Section 40. General calculation requirements for basic reserves and premium deficiency reserves

A. 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 with select mortality factors, or any other valuation mortality table adopted by the NAIC on or after January 1, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the commission for this purpose. If select mortality factors are elected, they may be:

1. The 10-year select mortality factors incorporated into the 1980 amendments to the NAIC Standard Valuation Law;

2. The 20-year select mortality factors in 14VAC5-319-70; or

3. Any other table of select mortality factors adopted by the NAIC on or after January 1, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the commission for the purpose of calculating basic reserves.

B. Deficiency reserves, if any, are calculated for each policy as the excess, if greater than 0, 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 with select mortality factors, or any other valuation mortality table adopted by the NAIC on or after January 1, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the commission.

1. If select mortality factors are elected, they may be:

a. The 10-year select mortality factors incorporated into the 1980 amendments to the NAIC Standard Valuation Law;

b. The 20-year select mortality factors in 14VAC5-319-70;

c. For durations in the first segment, X percent of the 20-year select mortality factors in 14VAC5-319-70, subject to the conditions set forth in subdivisions B 2 and B 3 of this section; or

d. Any other table of select mortality factors adopted by the NAIC after January 1, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the commission for the purpose of calculating deficiency reserves.

2. When calculating X as provided by this section, the following shall apply:

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

b. X is such that, when using the valuation interest rate used for basic reserves, subdivision (1) is greater than or equal to subdivision (2), as follows:

(1) The actuarial present value of future death benefits, calculated using the mortality rates resulting from the application of X;

(2) The actuarial present value of future death benefits calculated using anticipated mortality experience without recognition of mortality improvement beyond the valuation date;

c. 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 five years after the valuation date;

d. The appointed actuary shall increase X at any valuation date where it is necessary to continue to meet all the requirements of subdivisions B 2 and B 3 of this section;

e. The appointed actuary may decrease X at any valuation date as long as X continues to meet all the requirements of subdivisions B 2 and B 3 of this section; and

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

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

a. The appointed actuary annually shall prepare an actuarial opinion and memorandum for the company in conformance with the requirements of 14VAC5-310-90;

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; and

c. The appointed actuary annually shall opine for all policies subject to this regulation as to whether the mortality rates resulting from the application of X meet the requirements of subdivisions B 2 and B 3 of this section. 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.

C. This subsection applies to both basic reserves and deficiency reserves. Any set of select mortality factors may be used only for the first segment. However, if the first segment is less than 10 years, the appropriate 10-year select mortality factors incorporated into the 1980 amendments to the NAIC Standard Valuation Law may be used thereafter through the tenth policy year from the date of issue.

D. In determining basic reserves or deficiency reserves, guaranteed gross premiums without policy fees may be used where the calculation involves the guaranteed gross premium 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. Reserves for policies that have changes to guaranteed gross premiums, guaranteed benefits, guaranteed charges or guaranteed credits that are unilaterally made by the company after issue and that are effective for more than one year after the date of the change shall be the greatest of the following: (i) reserves calculated ignoring the guarantee, (ii) reserves assuming the guarantee was made at issue, and (iii) reserves assuming that the policy was issued on the date of the guarantee.

F. The commission may require that the company document the extent of the adequacy of reserves for specified blocks, including but not limited to policies issued prior to January 1, 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 pursuant to and consistent with the requirements of 14VAC5-310-90.

G. This section is effective for valuations on and after December 31, 2008.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 16, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 04, eff. September 30, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.