West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 114 - Insurance Commission
Title 114 - LEGISLATIVE RULE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Series 114-41 - Actuarial Opinion And Memorandum Rule
Section 114-41-5 - Statement of Actuarial Opinion Based on an Asset Adequacy Analysis

Universal Citation: 114 WV Code of State Rules 114-41-5

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024

5.1. General Description. The statement of actuarial opinion required by this section shall consist of:

5.1.a. A paragraph identifying the appointed actuary and his or her qualifications (see paragraphs 1 and 2, subdivision a, subsection 5.2 of this section);

5.1.b. 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 that have been analyzed for asset adequacy and the method of analysis (see subdivision b, subsection 5.2 of this section) and identifying the reserves and related actuarial items covered by the opinion that have not been so analyzed;

5.1.c. A reliance paragraph describing those areas, if any, where the appointed actuary has deferred to other experts in developing date, procedures or assumptions, (e.g., anticipated cash flows from currently owned assets, including variation in cash flows according to economic scenarios;

5.1.d. An opinion paragraph expressing the appointed actuary's opinion with respect to the adequacy of the supporting assets to mature the liabilities; and

5.1.e. One or more additional paragraphs will be needed in individual company cases as follows:
5.1.e.1. If the appointed actuary considers it necessary to state a qualification of his or her opinion;

5.1.e.2. 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;

5.1.e.3. If the appointed actuary must disclose whether additional reserves as of the prior opinion date are released as of this opinion date, and the extent of the release; and

5.1.e.4. If the appointed actuary chooses to add a paragraph briefly describing the assumptions that form the basis for the actuarial opinion.

5.2. 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.

5.2.a. The opening paragraph should generally indicate the appointed actuary's relationship to the company and his or her qualifications to sign the opinion.
5.2.a.1. 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 health companies."

5.2.a.2. 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 health insurance companies."

5.2.b. 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, []. Tabulated below are those reserves and related actuarial items which have been subjected to asset adequacy analysis."

*See Table I

5.2.c.
5.2.c.1. 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" or "certain critical aspects of the analysis performed in conjunction with forming my opinion"] as certified in the attached statement. I have reviewed the information relied upon for reasonableness."

5.2.c.2. A statement of reliance on other experts should be accompanied by a statement by each of the experts in the form prescribed by paragraph 5, subdivision f, subsection 5.2 of this rule.

5.2.d. If the appointed actuary has examined the underlying asset and liability records, the reliance paragraph should include a statement such as 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. I also reconciled the underlying basic asset and liability records to [exhibits and schedules listed as applicable] of the company's current annual statement."

5.2.e.
5.2.e.1. If the appointed actuary has not examined the underlying records, but has relied upon data (e.g., listings and summaries of policies in force or asset records) prepared by the company, the reliance paragraph should include a statement such as the following:

"In forming my opinion on [specify types of reserves] I relied upon data prepared by [name and title of company officer certifying in-force records or other data] as certified in the attached statements. I evaluated that data for reasonableness and consistency. I also reconciled that data to [exhibits and schedules to be listed as applicable] of the company's current annual statement. In other respects, my examination included review of the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods used and tests of the calculations I considered necessary."

5.2.e.2. The section shall be accompanied by a statement by each person relied upon in the form prescribed by subsection 5.5 of this rule.

5.2.f. The opinion paragraph should include a statement such as the following:

"In my opinion the reserves and related actuarial values concerning the statement items identified above:

5.2.f.1. Are computed in accordance with presently accepted actuarial standards consistently applied and are fairly stated, in accordance with sound actuarial principles;

5.2.f.2. Are based on actuarial assumptions that 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;

5.2.f.3. Meet the requirements of the Insurance Law and regulation 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;

5.2.f.4. 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); and

5.2.f.5. 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 the 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. (At the discretion of the Commissioner, this language may be omitted for an opinion filed on behalf of a company doing business only in this state and in no other state.)

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 changes 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.) Note: Choose one of the above two paragraphs, whichever is applicable.

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

____________________

Date

5.3. Assumptions for New Issues. The adoption for new issues or new claims or other new liabilities of an actuarial assumption that 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 rule.

5.4. 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 reasons for the opinion. This statement should follow the scope paragraph and precede the opinion paragraph.

5.5. Reliance on Data Furnished by Other Persons. If the appointed actuary relies on the certification of others on matters concerning the accuracy and completeness of any data underlying the actuarial opinion, or the appropriateness of any other information used by the appointed actuary in forming the actuarial opinion, the actuarial opinion should so indicate the persons the actuary is relying upon and a precise identification of the items subject to reliance. In addition, the persons on whom the appointed actuary relies shall provide a certification that precisely identifies the items on which the person is providing information and a statement as to the accuracy, completeness or reasonableness, as applicable, of the items. This certification shall include the signature, title, company, address and telephone number of the person rendering the certification, as well as the date on which it is signed.

5.6. Alternate Option.

5.6.a. The Standard Valuation Law gives the Commissioner broad authority to accept the valuation of a foreign insurer when that valuation meets the requirements applicable to a company domiciled in this state in the aggregate. As an alternative to the statement set forth in paragraph 3 of the opinion paragraph in subdivision f of subsection 5.2 above, the Commissioner may make one or more of the following additional approaches available to the opining actuary:
5.6.a.1. A statement that the reserves "meet the requirements of the insurance laws and regulations of the State of [state of domicile] and the formal written standards and conditions of this state for filing an opinion based on the law of the state of domicile." If the Commissioner chooses to allow this alternative, a formal written list of standards and conditions shall be made available. If a company chooses to use this alternative, the standards and conditions in effect on July 1 of a calendar year shall apply to statements for that calendar year, and they shall remain in effect until they are revised or revoked. If no list is available, this alternative is not available.

5.6.a.2. A statement that the reserves "meet the requirements of the insurance laws and regulations of the State of [state of domicile] and I have verified that the company's request to file an opinion based on the law of the state of domicile has been approved and that any conditions required by the Commissioner for approval of that request have been met." If the Commissioner chooses to allow this alternative, a formal written statement of such allowance shall be issued no later than March 31 of the year it is first effective. It shall remain valid until rescinded or modified by the Commissioner. The rescission or modifications shall be issued no later than March 31 of the year they are first effective. Subsequent to that statement being issued, if a company chooses to use this alternative, the company shall file a request to do so, along with justification for its use, no later than April 30 of the year of the opinion to be filed. The request shall be deemed approved on October 1 of that year if the Commissioner has not denied the request by that date.

5.6.a.3. A statement that the reserves "meet the requirements of the insurance laws and regulations of the State of [state of domicile] and I have submitted the required comparison as specified by this state."
5.6.a.3.A. If the Commissioner chooses to allow this alternative, a formal written list of products (to be added to the table in subparagraph (ii) below) for which the required comparison shall be provided will be published. If a company chooses to use this alternative, the list in effect on July 1 of a calendar year shall apply to statements for that calendar year, and it shall remain in effect until it is revised or revoked. If no list is available, this alternative is not available.

5.6.a.3.B. If a company desires to use this alternative, the appointed actuary shall provide a comparison of the gross nationwide reserves held to the gross nationwide reserves that would be held under NAIC codification standards. Gross nationwide reserves are the total reserves calculated for the total company in force business directly sold and assumed, indifferent to the state in which the risk resides, without reduction for reinsurance ceded. The information provided shall be at least:

(1) Product Type

(2) Death Benefit or Account Value

(3) Reserves Held

(4) Codification Reserves

(5) Codification Standard

5.6.a.3.C. The information listed shall include all products identified by either the state of filing or any other states subscribing to this alternative.

5.6.a.3.D. If there is no codification standard for the type of product or risk in force or if the codification standard does not directly address the type of product or risk in force, the appointed actuary shall provide detailed disclosure of the specific method and assumptions used in determining the reserves held.

5.6.a.3.E. The comparison provided by the company is to be kept confidential to the same extent and under the same conditions as the actuarial memorandum.

5.6.b. Notwithstanding the above, the Commissioner may reject an opinion based on the laws and regulations of the state of domicile and require an opinion based on the laws of this state. If a company is unable to provide the opinion within sixty (60) days of the request or such other period of time determined by the Commissioner after consultation with the company, the Commissioner may contract an independent actuary at the company's expense to prepare and file the opinion.

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