year. Any Category C company which fails to meet all of the following criteria for
any year shall submit a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 8 of
this rule for that year. The ratios in (a), (b) and (c) below shall be calculated based on
amounts as of the end of the calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is applicable.
(a) The ratio of the sum of capital and surplus to the sum of cash
and invested assets is at least equal to .05.
(b) The ratio of the sum of the reserves and liabilities for
annuities and deposits to the total admitted assets is less than .50.
(c) The ratio of the book value of the non-investment grade bonds
to the sum of the capital and surplus is less than .50.
(d) The Examiner Team for the NAIC has not designated the company
as a first priority company in any of the two calendar years preceding the calendar year
for which the actuarial opinion is applicable, or a second priority company in each of the
two calendar years preceding the calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is
applicable, or the company has resolved the first or second priority status to the
satisfaction of the commissioner of the state of domicile and the commissioner has so
notified the chair of the NAIC Life and Health Actuarial Task Force and the NAIC Staff and
Support Office.
(6) Any company which is not required by this Section 6 to submit
a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 8 of this rule for any year
shall submit a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 7 of this rule
for that year unless as provided for by the second paragraph of Section 3 of this rule the
commissioner requires a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with Section 8 of
this rule.
D. Large Companies
Every Category D company shall submit a statement of actuarial
opinion in accordance with Section 8 of this rule for each year beginning with the year in
which this rule becomes effective.
R590-162-7. Statement of Actuarial Opinion Not Including an Asset Adequacy Analysis.
A. General Description
The statement of actuarial opinion required by this section shall
consist of a paragraph identifying the appointed actuary and his or her qualifications; a
regulatory authority paragraph stating that the company is exempt pursuant to this rule
from submitting a statement of actuarial opinion based on an asset adequacy analysis and
that the opinion, which is not based on an asset adequacy analysis, is rendered in
accordance with Section 7 of this rule; a scope paragraph identifying the subjects on
which the opinion is to be expressed and describing the scope of the appointed actuary's
work; and an opinion paragraph expressing the appointed actuary's opinion as required by
Section 31A-17-503.
B. Recommended Language
The following language provided is that which in typical
circumstances would be included in a statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with
this section. The language may be modified as needed to meet the circumstances of a
particular case, but the appointed actuary should use language which clearly expresses his
or her professional judgment. However, in any event the opinion shall retain all pertinent
aspects of the language provided in Section 7 of this rule.
(1) The opening paragraph should indicate the appointed actuary's
relationship to the company. For a company actuary, the opening paragraph of the actuarial
opinion should read as follows:
"I, (name of actuary), am (title) of (name of company) and a
member of the American Academy of Actuaries. I was appointed by, or by the authority of,
the Board of Directors of said insurer to render this opinion as stated in the letter to
the commissioner dated (insert date). I meet the Academy qualification standards for
rendering the opinion and am familiar with the valuation requirements applicable to life
and disability companies."
For a consulting actuary, the opening paragraph of the actuarial
opinion should contain a sentence such as:
"I, (name and title of actuary), a member of the American
Academy of Actuaries, am associated with the firm of (insert name of consulting firm). I
have been appointed by, or by the authority of, the Board of Directors of (name of
company) to render this opinion as stated in the letter to the commissioner dated (insert
date). I meet the Academy qualification standards for rendering the opinion and am
familiar with the valuation requirements applicable to life and disability insurance
companies."
(2) The regulatory authority paragraph should include a statement
such as the following: "Said company is exempt pursuant to Rule (insert designation)
of the (name of state) Insurance Department from submitting a statement of actuarial
opinion based on an asset adequacy analysis. This opinion, which is not based on an asset
adequacy analysis, is rendered in accordance with Section 7 of the rule."
(3) The scope paragraph should contain a sentence such as the
following: "I have examined the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods used in
determining reserves and related actuarial items listed below, as shown in the annual
statement of
the company, as prepared for filing with state regulatory officials, as of December 31,
( )."
The paragraph should list items and amounts with respect to which
the appointed actuary is expressing an opinion. The list should include but not be
necessarily limited to:
(a) Aggregate reserve and deposit funds for policies and contracts
included in Exhibit 8;
(b) Aggregate reserve and deposit funds for policies and contracts
included in Exhibit 9;
(c) Deposit funds, premiums, dividend and coupon accumulations and
supplementary contracts not involving life contingencies included in Exhibit 10; and
(d) Policy and contract claims--liability end of current year
included in Exhibit 11, Part I.
(4) If the appointed actuary has examined the underlying records,
the scope paragraph should also include the following:
"My examination included such review of the actuarial
assumptions and actuarial methods and of the underlying basic records and such tests of
the actuarial calculations as I considered necessary."
(5) If the appointed actuary has not examined the underlying
records, but has relied upon listings and summaries of policies in force prepared by the
company or a third party, the scope paragraph should include a sentence such as one of the
following:
"I have relied upon listings and summaries of policies and
contracts and other liabilities in force prepared by (name and title of company officer
certifying in force records) as certified in the attached statement. (See accompanying
affidavit by a company officer.) In other respects my examination included review of the
actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods and such tests of the actuarial calculations
as I considered necessary."
or
"I have relied upon (name of accounting firm) for the
substantial accuracy of the in force records inventory and information concerning other
liabilities, as certified in the attached statement. In other respects my examination
included review of the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods and such tests of the
actuarial calculations as I considered necessary."
The statement of the person certifying shall follow the form
indicated by Section 7B(10) of this rule.
(6) The opinion paragraph should include the following:
"In my opinion the amounts carried in the balance sheet on
account of the actuarial items identified above:
(a) Are computed in accordance with those presently accepted
actuarial standards which specifically relate to the opinion required under this section;
(b) Are based on actuarial assumptions which produce reserves at
least as great as those called for in any contract provision as to reserve basis and
method, and are in accordance with all other contract provisions;
(c) Meet the requirements of the Insurance Law and rules of the
state of (state of domicile) and are at least as great as the minimum aggregate amounts
required by the state in which this statement is filed.
(d) Are computed on the basis of assumptions consistent with
those used in computing the corresponding items in the annual statement of the preceding
year-end with any exceptions as noted below; and
(e) Include provision for all actuarial reserves and related
statement items which ought to be established.
The actuarial methods, considerations and analyses used in forming
my opinion conform to the appropriate Compliance Guidelines as promulgated by the
Actuarial Standards Board, which guidelines form the basis of this statement of
opinion."
(7) The concluding paragraph should document the eligibility for
the company to provide an opinion as provided by this Section 7. It shall include the
following:
"This opinion is provided in accordance with Section 7 of the
NAIC Actuarial Opinion and Memorandum Rule. As such it does not include an opinion
regarding the adequacy of reserves and related actuarial items when considered in light of
the assets which support them.
Eligibility for Section 7 of this rule is confirmed as follows:
(a) The ratio of the sum of capital and surplus to the sum of cash
and invested assets is (insert amount), which equals or exceeds the applicable criterion
based on the admitted assets of the company specified in Section 6C of this rule.
(b) The ratio of the sum of the reserves and liabilities for
annuities and deposits to the excess of the total admitted assets is (insert amount),
which is less than the applicable criteria based on the admitted assets of the company
specified in Section 6C of this rule.
(c) The ratio of the book value of the non-investment grade bonds
to the sum of capital and surplus is (insert amount), which is less than the applicable
criteria of .50.
(d) To my knowledge, the NAIC Examiner Team has not designated the
company as a first priority company in any of the two calendar years preceding the
calendar year for which the actuarial opinion is applicable, or a second priority company
in each of the two calendar years preceding the calendar year for which the actuarial
opinion is applicable or the company has resolved the first or second priority status to
the satisfaction of the commissioner of the state of domicile.
(e) To my knowledge there is not a specific request from any
commissioner requiring an asset adequacy analysis opinion.
.......................................
Signature of Appointed Actuary
.......................................
Address of Appointed Actuary
.......................................
Telephone Number of Appointed Actuary"
(8) If there has been any change in the
actuarial assumptions from those previously employed, that change should be described in
the annual statement or in a paragraph of the statement of actuarial opinion, and the
reference in Section 7B(6)(d) above to consistency should read as follows:
"... with the exception of the change described on Page ( )
of the annual statement (or in the preceding paragraph)."
The adoption for new issues or new claims or other new liabilities
of an actuarial assumption which differs from a corresponding assumption used for prior
new issues or new claims or other new liabilities is not a change in actuarial assumptions
within the meaning of this paragraph.
(9) If the appointed actuary is unable to form an opinion, he or
she shall refuse to issue a statement of actuarial opinion. If the appointed actuary's
opinion is adverse or qualified, he or she shall issue an adverse or qualified actuarial
opinion explicitly stating the reason(s) for such opinion. This statement should follow
the scope paragraph and precede the opinion paragraph.
(10) If the appointed actuary does not express an opinion as to
the accuracy and completeness of the listings and summaries of policies in force, there
should be attached to the opinion, the statement of a company officer or accounting firm
who prepared such underlying data similar to the following:
"I (name of officer), (title) of (name and address of company
or accounting firm), hereby affirm that the listings and summaries of policies and
contracts in force as of December 31, ( ), prepared for and submitted to (name of
appointed actuary), were prepared under my direction and, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, are substantially accurate and complete.
.......................................
Signature of the Officer of the Company
or Accounting Firm
.......................................
Address of the Officer of the Company
or Accounting Firm
.......................................
Telephone Number of the Officer of the
Company or Accounting Firm"
R590-162-8. Statement of Actuarial Opinion Based On an Asset Adequacy Analysis.
A. General Description
The statement of actuarial opinion submitted in accordance with
this section shall consist of:
(1) A paragraph identifying the appointed actuary and his or her
qualifications as specified in Section 8B(1) of this rule;
(2) A scope paragraph identifying the subjects on which an opinion
is to be expressed and describing the scope of the appointed actuary's work, including a
tabulation delineating the reserves and related actuarial items which have been analyzed
for
asset adequacy and the method of analysis, as specified in Section 8B(2) of this rule,
and identifying the reserves and related actuarial items covered by the opinion which have
not been so analyzed;
(3) A reliance paragraph describing those areas, if any, where the
appointed actuary has deferred to other experts in developing data, procedures or
assumptions, e.g., anticipated cash flows from currently owned assets, including variation
in cash flows according to economic scenarios, as specified in Section 8B(3) of this rule,
supported by a statement of each such expert in the form prescribed by Section 8E of this
rule; and
(4) An opinion paragraph expressing the appointed actuary's
opinion with respect to the adequacy of the supporting assets to mature the liabilities,
as specified in Section 8B(6) of this rule.
(5) One or more additional paragraphs will be needed in individual
company cases as follows:
(a) If the appointed actuary considers it necessary to state a
qualification of his or her opinion;
(b) If the appointed actuary must disclose the method of
aggregation for reserves of different products or lines of business for asset adequacy
analysis;
(c) If the appointed actuary must disclose reliance upon any
portion of the assets supporting the Asset Valuation Reserve (AVR), Interest Maintenance
Reserve (IMR) or other mandatory or voluntary statement of reserves for asset adequacy
analysis.
(d) If the appointed actuary must disclose an inconsistency in the
method of analysis or basis of asset allocation used at the prior opinion date with that
used for this opinion.
(e) If the appointed actuary must disclose whether additional
reserves of the prior opinion date are released as of this opinion date, and the extent of
the release.
(f) If the appointed actuary chooses to add a paragraph briefly
describing the assumptions which form the basis for the actuarial opinion.
B. Recommended Language
The following paragraphs are to be included in the statement of
actuarial opinion in accordance with this section. Language is that which in typical
circumstances should be included in a statement of actuarial opinion. The language may be
modified as needed to meet the circumstances of a particular case, but the appointed
actuary should use language which clearly expresses his or her professional judgment.
However, in any event the opinion shall retain all pertinent aspects of the language
provided in this section.
(1) The opening paragraph should generally indicate the appointed
actuary's relationship to the company and his or her qualifications to sign the opinion.
For a company actuary, the opening paragraph of the actuarial opinion should read as
follows:
"I, (name), am (title) of (insurance company name) and a
member of the American Academy of Actuaries. I was appointed by, or by the authority of,
the Board of Directors of said insurer to render this opinion as stated in the letter to
the commissioner dated (insert date). I meet the Academy qualification standards for
rendering the opinion and am familiar with the valuation
requirements applicable to life and disability insurance companies."
For a consulting actuary, the opening paragraph should contain a
sentence such as:
"I, (name), a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, am
associated with the firm of (name of consulting firm). I have been appointed by, or by the
authority of, the Board of Directors of (name of company) to render this opinion as stated
in the letter to the commissioner dated (insert date). I meet the Academy qualification
standards for rendering the opinion and am familiar with the valuation requirements
applicable to life and disability insurance companies."
(2) The scope paragraph should include a statement such as the
following:
"I have examined the actuarial assumptions and actuarial
methods used in determining reserves and related actuarial items listed below, as shown in
the annual statement of the company, as prepared for filing with state regulatory
officials, as of December 31, 19( ). Tabulated below are those reserves and related
actuarial items which have been subjected to asset adequacy analysis.
(3) If the appointed actuary has relied on other experts to
develop certain portions of the analysis, the reliance paragraph should include a
statement such as the following:
"I have relied on (name), (title) for (e.g., anticipated cash
flows from currently owned assets, including variations in cash flows according to
economic scenarios) and, as certified in the attached statement, ..."
or
"I have relied on personnel as cited in the supporting
memorandum for certain critical aspects of the analysis in reference to the accompanying
statement."
Such a statement of reliance on other experts should be
accompanied by a statement by each of such experts of the form prescribed by Section 8E of
this rule.
(4) If the appointed actuary has examined the underlying asset and
liability records, the reliance paragraph should also include the following:
"My examination included such review of the actuarial
assumptions and actuarial methods and of the underlying basic asset and liability records
and such tests of the actuarial calculations as I considered necessary."
(5) If the appointed actuary has not examined the underlying
records, but has relied upon listings and summaries of policies in force and/or asset
records prepared by the company or a third party, the reliance paragraph should include a
sentence such as:
"I have relied upon listings and summaries (of policies and
contracts, of asset records) prepared by (name and title of company officer certifying
in-force records) as certified in the attached statement. In other respects my examination
included such review of the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods and such tests of
the actuarial calculations as I considered necessary."
or
"I have relied upon (name of accounting firm) for the
substantial accuracy of the in-force records inventory and information concerning other
liabilities, as certified in the attached statement. In other respects my examination
included review of the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods and tests of the
actuarial calculations as I considered necessary."
Such a section must be accompanied by a statement by each person
relied upon of the form prescribed by Section 8E of this rule.
(6) The opinion paragraph should include the following:
"In my opinion the reserves and related actuarial values
concerning the statement items identified above:
(a) Are computed in accordance with presently accepted actuarial
standards consistently applied and are fairly stated, in accordance with sound actuarial
principles;
(b) Are based on actuarial assumptions which produce reserves at
least as great as those called for in any contract provision as to reserve basis and
method, and are in accordance with all other contract provisions;
(c) Meet the requirements of the Insurance Law and rule of the
state of (state of domicile) and are at least as great as the minimum aggregate amounts
required by the state in which this statement is filed.
(d) Are computed on the basis of assumptions consistent with those
used in computing the corresponding items in the annual statement of the preceding
year-end (with any exceptions noted below);
(e) Include provision for all actuarial reserves and related
statement items which ought to be established.
The reserves and related items, when considered in light of the
assets held by the company with respect to such reserves and related actuarial items
including, but not limited to, the investment earnings on such assets, and the
considerations anticipated to be received and retained under such policies and contracts,
make adequate provision, according to presently accepted actuarial standards of practice,
for the anticipated cash flows required by the contractual obligations and related
expenses of the company.
The actuarial methods, considerations and analyses used in forming
my opinion conform to the appropriate Standards of Practice as promulgated by the
Actuarial Standards Board, which standards form the basis of this statement of opinion.
This opinion is updated annually as required by statute. To the
best of my knowledge, there have been no material changes from the applicable date of the
annual statement to the date of the rendering of this opinion which should be considered
in reviewing this opinion.
or
The following material change(s) which occurred between the date
of the statement for which this opinion is applicable and the date of this opinion should
be considered in reviewing this opinion: (Describe the change or changes.)
The impact of unanticipated events subsequent to the date of this
opinion is beyond the scope of this opinion. The analysis of asset adequacy portion of
this opinion should be viewed recognizing
that the company's future experience may not follow all the assumptions used in the
analysis.
........................................
Signature of Appointed Actuary
.......................................
Address of Appointed Actuary
.......................................
Telephone Number of Appointed Actuary"
C. Assumptions for New Issues
The adoption for new issues or new claims or other new liabilities
of an actuarial assumption which differs from a corresponding assumption used for prior
new issues or new claims or other new liabilities is not a change in actuarial assumptions
within the meaning of this Section 8.
D. Adverse Opinions
If the appointed actuary is unable to form an opinion, then he or
she shall refuse to issue a statement of actuarial opinion. If the appointed actuary's
opinion is adverse or qualified, then he or she shall issue an adverse or qualified
actuarial opinion explicitly stating the reason(s) for such opinion. This statement should
follow the scope paragraph and precede the opinion paragraph.
E. Reliance on Data Furnished by Other Persons
If the appointed actuary does not express an opinion as to the
accuracy and completeness of the listings and summaries of policies in force and/or asset
oriented information, there shall be attached to the opinion the statement of a company
officer or accounting firm who prepared such underlying data similar to the following:
"I (name of officer), (title), of (name of company or
accounting firm), hereby affirm that the listings and summaries of policies and contracts
in force as of December 31, 19( ), and other liabilities prepared for and submitted to
(name of appointed actuary) were prepared under my direction and, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, are substantially accurate and complete.
........................................
Signature of the Officer of the Company
or Accounting Firm
.......................................
Address of the Officer of the Company
or Accounting Firm
.......................................
Telephone Number of the Officer of the
Company or Accounting Firm"
and/or
"I, (name of officer), (title) of (name of company,
accounting firm, or security analyst), hereby affirm that the listings, summaries and
analyses relating to data prepared for and submitted to (name of appointed actuary) in
support of the asset-oriented aspects of the opinion were prepared under my direction and,
to the best of my knowledge and belief, are substantially accurate and complete.
........................................
Signature of the Officer of the Company,
Accounting Firm or the Security Analyst
.......................................
Address of the Officer of the Company,
Accounting Firm or the Security Analyst
.......................................
Telephone Number of the Officer of the
Company, Accounting Firm or
the Security Analyst"
R590-162-9. Description of Actuarial Memorandum Including an Asset Adequacy
Analysis.
A. General
(1) In accordance with Section 31A-17-503, the appointed actuary
shall prepare a memorandum to the company describing the analysis done in support of his
or her opinion regarding the reserves under a Section 8 opinion. The memorandum shall be
made available for examination by the commissioner upon his or her request but shall be
returned to the company after such examination and shall not be considered a record of the
insurance department or subject to automatic filing with the commissioner.
(2) In preparing the memorandum, the appointed actuary may rely
on, and include as a part of his or her own memorandum, memoranda prepared and signed by
other actuaries who are qualified within the meaning of Section 5B of this rule, with
respect to the areas covered in such memoranda, and so state in their memoranda.
(3) If the commissioner requests a memorandum and no such
memorandum exists or if the commissioner finds that the analysis described in the
memorandum fails to meet the standards of the Actuarial Standards Board or the standards
and requirements of this rule, the commissioner may designate a qualified actuary to
review the opinion and prepare such supporting memorandum as is required for review. The
reasonable and necessary expense of the independent review shall be paid by the company
but shall be directed and controlled by the commissioner.
(4) The reviewing actuary shall have the same status as an
examiner for purposes of obtaining data from the company and the work papers and
documentation of the reviewing actuary shall be
retained by the commissioner; provided, however, that any information provided by the
company to the reviewing actuary and included in the work papers shall be considered as
material provided by the company to the commissioner and shall be kept confidential to the
same extent as is prescribed by law with respect to other material provided by the company
to the commissioner pursuant to the statute governing this rule. The reviewing actuary
shall not be an employee of a consulting firm involved with the preparation of any prior
memorandum or opinion for the insurer pursuant to this rule for any one of the current
year or the preceding three years.
B. Details of the Memorandum Section Documenting Asset Adequacy
Analysis of Section 8 of this rule.
When an actuarial opinion under Section 8 of this rule is
provided, the memorandum shall demonstrate that the analysis has been done in accordance
with the standards for asset adequacy referred to in Section 5D of this rule and any
additional standards under this rule. It shall specify:
(1) For reserves:
(a) Product descriptions including market description,
underwriting and other aspects of a risk profile and the specific risks the appointed
actuary deems significant;
(b) Source of liability in force;
(c) Reserve method and basis;
(d) Investment reserves;
(e) Reinsurance arrangements.
(2) For assets:
(a) Portfolio descriptions, including a risk profile disclosing
the quality, distribution and types of assets;
(b) Investment and disinvestment assumptions;
(c) Source of asset data;
(d) Asset valuation bases.
(3) Analysis basis:
(a) Methodology;
(b) Rationale for inclusion/exclusion of different blocks of
business and how pertinent risks were analyzed;
(c) Rationale for degree of rigor in analyzing different blocks of
business;
(d) Criteria for determining asset adequacy;
(e) Effect of federal income taxes, reinsurance and other relevant
factors.
(4) Summary of Results
(5) Conclusion(s)
C. Conformity to Standards of Practice
The memorandum shall include a statement:
"Actuarial methods, considerations and analyses used in the
preparation of this memorandum conform to the appropriate Standards of Practice as
promulgated by the Actuarial Standards Board, which standards form the basis for this
memorandum."
R590-162-10. Additional Considerations for Analysis.
A. Aggregation
For the asset adequacy analysis for the statement of actuarial
opinion provided in accordance with Section 8 of this rule,
reserves and assets may be aggregated by either of the following methods:
(1) Aggregate the reserves and related actuarial items, and the
supporting assets, for different products or lines of business, before analyzing the
adequacy of the combined assets to mature the combined liabilities. The appointed actuary
must be satisfied that the assets held in support of the reserves and related actuarial
items so aggregated are managed in such a manner that the cash flows from the aggregated
assets are available to help mature the liabilities from the blocks of business that have
been aggregated.
(2) Aggregate the results of asset adequacy analysis of one or
more products or lines of business, the reserves for which prove through analysis to be
redundant, with the results of one or more products or lines of business, the reserves for
which prove through analysis to be deficient. The appointed actuary must be satisfied that
the asset adequacy results for the various products or lines of business for which the
results are so aggregated:
(a) Are developed using consistent economic scenarios, or
(b) Are subject to mutually independent risks, i.e., the
likelihood of events impacting the adequacy of the assets supporting the redundant
reserves is completely unrelated to the likelihood of events impacting the adequacy of the
assets supporting the deficient reserves. In the event of any aggregation, the actuary
must disclose in his or her opinion that such reserves were aggregated on the basis of
method (1), (2)(a) or (2)(b) above, whichever is applicable, and describe the aggregation
in the supporting memorandum.
B. Selection of Assets for Analysis
The appointed actuary shall analyze only those assets held in
support of the reserves which are the subject for specific analysis, hereafter called
"specified reserves." A particular asset or portion thereof supporting a group
of specified reserves cannot support any other group of specified reserves. An asset may
be allocated over several groups of specified reserves. The annual statement value of the
assets held in support of the reserves shall not exceed the annual statement value of the
specified reserves, except as provided in Subsection C below. If the method of asset
allocation is not consistent from year to year, the extent of its inconsistency should be
described in the supporting memorandum.
C. Use of Assets Supporting the Interest Maintenance Reserve and
the Asset Valuation Reserve:
An appropriate allocation of assets in the amount of the Interest
Maintenance Reserve (IMR), whether positive or negative, must be used in any asset
adequacy analysis. Analysis of risks regarding asset default may include an appropriate
allocation of assets supporting the Asset Valuation Reserve (AVR); these AVR assets may
not be applied for any other risks with respect to reserve adequacy. Analysis of these and
other risks may include assets supporting other mandatory or voluntary reserves available
to the extent not used for risk analysis and reserve support. The amount of the assets
used for the AVR must be disclosed in the Table of Reserves and Liabilities of the opinion
and in the
memorandum. The method used for selecting particular assets or allocated portions of
assets must be disclosed in the memorandum.
D. Required Interest Scenarios
For the purpose of performing the asset adequacy analysis required
by this rule, the qualified actuary is expected to follow standards adopted by the
Actuarial Standards Board; nevertheless, the appointed actuary must consider in the
analysis the effect of at least the following interest rate scenarios:
(1) Level with no deviation;
(2) Uniformly increasing over ten years at a half percent per year
and then level;
(3) Uniformly increasing at one percent per year over five years
and then uniformly decreasing at one percent per year to the original level at the end of
ten years and then level;
(4) An immediate increase of 3% and then level;
(5) Uniformly decreasing over ten years at a half percent per year
and then level;
(6) Uniformly decreasing at one percent per year over five years
and then uniformly increasing at one percent per year to the original level at the end of
ten years and then level; and
(7) An immediate decrease of 3% and then level.
For these and other scenarios which may be used, projected
interest rates for a five year Treasury Note need not be reduced beyond the point where
the five year Treasury Note yield would be at 50% of its initial level.
The beginning interest rates may be based on interest rates for
new investments as of the valuation date similar to recent investments allocated to
support the product being tested or be based on an outside index, such as Treasury yields,
of assets of the appropriate length on a date close to the valuation date.
Whatever method is used to determine the beginning yield curve and
associated interest rates should be specifically defined. The beginning yield curve and
associated interest rates should be consistent for all interest rate scenarios.
E. Documentation
The appointed actuary shall retain on file, for at least seven
years, sufficient documentation so that it will be possible to determine the procedures
followed, the analyses performed, the bases for assumptions and the results obtained.
KEY: insurance
1994
31A-17-503
Notice of Continuation December 1, 1998
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