14VAC5-321 Use of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Benefits

REGULATIONS

Vol. 31 Iss. 9 - December 29, 2014

TITLE 14. INSURANCE

STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

Chapter 321

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The State Corporation Commission is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4002 A 2 of the Code of Virginia, which exempts courts, any agency of the Supreme Court, and any agency that by the Constitution is expressly granted any of the powers of a court of record.

Titles of Regulations: 14VAC5-70. Rules Governing Accelerated Benefits Provisions (amending 14VAC5-70-130).

14VAC5-200. Rules Governing Long-Term Care Insurance (amending 14VAC5-200-140, 14VAC5-200-153).

14VAC5-310. Rules Governing Actuarial Opinions and Memoranda (amending 14VAC5-310-10 through 14VAC5-310-50, 14VAC5-310-90).

14VAC5-319. Life Insurance Reserves (amending 14VAC5-319-10).

14VAC5-321. Use of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Benefits (amending 14VAC5-321-10, 14VAC5-321-30, 14VAC5-321-40).

14VAC5-322. Use of the 2001 CSO Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities (amending 14VAC5-322-10).

14VAC5-323. Rules Governing Preneed Life Insurance Minimum Standards for Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Values (amending 14VAC5-323-10, 14VAC5-323-40, 14VAC5-323-50).

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

Effective Date: January 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Raquel C. Pino, Principal Insurance Analyst, Bureau of Insurance, State Corporation Commission, P.O. Box 1157, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone [phone], FAX [phone], or email [e-mail].

Summary:

The amendments update the Code of Virginia citations that will be effective January 1, 2015, to reflect changes enacted by Chapter 571 of the 2014 Acts of Assembly. Chapter 571 is based on revisions to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Standard Valuation Law model, which was adopted by the NAIC in 2009. The revised model authorizes a principle-based reserve (PBR) basis for life, annuity, and accident and health contracts, and requires the use of a Valuation Manual, which contains both PBR and non-PBR requirements, as well as actuarial opinion and corporate governance requirements.

AT RICHMOND, DECEMBER 3, 2014

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, ex rel.

STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

CASE NO. INS-2014-00202

Ex Parte: In the matter of Amending the
Rules Governing Accelerated Benefits Provisions;
the Rules Governing Long-Term Care Insurance;
the Rules Governing Actuarial Opinions and Memoranda;
Life Insurance Reserves; Use of the 2001 CSO
Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities
and Nonforfeiture Benefits; Use of the 2001 CSO
Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table in
Determining Reserve Liabilities; and
Preneed Life Insurance Minimum Standards for Determining
Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Values

ORDER ADOPTING RULES

By Order to Take Notice ("Order") entered September 16, 2014¹, all interested parties were ordered to take notice that subsequent to October 31, 2014, the State Corporation Commission ("Commission") would consider the entry of an order to adopt amendments to the rules set forth in Chapters 70, 200, 310, 319, 321, 322, and 323 of Title 14 of the Virginia Administrative Code, entitled Rules Governing Accelerated Benefits Provisions, 14 VAC 5-70-10 et seq.; Rules Governing Long-Term Care Insurance, 14 VAC 5-200-10 et seq.; Rules Governing Actuarial Opinions and Memoranda, 14 VAC 5-310-10 et seq.; Life Insurance Reserves, 14 VAC 5-319-10 et seq.; Use of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Benefits, 14 VAC 5-321-10 et seq.; Use of the 2001 CSO Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities, 14 VAC 5-322-10 et seq.; and Preneed Life Insurance Minimum Standards for Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Values, 14 VAC 5-323-10 et seq. (collectively, "Rules"), respectively, which amend the Rules at 14 VAC 5-70-130; 14 VAC 5-200-140; 14 VAC 5-200-153; 14 VAC 5-310-10 through 14 VAC 5-310-50; 14 VAC 5-310-90; 14 VAC 5-319-10; 14 VAC 5-321-10; 14 VAC 5-321-30; 14 VAC 5-321-40; 14 VAC 5-322-10; 14 VAC 5-323-10; 14 VAC 5-323-40; and 14 VAC 5-323-50.

These amendments were proposed by the Bureau of Insurance ("Bureau") to implement the provisions of House Bill 631 passed by the 2014 General Assembly, which amends the Code of Virginia ("Code") by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 38.2 of the Code an Article numbered 10, consisting of sections numbered 38.2-1365 through 38.2-1385 of the Code. The new sections of the Code authorize a principle-based reserve ("PBR") basis for life, annuity, and accident and health contracts, and require the use of a Valuation Manual that contains both PBR and non-PBR requirements, as well as actuarial opinion and corporate governance requirements. The amendments to the Rules replace the current citations to Title 38.2 of the Code with citations that will be effective on January 1, 2015.

The Order required that on or before October 31, 2014, any person requesting a hearing on the amendments to the Rules shall have filed such request for a hearing with the Clerk of the Commission ("Clerk"). No request for a hearing was filed with the Clerk.

The Order also required all interested persons to file with the Clerk their comments in support of or in opposition to the amendments to the Rules on or before October 31, 2014. No comments were filed with the Clerk.

The Bureau recommends that the amendments to the Rules be adopted as proposed.

NOW THE COMMISSION, having considered this matter, is of the opinion that the Rules should be adopted as amended and revised.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

(1) The proposed amendments to Rules Governing Accelerated Benefits Provisions; Rules Governing Long-Term Care Insurance; Rules Governing Actuarial Opinions and Memoranda; Life Insurance Reserves; Use of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Benefits; Use of the 2001 CSO Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table in Determining Reserve Liabilities; and Preneed Life Insurance Minimum Standards for Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Values, which amend the Rules at 14 VAC 5-70-130; 14 VAC 5-200-140; 14 VAC 5-200-153; 14 VAC 5-310-10 through 14 VAC 5-310-50; 14 VAC 5-310-90; 14 VAC 5-319-10; 14 VAC 5-321-10; 14 VAC 5-321-30; 14 VAC 5-321-40; 14 VAC 5-322-10; 14 VAC 5-323-10; 14 VAC 5-323-40; and 14 VAC 5-323-50, which are attached hereto and made a part hereof, are hereby ADOPTED to be effective January 1, 2015.

(2) AN ATTESTED COPY hereof, together with a copy of the adopted Rules, shall be sent by the Clerk to the Bureau in care of Deputy Commissioner Douglas C. Stolte, who forthwith shall give further notice of the adopted Rules by mailing a copy of this Order, together with the adopted Rules, to every entity that is licensed, approved, registered, or accredited in Virginia under the provisions of Title 38.2 of the Code and also subject to solvency regulation in this Commonwealth pursuant to the provisions of Title 38.2 of the Code, as well as to all interested parties.

(3) The Commission's Division of Information Resources forthwith shall cause a copy of this Order, together with the adopted Rules, to be forwarded to the Virginia Registrar of Regulations for appropriate publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations.

(4) This Order and the attached adopted Rules shall be posted on the Commission's website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

(5) The Bureau shall file with the Clerk an affidavit of compliance with the notice requirements of Ordering Paragraph (2) above.

(6) This case is dismissed, and the papers filed herein shall be placed in the file for ended causes.

_____________________

¹ Doc. Con. Cen. No. 140920130.

14VAC5-70-130. Actuarial disclosure and reserves.

A. A qualified actuary shall be required to describe the accelerated benefits, the risks, the expected costs and the calculation of statutory reserves in an actuarial memorandum accompanying each filing. The insurer shall maintain in its files descriptions of the bases and procedures used to calculate benefits payable under these provisions. These descriptions shall be made available for examination by the commission upon request.

B. 1. When benefits are provided through the acceleration of benefits under group or individual life policies or riders to such policies, policy reserves shall be determined in accordance with §§ 38.2-3126 38.2-1365 through 38.2-3144 38.2-1385 of the Code of Virginia. All valuation assumptions used in constructing the reserves shall be determined as appropriate for statutory valuation purposes by a member in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries. Mortality tables and interest currently recognized for life insurance reserves by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners may be used as well as appropriate assumptions for the other provisions incorporated in the policy form. The actuary must follow both actuarial standards and certification for good and sufficient reserves. Reserves in the aggregate should be sufficient to cover:

a. Policies upon which no claim has yet arisen.

b. Policies upon which an accelerated claim has arisen.

2. For policies and certificates which provide actuarially equivalent benefits, no additional reserves need to be established.

3. Policy liens and policy loans, including accrued interest, represent assets of the company for statutory reporting purposes. For any policy on which the policy lien exceeds the policy's statutory reserve liability such excess must be held as a nonadmitted asset.

14VAC5-200-140. Reserve standards.

A. When long-term care benefits are provided through the acceleration of benefits under group or individual life policies or riders to such policies, policy reserves for such benefits shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 7 of § 38.2-3130 38.2-1369 of the Code of Virginia. Claim reserves must also be established in the case when such policy or rider is in claim status. Reserves for policies and riders subject to this subsection should be based on the multiple decrement model utilizing all relevant decrements except for voluntary termination rates. Single decrement approximations are acceptable if the calculation produces essentially similar reserves, if the reserve is clearly more conservative, or if the reserve is immaterial. The calculations may take into account the reduction in life insurance benefits due to the payment of long-term care benefits. However, in no event shall the reserves for the long-term care benefit and the life insurance benefit be less than the reserves for the life insurance benefit assuming no long-term care benefit. In the development and calculation of reserves for policies and riders subject to this subsection, due regard shall be given to the applicable policy provisions, marketing methods, administrative procedures and all other considerations which have an impact on projected claim costs, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Definition of insured events;

2. Covered long-term care facilities;

3. Existence of home convalescence care coverage;

4. Definition of facilities;

5. Existence or absence of barriers to eligibility;

6. Premium waiver provision;

7. Renewability;

8. Ability to raise premiums;

9. Marketing method;

10. Underwriting procedures;

11. Claims adjustment procedures;

12. Waiting period;

13. Maximum benefit;

14. Availability of eligible facilities;

15. Margins in claim costs;

16. Optional nature of benefit;

17. Delay in eligibility for benefit;

18. Inflation protection provisions; and

19. Guaranteed insurability option.

Any applicable valuation morbidity table shall be certified as appropriate as a statutory valuation table by a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

B. When long-term care benefits are provided other than as in Subsection subsection A above of this section, reserves shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 7 of § 38.2-3130 of the Code of Virginia 14VAC5-320.

14VAC5-200-153. Premium rate schedule increases.

A. This section applies to any long-term care policy or certificate issued in this Commonwealth on or after October 1, 2003.

B. An insurer shall request the commission's approval of a pending premium rate schedule increase, including an exceptional increase, prior to the notice to the policyholders and shall include:

1. Information required by 14VAC5-200-75;

2. Certification by a qualified actuary that:

a. If the requested premium rate schedule increase is implemented and the underlying assumptions, which reflect moderately adverse conditions, are realized, no further premium rate schedule increases are anticipated;

b. The premium rate filing is in compliance with the provisions of this section;

3. An actuarial memorandum justifying the rate schedule change request that includes:

a. Lifetime projections of earned premiums and incurred claims based on the filed premium rate schedule increase; and the method and assumptions used in determining the projected values, including reflection of any assumptions that deviate from those used for pricing other forms currently available for sale;

(1) Annual values for the five years preceding and the three years following the valuation date shall be provided separately;

(2) The projections shall include the development of the lifetime loss ratio, unless the rate increase is an exceptional increase;

(3) The projections shall demonstrate compliance with subsection C of this section; and

(4) For exceptional increases,

(a) The projected experience should be limited to the increases in claims expenses attributable to the approved reasons for the exceptional increase; and

(b) In the event the commission determines as provided in the definition of exceptional increase in 14VAC5-200-40 that offsets may exist, the insurer shall use appropriate net projected experience;

b. Disclosure of how reserves have been incorporated in this rate increase whenever the rate increase will trigger contingent benefit upon lapse;

c. Disclosure of the analysis performed to determine why a rate adjustment is necessary, which pricing assumptions were not realized and why, and what other actions taken by the company have been relied on by the actuary;

d. A statement that policy design, underwriting and claims adjudication practices have been taken into consideration; and

e. In the event that it is necessary to maintain consistent premium rates for new policies and policies receiving a rate increase, the insurer will need to file composite rates reflecting projections of new policies;

4. A statement that renewal premium rate schedules are not greater than new business premium rate schedules except for differences attributable to benefits, unless sufficient justification is provided to the commission; and

5. Sufficient information for review and approval of the premium rate schedule increase by the commission.

C. All premium rate schedule increases shall be determined in accordance with the following requirements:

1. Exceptional increases shall provide that 70% of the present value of projected additional premiums from the exceptional increase will be returned to policyholders in benefits;

2. Premium rate schedule increases shall be calculated such that the sum of the accumulated value of incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, and the present value of future projected incurred claims, without the inclusion of active life reserves, will not be less than the sum of the following:

a. The accumulated value of the initial earned premium times 58%;

b. Eighty-five percent of the accumulated value of prior premium rate schedule increases on an earned basis;

c. The present value of future projected initial earned premiums times 58%; and

d. Eighty-five percent of the present value of future projected premiums not in subdivision 2 c of this subsection on an earned basis;

3. In the event that a policy form has both exceptional and other increases, the values in subdivisions 2 b and d of this subsection will also include 70% for exceptional rate increase amounts; and

4. All present and accumulated values used to determine rate increases shall use the maximum valuation interest rate for contract reserves as specified in § 38.2-3132 of the Code of Virginia 14VAC5-320. The actuary shall disclose as part of the actuarial memorandum the use of any appropriate averages.

D. For each rate increase that is implemented, the insurer shall file for approval by the commission updated projections, as defined in subdivision B 3 a of this section, annually for the next three years and include a comparison of actual results to projected values. The commission may extend the period to greater than three years if actual results are not consistent with projected values from prior projections. For group insurance policies that meet the conditions in subsection K of this section, the projections required by subdivision B 3 a of this section shall be provided to the policyholder in lieu of filing with the commission.

E. If any increased premium rate in the revised premium rate schedule is greater than 200% of the comparable rate in the initial premium schedule, the premiums exceeding 200% shall be clearly identified and lifetime projections, as defined in subdivision B 3 a of this section, shall be filed for approval by the commission every five years following the end of the required period in subsection D of this section. For group insurance policies that meet the conditions in subsection K of this section, the projections required by this subsection shall be provided to the policyholder in lieu of filing with the commission.

F. 1. If the commission has determined that the actual experience following a rate increase does not adequately match the projected experience and that the current projections under moderately adverse conditions demonstrate that incurred claims will not exceed proportions of premiums specified in subsection C of this section, the commission may require the insurer to implement any of the following:

a. Premium rate schedule adjustments; or

b. Other measures to reduce the difference between the projected and actual experience.

It is to be expected that the actual experience will not exactly match the insurer's projections. During the period that projections are monitored as described in subsections D and E of this section, the commission should determine that there is not an adequate match if the differences in earned premiums and incurred claims are not in the same direction (both actual values higher or lower than projections) or the difference as a percentage of the projected is not of the same order.

2. In determining whether the actual experience adequately matches the projected experience, consideration should be given to subdivision B 3 e of this section, if applicable.

G. If the majority of the policies or certificates to which the increase is applicable are eligible for the contingent benefit upon lapse, the insurer shall file:

1. A plan, subject to commission approval, for improved administration or claims processing designed to eliminate the potential for further deterioration of the policy form requiring further premium rate schedule increases or to demonstrate that appropriate administration and claims processing have been implemented or are in effect; otherwise the commission may impose the condition in subsection H of this section; and

2. The original anticipated lifetime loss ratio, and the premium rate schedule increase that would have been calculated according to subsection C of this section had the greater of the original anticipated lifetime loss ratio or 58% been used in the calculations described in subdivisions C 2 a and c of this section.

H. 1. For a rate increase filing that meets the following criteria, the commission shall review, for all policies included in the filing, the projected lapse rates and past lapse rates during the 12 months following each increase to determine if significant adverse lapsation has occurred or is anticipated:

a. The rate increase is not the first rate increase requested for the specific policy form or forms;

b. The rate increase is not an exceptional increase; and

c. The majority of the policies or certificates to which the increase is applicable are eligible for the contingent benefit upon lapse.

2. In the event significant adverse lapsation has occurred, is anticipated in the filing or is evidenced in the actual results as presented in the updated projections provided by the insurer following the requested rate increase, the commission may determine that a rate spiral exists. Following the determination that a rate spiral exists, the commission may require the insurer to offer, without underwriting, to all in force insureds subject to the rate increase the option to replace existing coverage with any other long-term care insurance product being offered by the insurer or its affiliates.

a. The offer shall:

(1) Be subject to the approval of the commission;

(2) Be based on actuarially sound principles, but not be based on attained age; and

(3) Provide that maximum benefits under any new policy accepted by an insured shall be reduced by comparable benefits already paid under the existing policy.

b. The insurer shall maintain the experience of all the replacement insureds separate from the experience of insureds originally issued the policy forms. In the event of a request for a rate increase on the policy form, the rate increase shall be limited to the lesser of:

(1) The maximum rate increase determined based on the combined experience; or

(2) The maximum rate increase determined based only on the experience of the insureds originally issued the form plus 10%.

I. If the commission determines that the insurer has exhibited a persistent practice of filing inadequate initial premium rates for long-term care insurance, the commission may, in addition to the provisions of subsection H of this section, prohibit the insurer from either of the following:

1. Filing and marketing comparable coverage for a period of up to five years; or

2. Offering all other similar coverages and limiting marketing of new applications to the products subject to recent premium rate schedule increases.

J. Subsections A through I of this section shall not apply to policies for which the long-term care benefits provided by the policy are incidental, as defined in 14VAC5-200-40, if the policy complies with all of the following provisions:

1. The interest credited internally to determine cash value accumulations, including long-term care, if any, are guaranteed not to be less than the minimum guaranteed interest rate for cash value accumulations without long-term care set forth in the policy;

2. The portion of the policy that provides insurance benefits other than long-term care coverage meets the nonforfeiture requirements as applicable in any of the following:

a. Sections 38.2-3200 through 38.2-3218 of the Code of Virginia, and

b. Sections 38.2-3219 through 38.2-3229 of the Code of Virginia;

3. The policy meets the disclosure requirements of §§ 38.2-5207.1 and 38.2-5207.2 of the Code of Virginia;

4. The portion of the policy that provides insurance benefits other than long-term care coverage meets the requirements as applicable in the following:

a. Policy illustrations as required by 14VAC5-40 14VAC5-41; and

b. Disclosure requirements in 14VAC5-40 14VAC5-41;

5. An actuarial memorandum is filed with the commission that includes:

a. A description of the basis on which the long-term care rates were determined;

b. A description of the basis for the reserves;

c. A summary of the type of policy, benefits, renewability, general marketing method, and limits on ages of issuance;

d. A description and a table of each actuarial assumption used. For expenses, an insurer shall include percent of premium dollars per policy and dollars per unit of benefits, if any;

e. A description and a table of the anticipated policy reserves and additional reserves to be held in each future year for active lives;

f. The estimated average annual premium per policy and the average issue age;

g. A statement as to whether underwriting is performed at the time of application. The statement shall indicate whether underwriting is used and, if used, the statement shall include a description of the type or types of underwriting used, such as medical underwriting or functional assessment underwriting. Concerning a group policy, the statement shall indicate whether the enrollee or any dependent will be underwritten and when underwriting occurs; and

h. A description of the effect of the long-term care policy provision on the required premiums, nonforfeiture values and reserves on the underlying insurance policy, both for active lives and those in long-term care claim status.

K. Subsections F and H of this section shall not apply to group insurance policies as defined in subsections A and C of § 38.2-3521.1 of the Code of Virginia where:

1. The policies insure 250 or more persons and the policyholder has 5,000 or more eligible employees of a single employer; or

2. The policyholder, and not the certificateholders, pays a material portion of the premium, which shall not be less than 20% of the total premium for the group in the calendar year prior to the year a rate increase is filed.

14VAC5-310-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter (14VAC5-310) is to prescribe:

1. Requirements for statements of actuarial opinion that are to be submitted in accordance with § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia, and for memoranda in support thereof;

2. Rules applicable to the appointment of an appointed actuary; and

3. Guidance as to the meaning of "adequacy of reserves."

14VAC5-310-20. Authority; effective date.

This chapter (14VAC5-310) is adopted and promulgated by the commission pursuant to §§ 12.1-13, 38.2-223, and 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia. This chapter will take effect for annual statements for the year-ending December 31, 1992. Except as otherwise specifically provided, revisions to this chapter shall be effective upon adoption by the commission and applicable as to annual statements and actuarial opinions, memoranda, and statements of reserves filed with the commission for periods ending on or after December 31 of the year in which the revision is adopted.

14VAC5-310-30. Scope.

A. This chapter (14VAC5-310) shall apply to all companies subject to the provisions of § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia, including fraternal benefit societies licensed under Chapter 41 (§ 38.2-4100 et seq.) of Title 38.2 and all other companies licensed under Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia to write and reinsure policies or agreements providing any form of life, life insurance, or annuity benefits as those terms are defined in §§ 38.2-102 through 38.2-107.1 of the Code of Virginia and also to any life insurer authorized to write or reinsure accident and sickness insurance as defined in § 38.2-109 of the Code of Virginia.

B. This chapter shall be applied in a manner that allows the appointed actuary to utilize professional judgment in performing the asset analysis and developing the actuarial opinion and supporting memoranda, consistent with relevant actuarial standards of practice unless the commission determines particular specifications are necessary for an acceptable opinion to be rendered relative to the adequacy of reserves and related items. Particular specifications, including specific methods of actuarial analysis and actuarial assumptions, may be promulgated by rule or order of the commission or by an administrative letter issued by the Commissioner of Insurance.

C. This chapter, as reflected in rules adopted by the commission by order entered November 5, 1992, in Case No. INS920377, shall be applicable to all annual statements filed with the commission on or after December 15, 1992, and before December 31, 2003. On and after December 31, 2003, a statement of opinion on the adequacy of the reserves and related actuarial items based on an asset adequacy analysis in accordance with 14VAC5-310-80, and a memorandum in support thereof in accordance with 14VAC5-310-90, shall be required each year in accordance with rules as revised and adopted by order of the commission entered in Case No. INS-2003-00165.

14VAC5-310-40. Definitions.

As used in this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Actuarial opinion" means the opinion of an appointed actuary regarding the adequacy of reserves and related actuarial items based on an asset adequacy analysis in accordance with 14VAC5-310-80 and with applicable Actuarial Standards of Practice.

"Actuarial Standards Board" means the board established by the American Academy of Actuaries to develop and promulgate standards of actuarial practice.

"Annual statement" means that statement required by § 38.2-1300 of the Code of Virginia to be filed by the company with the commission annually.

"Appointed actuary" means any individual who is appointed or retained in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14VAC5-310-50 C to provide the actuarial opinion and supporting memorandum as required by § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia.

"Asset adequacy analysis" means an analysis that meets the standards and other requirements referred to in 14VAC5-310-50 D.

"Commission" means the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Insurance in Virginia unless specific reference is made to another state, in which case "commissioner" means the Insurance Commissioner, Director, Superintendent or other supervising regulatory official of a given state who is responsible for administering the insurance laws of that state.

"Company" means a life insurer, company or fraternal benefit society subject to the provisions of this chapter.

"NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

"Qualified actuary" means any individual who meets the requirements set forth in 14VAC5-310-50 B.

14VAC5-310-50. General requirements for actuarial opinions.

A. The following requirements apply to all companies submitting a statement of actuarial opinion in compliance with § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia.

1. There is to be included on or attached to page 1 of the annual statement for each year ending on or after December 31, 1992, 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 14VAC5-310-80.

2. Upon written request by the company, the commission may grant an extension of the date for submission of the statement of actuarial opinion.

B. A "qualified actuary" is an individual who:

1. Is a member in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries;

2. Is qualified to sign statements of actuarial opinion for life and health insurance company annual statements in accordance with the American Academy of Actuaries qualification standards for actuaries signing such statements;

3. Is familiar with the valuation requirements applicable to life and health insurance companies;

4. Has not been found by the commission (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 Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia or other law in the course of his dealings as a qualified actuary;

b. Been found guilty of fraudulent or dishonest practices;

c. Demonstrated his incompetency, lack of cooperation, or untrustworthiness to act as a qualified actuary;

d. Submitted to the commission during the past five years, pursuant to this chapter, an actuarial opinion or memorandum that the commission rejected because it did not meet the provisions of this chapter, 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 commission of any action taken by the commissioner of any other state similar to that under subdivision 4 of this subsection.

C. An "appointed actuary" is a qualified actuary who is appointed or retained to prepare the statement of actuarial opinion required by this chapter, either directly by or by the authority of the board of directors through an executive officer of the company other than the qualified actuary. The company shall give the commission 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 14VAC5-310-50 B. Once notice is furnished, no further notice is required with respect to this person, provided that the company shall give the commission 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 14VAC5-310-50 B. 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. The asset adequacy analysis required by this chapter shall:

1. Conform to the Actuarial Standards of Practice as promulgated from time to time by the Actuarial Standards Board and on any additional standards under this chapter, which standards are to form the basis of the statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with 5 this chapter; and

2. Be based on methods of analysis as are deemed appropriate for such purposes by the Actuarial Standards Board.

E. Liabilities shall be covered in conformity with the following:

1. Under authority of § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia, the statement of actuarial opinion shall apply to all in-force business on the statement date, whether directly issued or assumed, regardless of when or where issued, (e.g., reserves reportable for 2002 in Exhibits 5, 5A, 6, and 7 of the NAIC annual statement for life insurers; claim liabilities reported in Exhibit 8 (2002) in Part I of the life insurer's annual statement, and equivalent items in any separate account statement, or other annual financial statements filed pursuant to § 38.2-1300, 38.2-1301 or 38.2-4126 of the Code of Virginia).

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 § 38.2-1311, 38.2-3923, 38.2-4010, 38.2-4011, or § 38.2-4125 of the Code of Virginia; Article 3 (§ 38.2-3136 et seq.) 10 (§ 38.2-1365 et seq.) of Chapter 31 13 of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia; a rule or regulation of the commission applicable to the company; or any additional or further guidance provided by the NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, whether in a Statement of Statutory Accounting Principle or in an actuarial guideline or other appendix, the company shall establish the additional reserve.

3. Additional reserves established under subdivision 2 of this subsection and deemed not necessary in subsequent years may be released. Any amounts released shall 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.

14VAC5-310-90. Description of actuarial memorandum issued for an asset adequacy analysis and regulatory asset adequacy issues summary.

A. The following general provisions shall apply with respect to the preparation and submission of the asset adequacy memorandum required by § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia.

1. In accordance with § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia, the appointed actuary shall prepare a memorandum to the company describing the analysis done in support of his opinion regarding the reserves. The memorandum shall be made available for examination by the commission upon its request but shall be returned to the company after such examination and shall not be considered a record of the Bureau of Insurance or subject to automatic filing with the commission.

2. In preparing the memorandum, the appointed actuary may rely on, and include as a part of his memorandum, memoranda prepared and signed by other actuaries who are qualified within the meaning of 14VAC5-310-50 B, with respect to the areas covered in such memoranda, and so state in their memoranda.

3. If the commission requests a memorandum and no such memorandum exists or if the commission 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 chapter, the commission 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 commission.

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 commission; however, 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 commission 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 commission pursuant to the statute governing this chapter. 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 chapter for any one of the current year or the preceding three years.

5. In accordance with § 38.2-3127.1 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia, the appointed actuary shall prepare a regulatory asset adequacy issues summary, the contents of which are specified in subsection C of this section. The regulatory asset adequacy issues summary shall be submitted no later than March 15 of the year following the year for which a statement of actuarial opinion based on asset adequacy is required. The regulatory asset adequacy issues summary is to be kept confidential to the same extent and under the same conditions as the actuarial memorandum.

B. A section of the memorandum shall document asset adequacy testing by demonstrating that the analysis has been done in accordance with the standards for asset adequacy referred to in 14VAC5-310-50 D and any additional standards under this chapter. 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;

f. Identification of any explicit or implied guarantees made by the general account in support of benefits provided through a separate account policy or contract and the methods used by the appointed actuary to provide for the guarantees in the asset adequacy analysis; and

g. Documentation of assumptions to test reserves for (i) lapse rates, whether base or excess, (ii) interest crediting rate strategy, (iii) mortality, (iv) policyholder dividend strategy, (v) competitor or market interest rate, (vi) annuitization rates, (vii) commission and expenses, and (viii) morbidity.

The documentation of the assumptions shall be such that an actuary reviewing the actuarial memorandum could form a conclusion as to the reasonableness of the assumption.

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; and

e. Documentation of assumptions made for (i) default costs, (ii) bond call function, (iii) mortgage prepayment function, (iv) determining market value for assets sold due to disinvestment strategy, and (v) determining yield on assets acquired through the investment strategy.

The documentation of the assumptions shall be such that an actuary reviewing the actuarial memorandum could form a conclusion as to the reasonableness of the assumption.

3. For the analysis basis:

a. Methodology;

b. Rationale for inclusion or exclusion of different blocks of business and how pertinent risks were analyzed;

c. Rationale for degree of rigor in analyzing different blocks of business, including the rationale for the level of "materiality" that was used in determining how rigorously to analyze different blocks of business;

d. Criteria for determining asset adequacy, including in the criteria the precise basis for determining if assets are adequate to cover reserves under "moderately adverse conditions" or other conditions as specified in relevant actuarial standards of practice; and

e. Whether the impact of federal income taxes was considered and the method of treating reinsurance in the asset adequacy analysis.

4. Summary of material changes in methods, procedures, or assumptions from prior year's asset adequacy analysis;

5. Summary of results; and

6. Conclusion.

C. The regulatory asset adequacy issues summary shall contain the name of the company for which the regulatory asset adequacy issues summary is being supplied and shall be signed and dated by the appointed actuary rendering the actuarial opinion. The regulatory asset adequacy issues summary also shall include each of the following:

1. Descriptions of the scenarios tested, including whether those scenarios are stochastic or deterministic, and the sensitivity testing done relative to those scenarios. If negative ending surplus results under certain tests in the aggregate, the actuary should describe those tests and the amount of additional reserve as of the valuation date which, if held, would eliminate the negative aggregate surplus values. Ending surplus values shall be determined by either extending the projection period until the in-force and associated assets and liabilities at the end of the projection period are immaterial or by adjusting the surplus amount at the end of the projection period by an amount that appropriately estimates the value that reasonably can be expected to arise from the assets and liabilities remaining in force;

2. The extent to which the appointed actuary uses assumptions in the asset adequacy analysis that are materially different from the assumptions used in the previous asset adequacy analysis;

3. The amount of reserves and the identity of the product lines that had been subjected to asset adequacy analysis in the prior opinion but were not subject to analysis for the current opinion;

4. Comments on any interim results that may be of significant concern to the appointed actuary. For example, 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;

5. The methods used by the actuary to recognize the impact of reinsurance on the company's cash flows, including both assets and liabilities, under each of the scenarios tested; and

6. Whether the actuary has been satisfied that all options whether explicit or embedded, in any asset or liability, including but not limited to those affecting cash flows embedded in fixed income securities, and equity-like features in any investments have been appropriately considered in the asset adequacy analysis.

D. The actuarial methods, considerations, and analyses shall conform to appropriate standards of practice and the memorandum shall include the following 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."

E. An appropriate allocation of assets in the amount of Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR), whether positive or negative, shall be used in any asset adequacy analysis. Analysis of risks regarding asset default shall include an appropriate allocation of assets supporting the Asset Valuation Reserve (AVR); these AVR assets shall not be applied for any other risks with respect to reserve adequacy. Analysis of these and other risks shall 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 shall 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 shall be disclosed in the memorandum.

14VAC5-319-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this regulation shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"1980 CSO valuation tables" means the Commissioners' 1980 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table (1980 CSO Table) without 10-year selection factors, incorporated into the 1980 amendments to the NAIC Standard Valuation Law, and variations of the 1980 CSO Table approved by the NAIC, such as the smoker and nonsmoker versions approved in December 1983.

"Basic reserves" means reserves calculated in accordance with § 38.2-3137 38.2-1372 of the Code of Virginia.

"Commission" means the State Corporation Commission when acting pursuant to or in accordance with Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Contract segmentation method" means the method of dividing the period from issue to mandatory expiration of a policy into successive segments, with the length of each segment being defined as the period from the end of the prior segment (from policy inception, for the first segment) to the end of the latest policy year as determined below. All calculations are made using the 1980 CSO valuation tables, as defined in this section, (or any other valuation mortality table adopted by the NAIC after January 1, 2000, and promulgated by regulation by the commission for this purpose) and, if elected, the optional minimum mortality standard for deficiency reserves stipulated in 14VAC5-319-40 B.

The length of a particular contract segment shall be set equal to the minimum of the value t for which G_t is greater than R_t (if G_t never exceeds R_t, the segment length is deemed to be the number of years from the beginning of the segment to the mandatory expiration date of the policy), where G_t and R_t are defined as follows:

	Gt =	GPx+k+t
		GPx+k+t-1

where:

x = original issue age;

k = the number of years from the date of issue to the beginning of the segment;

t = 1, 2,...; t is reset to 1 at the beginning of each segment; and

GP_x+k+t-1 = Guaranteed gross premium per $1,000 of face amount for year t of the segment, ignoring policy fees only if level for the premium paying period of the policy.

	Rt =	qx+k+t
		qx+k+t-1

where:

R_t may be increased or decreased by 1.0% in any policy year, at the company's option, but R_t shall not be less than one; and

x, k and t are as defined above; and

q_x+k+t-1 = valuation mortality rate for deficiency reserves in policy year k+t but using the mortality of 14VAC5-319-40 B 2 if 14VAC5-319-40 B 3 is elected for deficiency reserves. However, if GP_x+k+t is greater than 0 and GP_x+k+t-1 is equal to 0, G_t shall be deemed to be 1,000. If GP_x+k+t and GP_x+k+t-1 are both equal to 0, G_t shall be deemed to be 0.

"Deficiency reserves" means the excess, if greater than 0, of (i) minimum reserves calculated in accordance with § 38.2-3141 38.2-1376 of the Code of Virginia over (ii) basic reserves.

"Guaranteed gross premiums" means the premiums under a policy of life insurance that are guaranteed and determined at issue.

"Maximum valuation interest rates" means the interest rates defined in § 38.2-3130 38.2-1371 of the Code of Virginia that are to be used in determining the minimum standard for the valuation of life insurance policies.

"NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

"Scheduled gross premium" means the smallest illustrated gross premium at issue for other than universal life insurance policies. For universal life insurance policies, scheduled gross premium means the smallest specified premium described in 14VAC5-319-60 A 3 or, if none is so described, the minimum premium described in 14VAC5-319-60 A 4.

"Segmented reserves" means reserves, calculated using segments produced by the contract segmentation method, equal to the present value of all future guaranteed benefits less the present value of all future net premiums to the mandatory expiration of a policy, where the net premiums within each segment are a uniform percentage of the respective guaranteed gross premiums within the segment. The uniform percentage for each segment is such that, at the beginning of the segment, the present value of the net premiums within the segment equals:

1. The present value of the death benefits within the segment, plus

2. The present value of any unusual guaranteed cash value (see 14VAC5-319-50 D) occurring at the end of the segment, less

3. Any unusual guaranteed cash value occurring at the start of the segment, plus

4. For the first segment only, the excess of subdivision 4 a over subdivision 4 b of this definition, as follows:

a. A net level annual premium equal to the present value, at the date of issue, of the benefits provided for in the first segment after the first policy year, divided by the present value, at the date of issue, of an annuity of one per year payable on the first and each subsequent anniversary within the first segment on which a premium falls due. However, the net level annual premium shall not exceed the net level annual premium on the 19-year premium whole life plan of insurance of the same renewal year equivalent level amount at an age one year higher than the age at issue of the policy.

b. A net one-year term premium for the benefits provided for in the first policy year.

The length of each segment is determined by the "contract segmentation method," as defined in this section.

The interest rates used in the present value calculations for any policy may not exceed the maximum valuation interest rate, determined with a guarantee duration equal to the sum of the lengths of all segments of the policy.

For both basic reserves and deficiency reserves computed by the segmented method, present values shall include future benefits and net premiums in the current segment and in all subsequent segments.

"Tabular cost of insurance" means the net single premium at the beginning of a policy year for one-year term insurance in the amount of the guaranteed death benefit in that policy year.

"Ten-year select mortality factors" means the select factors adopted by the NAIC with the 1980 amendments to the NAIC Standard Valuation Law.

"This regulation" means Chapter 319 of Title 14 of the Virginia Administrative Code (14VAC5-319-10 et seq.), which also shall be known as the commission's Rules Establishing Minimum Valuation and Reserve Standards for Life Insurance Policies.

"Twenty-year select mortality factors" means the select factors adopted by the NAIC as part of the Valuation of Life Insurance Policies Model Regulation and shown in the tables in 14VAC5-319-70.

"Unitary reserves" means the present value of all future guaranteed benefits less the present value of all future modified net premiums, where:

1. Guaranteed benefits and modified net premiums are considered to the mandatory expiration of the policy; and

2. Modified net premiums are a uniform percentage of the respective guaranteed gross premiums, where the uniform percentage is such that, at issue, the present value of the net premiums equals the present value of all death benefits and pure endowments, plus the excess of subdivision 2 a over subdivision 2 b of this definition, as follows:

a. A net level annual premium equal to the present value, at the date of issue, of the benefits provided for after the first policy year, divided by the present value, at the date of issue, of an annuity of one per year payable on the first and each subsequent anniversary of the policy on which a premium falls due. However, the net level annual premium shall not exceed the net level annual premium on the 19-year premium whole life plan of insurance of the same renewal year equivalent level amount at an age one year higher than the age at issue of the policy.

b. A net one-year term premium for the benefits provided for in the first policy year.

The interest rates used in the present value calculations for any policy may not exceed the maximum valuation interest rate, determined with a guarantee duration equal to the length from issue to the mandatory expiration of the policy.

"Universal life insurance policy" means any individual life insurance policy under the provisions of which separately identified interest credits (other than in connection with dividend accumulations, premium deposit funds or other supplementary accounts) and mortality or expense charges are made to the policy.

"YRT" means yearly renewable term.

14VAC5-321-10. Authority.

This chapter is promulgated by the commission, pursuant to § 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with §§ 38.2-3130 38.2-1369, 38.2-3206 through 38.2-3209, and 38.2-4120 of the Code of Virginia and 14VAC5-319-40, to approve, recognize, permit, and prescribe the use of the 2001 Commissioners Standard Ordinary (CSO) Mortality Table by and for insurers transacting the business of insurance in this Commonwealth.

14VAC5-321-30. 2001 CSO Mortality Table.

A. At the election of the insurer for any one or more specified plans of insurance and subject to the conditions stated in this chapter, the 2001 CSO Mortality Table may be used as the minimum standard for policies issued on or after January 1, 2004, and before the date specified in subsection B of this section to which subdivision 1 of § 38.2-3130 38.2-1369 and § 38.2-3209 of the Code of Virginia are applicable. If the insurer elects to use the 2001 CSO Mortality Table, it shall do so for both valuation and nonforfeiture purposes.

B. Subject to the conditions stated in this chapter, the 2001 CSO Mortality Table shall be used in determining minimum standards for policies issued on and after January 1, 2009, to which subdivision 1 of § 38.2-3130 38.2-1369 and § 38.2-3209 of the Code of Virginia are applicable.

C. A table from the 2001 CSO Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table used in place of a 2001 CSO Mortality Table, pursuant to the requirements of 14VAC5-322, will be treated as part of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table only for purposes of reserve valuation pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.

14VAC5-321-40. Conditions.

A. For policies issued on or after July 1, 2004, with each plan of insurance with separate rates for smokers and nonsmokers an insurer may use:

1. Composite mortality tables to determine minimum reserve liabilities and minimum cash surrender values and amounts of paid-up nonforfeiture benefits;

2. Smoker and nonsmoker mortality tables to determine the valuation net premiums and additional minimum reserves, if any, required by § 38.2-3141 38.2-1376 of the Code of Virginia and use composite mortality tables to determine the basic minimum reserves, minimum cash surrender values, and amounts of paid-up nonforfeiture benefits; or

3. Smoker and nonsmoker mortality tables to determine minimum reserve liabilities and minimum cash surrender values and amounts of paid-up nonforfeiture benefits.

B. For policies issued on or after July 1, 2004, with plans of insurance without separate rates for smokers and nonsmokers the composite mortality tables shall be used.

C. For the purpose of determining minimum reserve liabilities and minimum cash surrender values and amounts of paid-up nonforfeiture benefits, the 2001 CSO Mortality Table may, at the option of the insurer for each such plan of insurance, be used in its ultimate or select and ultimate form, subject to the restrictions of 14VAC5-321-50 and 14VAC5-319 relative to use of the select and ultimate form.

D. When the 2001 CSO Mortality Table is the minimum reserve standard for any plan for an insurer, any actuarial opinion in the annual statement filed with the commission shall be based on an asset adequacy analysis that meets the standards and satisfies requirements for an asset adequacy analysis performed pursuant to subdivision A 2 of § 38.2-3127.1 B 38.2-1367 of the Code of Virginia and rules governing actuarial opinions and memoranda at 14VAC5-310.

14VAC5-322-10. Authority.

This chapter is promulgated by the commission, pursuant to § 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with § 38.2-3130 38.2-1369 of the Code of Virginia and 14VAC5-319-40, to approve, recognize, permit, and prescribe the use of the 2001 Commissioners Standard Ordinary (CSO) Preferred Class Structure Mortality Table by and for insurers transacting the business of insurance in this Commonwealth.

14VAC5-323-10. Authority.

This chapter is promulgated by the commission, pursuant to § 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with §§ 38.2-3130 38.2-1369, 38.2-3206 through 38.2-3209, and 38.2-4120 of the Code of Virginia and 14VAC5-319-40, to approve, recognize, permit, and prescribe the use of the 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary (CSO) Life Valuation Mortality Table for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation of reserves and the minimum standard nonforfeiture values for insurers offering preneed insurance in this Commonwealth.

14VAC5-323-40. Minimum valuation interest rate standards.

A. The interest rates used in determining the minimum standard for valuation of preneed insurance shall be the calendar year statutory valuation interest rates as defined in §§ 38.2-3133 through 38.2-3136 § 38.2-1371 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The interest rates used in determining the minimum standard for nonforfeiture values for preneed insurance shall be the calendar year statutory nonforfeiture interest rates as defined in § 38.2-3209 of the Code of Virginia.

14VAC5-323-50. Minimum valuation method standards.

A. The method used in determining the standard for the minimum valuation of reserves of preneed insurance shall be the method defined in §§ 38.2-3129 38.2-1368 and 38.2-3130 38.2-1369 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The method used in determining the standard for the minimum nonforfeiture values for preneed insurance shall be the method defined in § 38.2-3209 of the Code of Virginia.

VA.R. Doc. No. R15-4085; Filed December 3, 2014, 11:57 a.m.