The Retirement System Assessment and Policy Committee published an issue brief providing an actuarial perspective on the role of U.S. tax policy in retirement security.

The Committee on Property and Liability Financial Reporting (COPLFR) released the Statements of Actuarial Opinion on P/C Loss Reserves practice note.

The Financial Reporting Committee (FRC) submitted comments to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on its proposed updates to the accounting for long-duration contracts.

The winter StateScan Quarterly highlights state legislation in the past quarter related to auto insurance, health insurance marketplace changes, pension plans, principle-based reserving, and more. For a comprehensive review, log in to StateScan, the legislative and regulatory portal free for Academy members.

The Non-Guaranteed Elements Work Group submitted a comment letter to the NAIC's Life Insurance Buyer's Guide (A) Working Group on the NAIC group's "10 Things You Should Know Before Purchasing Life Insurance" exposure draft. 

The Health Practice Council submitted a letter to the U.S. House and Senate providing comments on the potential consequences of eliminating the ACA's individual mandate, as possible in the conference committee for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The Academy presented on both public policy and professionalism matters at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Fall 2017 National Meeting Dec. 2-4 in Honolulu. Read the Academy alert on highlights from the meeting here.

The Health Practice International Committee published an issue brief on global aging demographics, quality of life during the end-of-life period, palliative versus curative care, and strategies for address health care challenges at the end of life using case studies from a variety of countries.

Arnold Dicke, Chair of the Role of the Actuary Subgroup, presented an update on the development to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on the definition of “qualified actuary” in the valuation manual and standard valuation law. 

The Life Practice Council sent a comment letter to the NAIC's Financial Condition (E) Committee raising concerns over the process by which the NAIC is developing changes to the statutory framework for variable annuities (VAs), including both C-3 Phase II for risk-based capital (RBC) and Actuarial Guideline (AG) 43 reserve requirements.

Donna Claire, Chair of the PBR Governance Subgroup, presented an update to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on the Academy’s efforts on PBR implementation.

Mary Bahna-Nolan, Chair of the Academy’s Life Experience Committee, gave a presentation to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on joint committee recommended changes related to guaranteed issue (GI) tables, and exposed simplified issue (SI) exposed tables and report. 

Mary Bahna-Nolan, Chair of the Academy’s Life Experience Committee, gave a presentation to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on developing accelerated  underwriting techniques.

Dave Neve, Chair of the Academy’s Life Practice Council, presented a preliminary summary to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on the aggregation of mortality segments in VM-20.

The Retirement System Assessment and Policy Committee published an issue brief on state-based initiatives to expand retirement coverage among workers who do not have access to employer-sponsored plans, and the alignment of these efforts with the Academy’s Retirement for the AGES principles.

The Risk Sharing Subcommittee and Premium Review Work Group submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the proposed rule for the 2019 benefit and payment parameters. The comments address proposed changes to the risk sharing mechanisms, special enrollment periods, essential health benefits, minimum essential coverage, and medical loss ratios.

The Health Practice Council submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate providing comments on the potential consequences of eliminating the ACA's individual mandate, as recently included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The Multiemployer Plans Committee submitted a comment letter to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) on modifications to the instructions for the 2017 Schedule MB (Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Information) of the Form 5500.

Chair of the LTC & Disability Committee, Al Schmitz, gives a presentation to the National Conference of Insurance Legislators about long-term care and sales and premium increase data; understanding premium rate increases; and essential criteria in LTC reform.