Actuarial Standards Board News

The ASB approved an exposure draft of a revision of ASOP No. 32, Social Insurance. The standard applies to actuaries when performing actuarial services when the actuary’s principal is a government agency with responsibility for the valuation of a Social Insurance Program. The standard also applies to actuaries with oversight responsibility for the actuarial services for Social Insurance Programs when serving as an auditor, reviewer, a member of an actuarial advisory committee, or a member of a technical panel. ASOP No. 32 was originally adopted in January 1998 and updated only for deviation language in 2011. In 2016, the ASB reviewed ASOP No. 32 and appointed a task force to further review and produce an exposure draft of a revised standard. The reasons for the revision included updating guidance to reflect changes in government programs as well as in standards in related practice areas that have evolved significantly since 1998. The comment deadline for the exposure draft, which can be viewed under the “Drafts” tab in “Current Exposure Drafts”, is Feb. 1, 2019. Information on how to submit comments can be found in the draft.

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The ASB adopted new ASOP No. 54, Pricing of Life Insurance and Annuity Products. ASOP No. 54 applies to actuaries when performing actuarial services with respect to the pricing of life insurance and annuity products when a product is initially developed or when charges or benefits are changed for future sales. The standard does not apply to any changes made on in-force policies. A first exposure draft was issued in March 2016, for which 17 comment letters were received. The ASB approved a second exposure draft in June 2017, for which six comment letters were received. Comments from both exposure drafts were considered in making changes reflected in the final ASOP. The standard will be effective for any actuarial services performed on or after Dec. 1, 2018. ASOP No. 54 can be viewed here.

The ASB adopted new a revision of No. 17, Expert Testimony by Actuaries. The revision of ASOP No. 17 applies to actuaries who are qualified as experts under the evidentiary rules applicable in a forum when they provide testimony in court hearings, dispute resolutions, depositions, rate hearings, legislative hearings, or other similar proceedings. The exposure draft was issued in April 2017, and 11 comment letters were received and considered in making changes that are reflected in the final ASOP. Notable changes to the revision include rewording section 1.2, Scope, to provide additional guidance regarding the circumstances under which the standard applies and clarifying the definition of “expert.” The standard will be effective for all expert testimony provided by the actuary on or after Dec. 1, 2018. ASOP No. 17 can be viewed here.

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