Remove restrictions on the mortality adjustment factors (known as X factors) in deficiency reserves calculation.
Text of proposed rule:
Subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of Section 98.4(b)(5) of this Part are repealed and subparagraphs (iv) through (ix) are renumbered (ii) through (vii).
Section 98.4(b)(5)(v) of this Part, as re-lettered by this amendment above, is amended to read as follows:
(v) The appointed actuary may decrease X at any valuation date as long as X [does not decrease in any successive policy years and as long as it] continues to meet all the requirements of this paragraph;
New subdivisions (c) and (d) are added to section 98.5 to read as follows:
(c) For policies subject to a non-elective change in valuation mortality rates because the requirements for continued use of the prior rates were no longer satisfied, the insurer may, but shall not be required to, recalculate the segments.
(d) For policies subject to an insurer-election to substitute the 2001 Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table for the 2001 CSO Mortality Table:
(1) If the policy was issued on a policy form filed for approval prior to January 1, 2009, the insurer may, but shall not be required to, recalculate the segments; and
(2) If the policy was issued on a policy form filed for approval after January 1, 2009, the insurer shall recalculate the segments using the new valuation mortality rates.
Section 98.9(c)(2)(viii)(b)(2) is amended to read as follows:
For policies issued on or after January 1, 2007 and prior to January 1, [2011]2014, for the purposes of applying section 98.7(b)(1) of this Part, an insurer may use a lapse rate of no more than two percent per year for the first five years, followed by no more than one percent per year to the policy anniversary specified in the following table based on issue age, and zero percent per year thereafter.
Section 98.9(c)(2)(viii)(e) is amended to read as follows:
For purposes of calculating the net single premium for policies issued on or after January 1, 2007 and prior to January 1, [2011]2014, a lapse rate subject to the same criteria as the lapse rate used in applying clause (b) of this subparagraph may be used.
Section 98.9(c)(2)(viii)(h)(2) is amended to read as follows:
Calculate both net premiums using the maximum allowable valuation interest rate and the minimum mortality standards allowable for calculating basic reserves. However, except for policies issued on or after January 1, 2007 through January 1, [2011]2014, if no future premiums are required to support the guarantee period being valued, there is no reduction for surrender charges.
Section 98.9(c)(2)(viii)(j) is amended to read as follows:
With respect to any policy issued pursuant to this subparagraph, on or after January 1, 2007 and prior to January 1, [2011]2014, the insurer shall annually submit an actuarial opinion and memorandum on or before March 1, in form and substance satisfactory to the superintendent, which satisfies the requirements of Part 95 of this Title (Regulation 126).
Text of proposed rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:
Andrew Mais, New York State Insurance Department, 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004, (212) 480-5257, email: amais@ins.state.ny.us
Data, views or arguments may be submitted to:
Jennifer Roig, New York State Insurance Department, One Commerce Plaza, Albany, NY 12257, (518) 486-6805, email: jroig@ins.state.ny.us
Public comment will be received until:
45 days after publication of this notice.
Regulatory Impact Statement
1. Statutory authority: The Superintendent's authority for the Third Amendment to Regulation No. 147 (11 NYCRR 98) derives from Sections 201, 301, 1304, 1308, 4217, 4218, 4240 and 4517 of the Insurance Law. These sections establish the Superintendent's authority to promulgate regulations governing reserve requirements for life insurers and fraternal benefit societies.
Sections 201 and 301 of the Insurance Law authorize the Superintendent to effectuate any power accorded the Superintendent by the Insurance Law, and prescribe regulations interpreting the Insurance Law.
Section 1304 of the Insurance Law requires every insurer authorized under this chapter to transact the kinds of insurance specified in paragraph one, two or three of subsection (a) of section one thousand one hundred thirteen of this chapter to maintain reserves necessary on account of such insurer's policies, certificates and contracts.
Section 1308 of the Insurance Law describes when reinsurance is permitted, and the effect that reinsurance will have on reserves.
Section 4217 requires the Superintendent to annually value, or cause to be valued, the reserve liabilities ("reserves") for all outstanding policies and contracts of every life insurance company doing business in New York. Section 4217(a)(1) specifies that the Superintendent may certify the amount of any such reserves, specifying the mortality table or tables, rate or rates of interest and methods used in the calculation of the reserves. Reserving has not historically included lapse as a factor in calculations, because it was not relevant to traditional forms of life insurance contracts, and therefore Section 4217 does not expressly include references to lapses. However, new products have been developed that were not contemplated at the time Section 4217 was written, such that lapses may be relevant in reserve calculations in some cases.
Section 4217(c)(6)(C) provides that reserves according to the commissioners reserve valuation method for life insurance policies providing for a varying amount of insurance or requiring the payment of varying premiums shall be calculated by a method consistent with the principles of Section 4217(c)(6).
Section 4217(c)(6)(D) permits the Superintendent to issue, by regulation, guidelines for the application of the reserve valuation provisions for Section 4217 to such policies and contracts as the Superintendent deems appropriate.
Section 4217(c)(9) requires that, in the case of any plan of life insurance that provides for future premium determination, the amounts of which are to be determined by the insurance company based on estimates of future experience, or in the case of any plan of life insurance or annuity that is of such a nature that the minimum reserves cannot be determined by the methods described in Section 4217(c)(6) and Section 4218, the reserves that are held under the plan must be appropriate in relation to the benefits and the pattern of premiums for that plan, and must be computed by a method that is consistent with the principles of Sections 4217 and 4218, as determined by the Superintendent.
Section 4218 requires that when the actual premium charged for life insurance under any life insurance policy is less than the modified net premium calculated on the basis of the commissioners reserve valuation method, the minimum reserve required for the policy shall be the greater of either the reserve calculated according to the mortality table, rate of interest, and method actually used for the policy, or the reserve calculated by the commissioners reserve valuation method replacing the modified net premium by the actual premium charged for the policy in each contract year for which the modified net premium exceeds the actual premium.
Section 4240(d)(6) states that the reserve liability for variable contracts shall be established in accordance with actuarial procedures that recognize the variable nature of the benefits provided and any mortality guarantees provided in the contract. Section 4240(d)(7) states that the Superintendent shall have the power to promulgate regulations, as may be appropriate, to carry out the provisions of this section.
Section 4517(b)(2) provides, for fraternal benefit societies, that reserves according to the commissioners reserve valuation method for life insurance certificates providing for a varying amount of benefits, or requiring the payment of varying premiums, shall be calculated by a method consistent with the principles of subsection (b).
2. Legislative objectives: Maintaining solvency of insurers doing business in New York is a principle focus of the Insurance Law. One fundamental way the Insurance Law seeks to ensure solvency is by requiring all insurers and fraternal benefit societies authorized to do business in New York State to hold reserve funds necessary in relation to the obligations made to policyholders. At the same time, an insurer benefits when the insurer has adequate capital for company uses such as expansion, product innovation, and other forms of business development.
3. Needs and benefits: This amendment to section 98.4(b)(5) of Regulation No. 147 (11 NYCRR 98) is necessary to help ensure the solvency of life insurers doing business in New York. The original version of Regulation No. 147, which incorporated the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Valuation of Life Insurance Policies model regulation (adopted in 1999), was permanently adopted in 2003. In 2004, the Department and other states became aware that some insurers were creating new products in order to avoid the reserve methodologies described in Regulation No. 147. As a result, the NAIC began developing an Actuarial Guideline in 2004 that addressed the concerns of the Department and other regulators by eliminating any perceived ambiguity in the standards for policies issued July 1, 2005 and later. This revision was adopted by the NAIC in October 2005, and Regulation No. 147 thereafter was amended on an emergency basis to reflect the principles of Section 4217 of the Insurance Law and the NAIC standards for policies issued July 1, 2005 and later. The amendment was permanently adopted effective January 10, 2007.
In September 2006, the NAIC adopted a new version of Actuarial Guideline 38, which included provisions on lapse decrements and a separate asset adequacy analysis requirement for certain universal life with secondary guarantee policies. Regulation 147 was thereafter amended again, and the amendments were adopted on December 26, 2007.
In September 2009, the NAIC adopted revisions to its model regulation related to X factors used for calculating deficiency reserves. The purpose of the X factor in the deficiency reserve calculation is to allow companies to adjust the valuation mortality to mortality that approximates the expected mortality experience of the company. Specifically, the NAIC's revisions remove the following provisions: (1) X could not be less than 20%; and (2) X could not decrease in successive policy years. Additionally, the NAIC adopted a new Actuarial Guideline 46, which provides guidance on the interpretation of the calculation of segment length when there is a change in the valuation mortality rates subsequent to issuance of the policy. For policies issued prior to January 1, 2009, the segment length would not need to be recalculated.
The current restrictions on the X factors in Regulation No. 147 prevent some companies from obtaining mortality with a slope similar to their expected mortality. The removal of these restrictions will enable companies to adjust the valuation mortality to mortality that approximates the expected mortality experience of the company. However, in order to safeguard insureds against inappropriate reserve levels by insurers, the Department requires every insurer using X factors to submit an actuarial opinion that states whether the mortality rates resulting from the application of the X factors meet the requirements for deficiency reserves.
Additionally, in September 2010, the NAIC extended the sunset provision in Actuarial Guideline 38, which allowed the use of lapse decrements in the reserve calculations for certain universal life with secondary guarantee policies, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2014.
This amendment to Regulation No. 147 incorporates both the NAIC revisions to the model regulation and the interpretation of the Actuarial Guideline, thus resulting in consistency between the NAIC and New York and promoting regulatory uniformity across the U.S. Companies domiciled in states that do not adopt these changes by December 31, 2009 year-end will be forced to hold higher reserves relative to companies domiciled in states that have adopted these changes.
Adoption of the amendment will decrease reserves on inforce business for New York authorized life insurers - in some cases by a material amount. Given the difficult economic environment in which the insurance industry continues to operate, there is significant pressure to maintain higher risk based capital ("RBC") ratios needed to compete successfully in the marketplace, as well as significant capital costs associated with reserves that are greater than necessary. Redundant reserves cost companies additional money to manage, and thereby increase costs to consumers. Thus, the amendment also will benefit consumers by enabling insurers to keep costs at a reasonable level.
New York authorized insurers will be at a competitive disadvantage if these amendments are not adopted. Failure to implement the changes in New York at the same time they are implemented in other states will make New York authorized companies look weaker financially than their peer companies. If New York authorized insurers are not given the same opportunity as non-New York insurers to reduce their reserves, the lower RBC ratios generated by the higher reserves will create the impression among producers and consumers that there is a real difference in financial stability among the companies - an impression that may negatively impact market share of New York authorized insurers throughout the year.
4. Costs: This amendment provides for lower minimum reserve standards, and an insurer need not modify its current computer systems if it continues to maintain higher reserves.
Administrative costs to most insurers and fraternal benefit societies authorized to do business in New York State will be minimal. Since the majority of the reserve requirements and methodologies included in Regulation No. 147 have been in effect since the adoption of the prior two amendments in 2007, most insurers would only need to update their current computer programs to implement the changes in the X factor requirements for those policies that use an X factor in calculating the deficiency reserves. The Department does not expect any material additional costs to be incurred related to modifications for the calculation of the segment length. An insurer that needs to modify its current system could produce the modifications internally, or if the system was purchased from a consultant, have its consultant produce the modifications. The cost would include the actual modifications, as well as the testing and implementation of the new software. Once the modifications to the system have been developed, no additional costs should be incurred.
Based on an American Council of Life Insurers study, the industry-wide impact of the change in the X factor provisions would be an estimated decrease in reserves of approximately $2 to $3 billion. That, in turn, will result in insurers realizing greater capital. It is not expected that there would be any reserve relief related to the calculation of the segment length. However, in order to safeguard against inappropriate reserve levels, every company using X factors must submit an actuarial opinion that states whether the mortality rates resulting from the application of the X factors meet the requirements for deficiency reserves. The opinion must be supported by an actuarial report which complies with the requirements of the Actuarial Standards of Practice.
Costs to the Insurance Department of this amendment will be minimal, as existing personnel are available to verify that the appropriate reserves are held by insurers for policies affected by the amendment to Regulation No. 147. There are no costs to other government agencies or local governments.
5. Local government mandates: The regulation imposes no new programs, services, duties or responsibilities on any county, city, town, village, school district, fire district or other special district.
6. Paperwork: The amendment to the regulation imposes no new reporting requirements.
7. Duplication: The regulation does not duplicate any existing law or regulation.
8. Alternatives: The only alternative considered by the Department was to not remove the provisions for the X factors and to not include the guidance included in Actuarial Guideline 46 that were adopted by the NAIC in September 2009. The X factor provisions consisted of removing the requirement that X could not be less than 20% and that X could not decrease in successive policy years. The Actuarial Guideline 46 guidance relates to policies issued prior to January 1, 2009, and does not require the contract segments to be recalculated when the valuation mortality rates change after issuance of the policy.
The Department has had numerous discussions with affected insurers and their trade associations, including the Life Insurance Council of New York and American Council of Life Insurers, during the course of the development of a national standard through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. These items are part of a larger capital and surplus relief plan for insurers. Adopting these standards will allow New York insurers to be subject to the same standards that have already been adopted by the NAIC and which are being implemented in other states. Insurers authorized in states that do not adopt these changes will be forced to hold higher reserves relative to companies authorized in states that have adopted these changes and in those circumstances, New York authorized companies would be at a deficit, from the impression that there is a significant difference in financial stability of New York authorized insurers and those authorized outside the state.
9. Federal standards: There are no federal standards in this subject area.
10. Compliance schedule: This amendment to the regulation applies to financial statements filed on or after December 31, 2009. This amendment removes two provisions from the X factors used in calculating deficiency reserves. However, these changes are voluntary, and insurers are not required to make either of these changes. Additionally, these changes would only affect those insurers that use X factors in calculating deficiency reserves. Since the removal of these provisions were already adopted by the NAIC, insurers that wish to incorporate these changes into their reserve methodology should have adequate time to make these changes.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. Small businesses:
The Insurance Department finds that this amendment will not impose any adverse economic impact on small businesses and will not impose any reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements on small businesses. The basis for this finding is that this rule is directed at all insurers and fraternal benefit societies authorized to do business in New York State, none of which falls within the definition of "small business" as found in section 102(8) of the State Administrative Procedure Act. The Insurance Department has reviewed filed Reports on Examination and Annual Statements of authorized insurers and fraternal benefit societies, and believes that none of them fall within the definition of "small business", because there are none that are both independently owned and have under one hundred employees.
2. Local governments:
The amendment does not impose any impacts, including any adverse impacts, or reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements on any local governments.
Rural Area Flexibility Analysis
1. Types and estimated number of rural areas: Insurers and fraternal benefit societies covered by the amendment do business in every county in this state, including rural areas as defined under SAPA 102(10).
2. Reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements; and professional services: There are no reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements associated with this amendment to the regulation. Entities subject to the regulation will not need to engage professional services to comply with the amendment.
3. Costs: This amendment provides for lower minimum standards, and an insurer need not modify its current computer systems if it continues to maintain higher reserves.
Administrative costs to most insurers and fraternal benefit societies authorized to do business in New York State will be minimal. Since the majority of the reserve requirements and methodologies included in Regulation No. 147 have been in effect since the adoption of the prior two amendments in 2007, most insurers would only need to update their current computer programs to implement the changes in the X factor requirements for those policies that use an X factor in calculating the deficiency reserves. The Department does not expect any material additional costs to be incurred related to modifications for the calculation of the segment length. An insurer that needs to modify its current system could produce the modifications internally, or if the system was purchased from a consultant, have its consultant produce the modifications. The cost would include the actual modifications, as well as the testing and implementation of the new software. Once the modifications to the system have been developed, no additional costs should be incurred.
Based on an American Council of Life Insurers study, the industry-wide impact of the change in the X factor provisions would be an estimated decrease in reserves of approximately $2 to $3 billion. That, in turn, will result in insurers realizing greater capital. It is not expected that there would be any reserve relief related to the calculation of the segment length. However, in order to safeguard against inappropriate reserve levels, every company using X factors must submit an actuarial opinion that states whether the mortality rates resulting from the application of the X factors meet the requirements for deficiency reserves. The opinion must be supported by an actuarial report which complies with the requirements of the Actuarial Standards of Practice.
Costs to the Insurance Department of this amendment will be minimal, as existing personnel are available to verify that the appropriate reserves are held by insurers for policies affected by the amendment to Regulation No. 147. There are no costs to other government agencies or local governments.
4. Minimizing adverse impact: The regulation does not impose any adverse impact on rural areas.
5. Rural area participation: The Department has had numerous discussions with affected insurers and their trade associations, including the Life Insurance Council of New York and American Council of Life Insurers, during the course of the development of a national standard through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Job Impact Statement
The Insurance Department finds that this amendment should have no impact on jobs and employment opportunities. This amendment sets standards for setting life insurance reserves for insurers and fraternal benefit societies. Compliance should not require the employment of additional personnel or outside contractors.
