Disclaimer

The information on this website is presented as a service for our clients and Internet users and is not intended to be legal advice, nor should you consider it as such. Although we welcome your inquiries, please keep in mind that merely contacting us will not establish an attorney-client relationship between us. Consequently, you should not convey any confidential information to us until a formal attorney-client relationship has been established. Please remember that electronic correspondence on the internet is not secure and that you should not include sensitive or confidential information in messages. With that in mind, we look forward to hearing from you.

 Skip to Content

The NAIC Considers Whether a New Framework Should Apply to Innovative Annuity Products
February 10, 2014

The Life Actuarial Task Force's Index-Linked Variable Annuities (A) Subgroup (the "ILVA Subgroup") began a fresh look at the regulatory framework for annuity products. On February 6, it held a call to review its January 15, 2014 Discussion Points for Separate Account Index-Linked Products Paper (the "Discussion Points Paper"). The Discussion Points Paper addresses a new type of annuities. Regulators are concerned that the new "index-linked annuities" do not fit within the existing regulatory framework.

Index-linked annuities are similar to currently available fixed index annuities in that their value is based on a change in a financial index. However, index-linked annuities differ in the following ways:

  • A negative return can be credited to an index-linked annuity if the index decreases in value. Currently, there are two variations on how much negative return will be credited to the annuity value:
  "Buffered" Design "Hard Floor" Design
Decrease up to a stated percentage (e.g., -10%) Insurer bears this risk Annuity owner bears this risk
Additional decrease beyond the stated percentage Annuity owner bears this risk Insurer bears this risk
 
  • A separate account holds assets that support the obligation of the insurer. The separate account, however, does not invest in the securities or commodities that comprise the index. Moreover, the annuity value does not reflect the "unit value" of the separate account.

During the call, the ILVA Subgroup discussed (i) whether the index-linked annuities should be viewed as "variable annuities" and subject to nonforfeiture requirements; (ii) what reserves should be established; (iii) what valuation applies to the separate account; (iv) what RBC applies; (v) whether there are other financial reporting issues; and (vi) what consumer issues arise.

One regulator posited that a principles-based approach should be adopted to develop the regulatory framework to address the variety of new products, including contingent deferred annuities ("CDAs") and synthetic guaranteed investment contracts ("synthetic GICs"). This would also provide a framework for future product designs. While some regulators acknowledged the appeal of such an approach, others were concerned that an immediate solution was needed to address the new index-linked annuities currently in the market.

Several regulators called on the insurance industry to provide information on the current practices of insurers that issue index-linked annuities. The ILVA Subgroup also invited the industry to help consider the appropriate regulatory framework. This invitation is a window of opportunity for insurers to plant the seeds for a regulatory framework that could apply to an array of innovative annuity designs.
Authored By
Image: Ann Young Black
Ann Young Black
Related Practices
Life, Annuity, and Retirement Litigation Financial Services Regulatory
©2024 Carlton Fields, P.A. Carlton Fields practices law in California through Carlton Fields, LLP. Carlton Fields publications should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information and educational purposes only, and should not be relied on as if it were advice about a particular fact situation. The distribution of this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship with Carlton Fields. This publication may not be quoted or referred to in any other publication or proceeding without the prior written consent of the firm, to be given or withheld at our discretion. To request reprint permission for any of our publications, please use our Contact Us form via the link below. The views set forth herein are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the firm. This site may contain hypertext links to information created and maintained by other entities. Carlton Fields does not control or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this outside information, nor is the inclusion of a link to be intended as an endorsement of those outside sites.