31 Pa. Code § 84c.5 - General requirements for basic reserves and premium deficiency reserves

(a) Basic reserves minimum standard. At the election of the company for any one or more specified plans of life insurance, the minimum mortality standard for basic reserves may be calculated using the 1980 CSO valuation tables (or any other valuation mortality table adopted by the NAIC after May 6, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the Commissioner for the purpose of calculating basic reserves) with select mortality factors. If select mortality factors are elected, they may be one of the following:

(1) The 10-year select mortality factors.

(2) The select mortality factors in Appendix A (relating to select mortality factors).

(3) Any other table of select mortality factors adopted by the NAIC after May 6, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the Commissioner for the purpose of calculating basic reserves.

(b) Deficiency reserves minimum standard. Deficiency reserves, if any, are calculated for each policy as the excess, if greater than zero, of the quantity A over the basic reserve. The quantity A is obtained by recalculating the basic reserve for the policy using guaranteed gross premiums instead of net premiums when the guaranteed gross premiums are less than the corresponding net premiums. At the election of the company for any one or more specified plans of insurance, the quantity A and the corresponding net premiums used in the determination of quantity A may be based upon the 1980 CSO valuation tables (or any other valuation mortality table adopted by the NAIC after May 6, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the Commissioner for the purpose of calculating deficiency reserves) with select mortality factors. If select mortality factors are elected, they may be one of the following:

(1) The 10-year select mortality factors.

(2) The select mortality factors in Appendix A.

(3) For durations in the first segment, X% of the select mortality factors in Appendix A, subject to the following:

(i) X may vary by policy year, policy form, underwriting classification, issue age, or any other policy factor expected to affect mortality experience.

(ii) X is such that, when using the valuation interest rate used for basic reserves, the actuarial present value of future death benefits, calculated using the mortality rates resulting from the application of X, is greater than or equal to the actuarial present value of future death benefits calculated using anticipated mortality experience without recognition of mortality improvement beyond the valuation date.

(iii) X is such that the mortality rates resulting from the application of X are at least as great as the anticipated mortality experience, without recognition of mortality improvement beyond the valuation date, in each of the first 5 years after the valuation date.

(iv) The appointed actuary shall increase X at any valuation date when it is necessary to continue to meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(v) The appointed actuary may decrease X at any valuation date as long as X continues to meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(vi) The appointed actuary shall specifically take into account the adverse effect on expected mortality and lapsation of any anticipated or actual increase in gross premiums.

(vii) If X is less than 100% at any duration for any policy, the following requirements shall be met:

(A) The appointed actuary shall annually prepare an actuarial opinion and memorandum for the company in conformance with § 84b.8 (relating to statement of actuarial opinion based on an asset adequacy analysis).

(B) The appointed actuary shall disclose, in the Regulatory Asset Adequacy Issues Summary, the impact of the insufficiency of assets to support the payment of benefits and expenses and the establishment of statutory reserves during one or more interim periods.

(C) The appointed actuary shall annually opine for all policies subject to this chapter as to whether the mortality rates resulting from the application of X meet the requirements of this paragraph. This opinion shall be supported by an actuarial report, subject to appropriate Actuarial Standards of Practice promulgated by the Actuarial Standards Board of the American Academy of Actuaries. The X factors shall reflect anticipated future mortality, without recognition of mortality improvement beyond the valuation date, taking into account relevant emerging experience.

(4) Any other table of select mortality factors adopted by the NAIC after May 6, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the Commissioner for the purpose of calculating deficiency reserves.

(c) Application of select mortality factors. The select mortality factors may be used in calculating the minimum mortality standard for basic and deficiency reserves only for the first segment. However, if the first segment is less than 10 years, the appropriate 10-year select mortality factors may be used thereafter through the 10th policy year from the date of issue.

(d) Policy fees. In determining basic reserves or deficiency reserves, guaranteed gross premiums without policy fees may be used when the calculation involves the guaranteed gross premium but only if the policy fee is a level dollar amount after the first policy year. In determining deficiency reserves, policy fees may be included in guaranteed gross premiums, even if not included in the actual calculation of basic reserves.

(e) Changes in guarantees. Reserves for policies that have changes to guaranteed gross premiums, guaranteed benefits, guaranteed charges or guaranteed credits that are unilaterally made by the insurer after issue and that are effective for more than 1 year after the date of the change shall be the greatest of the following:

(1) Reserves calculated ignoring the guarantee.

(2) Reserves assuming the guarantee was made at issue.

(3) Reserves assuming that the policy was issued on the date of the guarantee.

(f) Documentation. The Commissioner may require that the company document the extent of the adequacy of reserves for specified blocks, including policies issued prior to May 6, 2000. This documentation may include a demonstration of the extent to which aggregation with other nonspecified blocks of business is relied upon in the formation of the appointed actuary opinion under and consistent with § 84b.8.

Notes

31 Pa. Code § 84c.5

The provisions of this § 84c.5 amended January 28, 2011, effective 3/30/2011, 41 Pa.B. 600.

This section cited in 31 Pa. Code § 84c.3 (relating to definitions); and 31 Pa. Code § 84c.7 (relating to minimum valuation standard for universal life insurance policies that contain provisions resulting in the ability of a policyowner to keep a policy in force over a secondary guarantee period).