N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-58-50 — NC Code / Chapter 58 / Section 58-58-50
§ 58-58-50. Standard Valuation Law
Status: reserved

(a) This section shall be known as the Standard Valuation Law.

(a1) As used in this section:

(1) Appointed actuary .--A qualified actuary who is appointed in accordance with the valuation manual to prepare the actuarial opinion required in subsection (j1) of this section.

(2) Company .--An entity, including a fraternal benefit society as defined in Article 24 of this Chapter, which has written, issued, or reinsured life insurance contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, annuity contracts, pure endowment contracts, or deposit-type contracts (i) in this State and has at least one such policy in force or on claim or (ii) in any state and is required to hold a certificate of authority to write life insurance, accident and health insurance, annuity contract, pure endowment, or deposit-type contracts in this State.

(3) Deposit-type contract .--A contract that does not incorporate mortality or morbidity risks and as may be specified in the valuation manual.

(4) Policyholder behavior .--Any action a policyholder, contract holder, or any other person with the right to elect options, such as a certificate holder, may take under a policy or contract subject to this section, including, but not limited to, lapse, withdrawal, transfer, deposit, premium payment, loan, annuitization, or benefit elections prescribed by the policy or contract but excluding events of mortality or morbidity that result in benefits prescribed in their essential aspects by the terms of the policy or contract.

(5) Principle-based valuation .--A reserve valuation that uses one or more methods or one or more assumptions determined by the insurer and is required to comply with subsection (n) of this section as specified in the valuation manual.

(6) Qualified actuary .--An individual who is qualified to sign the applicable statement of actuarial opinion in accordance with the American Academy of Actuaries qualification standards for actuaries signing such statements and who meets the requirements specified in the valuation manual.

(7) Reserves .--Reserve liabilities.

(8) Tail risk .--A risk that occurs either where the frequency of low probability events is higher than expected under a normal probability distribution or where there are observed events of very significant size or magnitude.

(9) Valuation manual .--The manual of valuation instructions adopted by the NAIC as specified in this section or as subsequently amended.

(b) This subsection applies to policies and contracts issued prior to the operative date of the valuation manual. Each year the Commissioner shall value or cause to be valued the reserves for all outstanding life insurance policies, annuity contracts, pure endowment contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, and deposit-type contracts of every life insurance company doing business in this State. In the case of an alien company, the valuation shall be limited to its United States business. Group methods and approximate averages for fractions of a year or otherwise may be used by the Commissioner in calculating the company's reserves, and the Commissioner may accept the valuation made by the company upon evidence of its correctness that the Commissioner requires. For foreign or alien insurance companies, the Commissioner may accept any valuation made or caused to be made by the insurance regulator of any state or other jurisdiction if that valuation complies with the minimum standard provided in this section.

(b1) The provisions set forth in subsections (c), (d), (d1), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (k) of this section shall apply to all policies and contracts, as appropriate, subject to this section issued on or after the effective date of this section and prior to the operative date of the valuation manual. The provisions set forth in subsections (m) and (n) of this section shall not apply to policies issued prior to the operative date of the valuation manual.

(b2) This subsection applies to policies and contracts issued on or after the operative date of the valuation manual. The Commissioner shall annually value, or cause to be valued, the reserves for all outstanding life insurance contracts, annuity contracts, pure endowment contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, and deposit-type contracts of every company issued on or after the operative date of the valuation manual. In lieu of the valuation of the reserves required of a foreign or alien company, the Commissioner may accept a valuation made, or caused to be made, by the insurance supervisory official of any state or other jurisdiction when that valuation complies with the minimum standard provided in this section.

(b3) The provisions set forth in subsections (m) and (n) of this section shall apply to all policies and contracts issued on or after the operative date of the valuation manual.

(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, or in subsection (k) of this section, the minimum standard for the valuation of all such policies and contracts issued before the effective date of this section shall be that provided by the laws in effect immediately before that date, except that the minimum standard for the valuation of annuities and pure endowments purchased under group annuity and pure endowment contracts issued before that date shall be that provided by the laws in effect immediately before that date but replacing the interest rates specified in such laws by an interest rate of five percent (5%) per annum, and five and one-half percent (5 1 / 2 %) interest for single premium life insurance policies.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, or in subsection (k) of this section, the minimum standards for the valuation of all such policies and contracts issued on or after the effective date of this section shall be the Commissioner's reserve valuation methods defined in subsections (d), (d1), (g), and (k) of this section, five percent (5%) interest for group annuity and pure endowment contracts and three and one-half percent (3 1 / 2 %) interest for all other policies and contracts, or, in the case of policies and contracts other than annuity and pure endowment contracts, issued on or after July 1, 1975, four percent (4%) interest for such policies issued prior to April 19, 1979, and four and one-half percent (4 1 / 2 %) interest for such policies issued on or after April 19, 1979, and the following tables:

a. For all ordinary policies of life insurance issued on the standard basis, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such policies--the Commissioner's 1941 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table for such policies issued prior to the operative date of subdivision (e)(2) of G.S. 58-58-55 , the Commissioner's 1958 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table for such policies issued on or after the operative date of subdivision (e)(2) of G.S. 58-58-55 prior to the operative date of subdivision (e)(4) of G.S. 58-58-55 , provided that for any category of such policies issued on female risks, all modified net premiums and present values referred to in this section may be calculated according to an age not more than six years younger than the actual age of the insured; and, for such policies issued on or after the operative date of subdivision (e)(4) of G.S. 58-58-55, (i) the Commissioner's 1980 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, or (ii) at the election of the company for any one or more specified plans of life insurance, the Commissioner's 1980 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table with Ten-Year Select Mortality Factors, or (iii) any ordinary mortality table, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that is approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such policies;

b. For all industrial life insurance policies issued on the standard basis, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such policies--the 1941 Standard Industrial Mortality Table for such policies issued prior to the operative date of subdivision (e)(3) of G.S. 58-58-55 and for such policies issued on or after such operative date the Commissioner's 1961 Standard Industrial Mortality Table or any industrial mortality table, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that is approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such policies;

c. For individual annuity and pure endowment contracts, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such policies--the 1937 Standard Annuity Mortality Table or, at the option of the company, the Annuity Mortality Table for 1949, Ultimate, or any modification of either of these tables approved by the Commissioner;

d. For group annuity and pure endowment contracts, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such policies--the Group Annuity Mortality Table for 1951, any modification of such table approved by the Commissioner, or, at the option of the company, any of the tables or modifications of tables specified for individual annuity and pure endowment contracts;

e. For total and permanent disability benefits in or supplementary to ordinary policies or contracts--for policies or contracts issued on or after January 1, 1966, the tables of Period 2 disablement rates and the 1930 to 1950 termination rates of the 1952 Disability Study of the Society of Actuaries, with due regard to the type of benefit or any tables of disablement rates and termination rates, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that are approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such policies; for policies or contracts issued on or after January 1, 1961, and prior to January 1, 1966, either such tables or, at the option of the company, the Class (3) Disability Table (1926); and for policies issued prior to January 1, 1961, the Class (3) Disability Table (1926). Any such table shall, for active lives, be combined with a mortality table permitted for calculating the reserves for life insurance policies;

f. For accidental death benefits in or supplementary to policies--for policies issued on or after January 1, 1966, the 1959 Accidental Death Benefits Table or any accidental death benefits table, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that is approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such policies; for policies issued on or after January 1, 1961, and prior to January 1, 1966, either such table or, at the option of the company, the Inter-Company Double Indemnity Mortality Table; and for policies issued prior to January 1, 1961, the Inter-Company Double Indemnity Mortality Table. Either table shall be combined with a mortality table permitted for calculating the reserves for life insurance policies;

g. For group life insurance, life insurance issued on the substandard basis and other special benefits--such tables as may be approved by the Commissioner.

(3) Except as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection, the minimum standard of valuation for individual annuity and pure endowment contracts issued on or after the operative date of this subdivision (3), as defined herein, and for annuities and pure endowments purchased on or after such operative date under group annuity and pure endowment contracts, shall be the Commissioner's reserve valuation methods defined in subsections (d) and (d1) of this section and the following tables and interest rates:

a. For individual annuity and pure endowment contracts issued prior to April 19, 1979, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such contracts--the 1971 Individual Annuity Mortality Table, or any modification of this table approved by the Commissioner, and six percent (6%) interest for single premium immediate annuity contracts, and four percent (4%) interest for all other individual annuity and pure endowment contracts;

b. For individual single premium immediate annuity contracts issued on or after April 19, 1979, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such contracts--the 1971 Individual Annuity Mortality Table or any individual annuity mortality table, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that is approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such contracts, or any modification of these tables approved by the Commissioner, and seven and one-half percent (7 1 / 2 %) interest;

c. For individual annuity and pure endowment contracts issued on or after April 19, 1979, other than single premium immediate annuity contracts, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such contracts--the 1971 Individual Annuity Mortality Table or any individual annuity mortality table, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that is approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such contracts, or any modification of these tables approved by the Commissioner, and five and one-half percent (5 1 / 2 %) interest for single premium deferred annuity and pure endowment contracts and four and one-half percent (4 1 / 2 %) interest for all other such individual annuity and pure endowment contracts;

d. For all annuities and pure endowments purchased prior to April 19, 1979, under group annuity and pure endowment contracts, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits purchased under such contracts--the 1971 Group Annuity Mortality Table, or any modification of this table approved by the Commissioner, and six percent (6%) interest;

e. For all annuities and pure endowments purchased on or after April 19, 1979, under group annuity and pure endowment contracts, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits purchased under such contracts--the 1971 Group Annuity Mortality Table or any group annuity mortality table, adopted after 1980 by the NAIC, that is approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard of valuation for such annuities and pure endowments, or any modification of these tables approved by the Commissioner, and seven and one-half percent (7 1 / 2 %) interest.

After July 1, 1975, any company may file with the Commissioner a written notice of its election to comply with the provisions of this subdivision (3) after a specified date before January 1, 1979, which shall be the operative date of this subdivision for such company, provided, a company may elect a different operative date for individual annuity and pure endowment contracts from that elected for group annuity and pure endowment contracts. If a company makes no such election, the operative date of this subdivision for such company shall be January 1, 1979.

(4) a. Applicability of this subdivision. The interest rates used in determining the minimum standard for the valuation of:

1. Life insurance policies issued in a particular calendar year, on or after the operative date of subdivision (e)(4) of G.S. 58-58-55 ,

2. Individual annuity and pure endowment contracts issued in a particular calendar year on or after January 1, 1982,

3. Annuities and pure endowments purchased in a particular calendar year on or after January 1, 1982, under group annuity and pure endowment contracts, and

4. The net increase, if any, in a particular calendar year after January 1, 1982, in amounts held under guaranteed interest contracts

shall be the calendar year statutory valuation interest rates as defined in this subdivision.

b. Calendar Year Statutory Valuation Interest Rates.

1. The calendar year statutory valuation interest rates, I shall be determined as follows and the results rounded to the nearer one-quarter of one percent ( 1 / 4 of 1%):

I. For life insurance,

I = .03 plus W(R 1 - .03) plus W / 2 (R 2 - .09);

II. For single premium immediate annuities and for annuity benefits involving life contingencies arising from other annuities with cash settlement options and from guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options,

I = .03 plus W (R - .03)

where R 1 is the lesser of R and .09,

R 2 is the greater of R and .09,

R is the reference interest rate defined in this subdivision, and W is the weighting factor defined in this subdivision,

III. For other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, valued on an issue year basis, except as stated in II above, the formula for life insurance stated in I above shall apply to annuities and guaranteed interest contracts with guarantee durations in excess of 10 years and the formula for single premium immediate annuities stated in II above shall apply to annuities and guaranteed interest contracts with guarantee duration of 10 years or less,

IV. For other annuities with no cash settlement options and for guaranteed interest contracts with no cash settlement options, the formula for single premium immediate annuities stated in II above shall apply,

V. For other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, valued on a change in fund basis, the formula for single premium immediate annuities stated in II above shall apply.

2. However, if the calendar year statutory valuation interest rate for any life insurance policies issued in any calendar year determined without reference to this sentence differs from the corresponding actual rate for similar policies issued in the immediately preceding calendar year by less than one-half of one percent ( 1 / 2 of 1%), the calendar year statutory valuation interest rate for such life insurance policies shall be equal to the corresponding actual rate for the immediately preceding calendar year. For purposes of applying the immediately preceding sentence, the calendar year statutory valuation interest rate for life insurance policies issued in a calendar year shall be determined for 1980 (using the reference interest rate defined for 1979) and shall be determined for each subsequent calendar year regardless of when subdivision (e)(4) of G.S. 58-58-55 becomes operative.

c. Weighting Factors.

1. The weighting factors referred to in the formulas stated above are given in the following tables:

I. Weighting Factors for Life Insurance:

Guarantee

Duration

Weighting

(Years)

Factors

10 or less

.50

More than 10, but not more than 20

.45

More than 20

.35

For life insurance, the guarantee duration is the maximum number of years the life insurance can remain in force on a basis guaranteed in the policy or under options to convert to plans of life insurance with premium rates or nonforfeiture values or both which are guaranteed in the original policy;

II. Weighting factor for single premium immediate annuities and for annuity benefits involving life contingencies arising from other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options:

III. Weighting factors for other annuities and for guaranteed interest contracts, except as stated in II. above, shall be as specified in tables (i), (ii), and (iii) below, according to the rules and definitions in (iv), (v) and (vi) below:

(i)

For annuities and guaranteed interest contracts valued on an issue year basis:

Guarantee

Weighting Factor

Duration

For Plan Type

(Years)

A

B

C

5 or less:

.80

.60

.50

More than 5, but not more than 10:

.75

.60

.50

More than 10, but not more than 20:

.65

.50

.45

More than 20:

.45

.35

.35

(ii)

For annuities and

Plan Type

guaranteed interest

A

B

C

contracts valued on a change in fund basis, the factors shown in (i) above increased by:

.15

.25

.05

(iii)

For annuities and

Plan Type

guaranteed interest

A

B

C

contracts valued on an issue year basis (other than those with no cash settlement options) which do not guarantee interest on considerations received more than one year after issue or purchase and for annuities and guaranteed interest contracts valued on a change in fund basis which do not guarantee interest rates on considerations received more than 12 months beyond the valuation date, the factors shown in (i) or derived in (ii) increased by:

.05

.05

.05

(iv)

For other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, the guarantee duration is the number of years for which the contract guarantees interest rates in excess of the calendar year statutory valuation interest rate for life insurance policies with guarantee duration in excess of 20 years. For other annuities with no cash settlement options and for guaranteed interest contracts with no cash settlement options, the guarantee duration is the number of years from the date of issue or date of purchase to the date annuity benefits are scheduled to commence.

(v)

Plan type as used in the above tables is defined as follows:

Plan Type A: At any time policyholder may withdraw funds only (1) with an adjustment to reflect changes in interest rates or asset values since receipt of the funds by the insurance company, or (2) without such adjustment but in installments over five years or more, or (3) as an immediate life annuity, or (4) no withdrawal permitted.

Plan Type B: Before expiration of the interest rate guarantee, policyholder may withdraw funds only (1) with an adjustment to reflect changes in interest rates or asset values since receipt of the funds by the insurance company, or (2) without such adjustment but in installments over five years or more, or (3) no withdrawal permitted. At the end of interest rate guarantee, funds may be withdrawn without such adjustment in a single sum or installments over less than five years.

Plan Type C: Policyholder may withdraw funds before expiration of interest rate guarantee in a single sum or installments over less than five years either (1) without adjustment to reflect changes in interest rates or asset values since receipt of the funds by the insurance company, or (2) subject only to a fixed surrender charge stipulated in the contract as a percentage of the fund.

(vi)

A company may elect to value guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options and annuities with cash settlement options on either an issue year basis or on a change in fund basis. Guaranteed interest contracts with no cash settlement options and other annuities with no cash settlement options must be valued on an issue year basis. As used in this section, an issue year basis of valuation refers to a valuation basis under which the interest rate used to determine the minimum valuation standard for the entire duration of the annuity or guaranteed interest contract is the calendar year valuation interest rate for the year of issue or year of purchase of the annuity or guaranteed interest contract, and the change in fund basis of valuation refers to a valuation basis under which the interest rate used to determine the minimum valuation standard applicable to each change in the fund held under the annuity or guaranteed interest contract is the calendar year valuation interest rate for the year of the change in the fund.

d. Reference Interest Rate.

1. The reference interest rate referred to in paragraph b of this subdivision shall be defined as follows:

I. For all life insurance, the lesser of the average over a period of 36 months and the average over a period of 12 months, ending on June 30 of the calendar year next preceding the year of issue, of Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates, as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

II. For single premium immediate annuities and for annuity benefits involving life contingencies arising from other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, the average over a period of 12 months, ending on June 30 of the calendar year of issue or year of purchase, of Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates, as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

III. For other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, valued on a year of issue basis, except as stated in II above, with guarantee duration in excess of 10 years, the lesser of the average over a period of 36 months and the average over a period of 12 months, ending on June 30 of the calendar year of issue or purchase, of Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates, as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

IV. For other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, valued on a year of issue basis, except as stated in II above, with guarantee duration of 10 years or less, the average over a period of 12 months, ending on June 30 of the calendar year of issue or purchase, of Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates, as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

V. For other annuities with no cash settlement options and for guaranteed interest contracts with no cash settlement options, the average over a period of 12 months, ending on June 30 of the calendar year of issue or purchase, of Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates, as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

VI. For other annuities with cash settlement options and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, valued on a change in fund basis, except as stated in II above, the average over a period of 12 months, ending on June 30 of the calendar year of the change in the fund, of Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates, as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

e. Alternative Method for Determining Reference Interest Rates.

1. In the event that Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates is no longer published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or in the event that the NAIC determines that Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average--Monthly Average Corporates as published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., is no longer appropriate for the determination of the reference interest rate, than an alternative method for determination of the reference interest rate, which is adopted by the NAIC and approved by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner, may be substituted.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (d1), (g), and (k) of this section reserves according to the Commissioner's reserve valuation method, for the life insurance and endowment benefits of policies providing for a uniform amount of insurance and requiring the payment of uniform premiums, shall be the excess, if any, of the present value, at the date of valuation, of such future guaranteed benefits provided for by such policies, over the then present value of any future modified net premiums therefor. The modified net premiums for any such policy shall be such uniform percentage of the respective contract premiums for such benefits that the present value, at the date of issue of the policy, of all such modified net premiums shall be equal to the sum of the then present value of such benefits provided for by the policy and the excess of (1) and (2), as follows:

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

(2) A net one year term premium for such benefits provided for in the first policy year.

Provided that for any life insurance policy issued on or after January 1, 1985, for which the contract premium in the first policy year exceeds that of the second year and for which no comparable additional benefits are provided in the first year for such excess and which provides an endowment benefit or a cash surrender value of a combination thereof in an amount greater than such excess premium, the reserve according to the Commissioner's reserve valuation method as of any policy anniversary occurring on or before the assumed ending date defined herein as the first policy anniversary on which the sum of any endowment benefit and any cash surrender value then available is greater than such excess premium shall, except as otherwise provided in subsection (g), be the greater of the reserve as of such policy anniversary calculated as described in the first paragraph of this subsection and the reserve as of such policy anniversary calculated as described in that paragraph, but with (i) the value defined in subparagraph (1) of that paragraph being reduced by fifteen percent (15%) of the amount of such excess first year premium, (ii) all present values of benefits and premiums being determined without reference to premiums or benefits provided for by the policy after the assumed ending date, (iii) the policy being assumed to mature on such date as an endowment, and (iv) the cash surrender value provided on such date being considered as an endowment benefit. In making the above comparison the mortality and interest bases stated in subdivisions (2) and (4) of subsection (c) shall be used.

Reserves according to the Commissioner's reserve valuation method for: (i) life insurance policies providing for a varying amount of insurance or requiring the payment of varying premiums; (ii) group annuity and pure endowment contracts purchased under a retirement plan or plan of deferred compensation, established or maintained by an employer (including a partnership or sole proprietorship) or by an employee organization, or by both, other than a plan providing individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities under section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code , as now or hereafter amended; (iii) disability and accidental death benefits in all policies and contracts; and (iv) all other benefits, except life insurance and endowment benefits in life insurance policies and benefits provided by all other annuity and pure endowment contracts, shall be calculated by a method consistent with the principles of this subsection except that any extra premiums charged because of impairments or special hazards shall be disregarded in the determination of modified net premiums.

(d1) This subsection shall apply to all annuity and pure endowment contracts other than group annuity and pure endowment contracts purchased under a retirement plan or plan of deferred compensation, established or maintained by an employer (including a partnership or sole proprietorship) or by an employee organization, or by both, other than a plan providing individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities under section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code , as now or hereafter amended.

Reserves according to the Commissioner's annuity reserve method for benefits under annuity or pure endowment contracts, excluding any disability and accidental death benefits in such contracts, shall be the greatest of the respective excesses of the present values, at the date of valuation, of the future guaranteed benefits, including guaranteed nonforfeiture benefits, provided for by such contracts at the end of each respective contract year, over the present value, at the date of valuation, of any future valuation considerations derived from future gross considerations, required by the terms of such contract, that become payable prior to the end of such respective contract year. The future guaranteed benefits shall be determined by using the mortality table, if any, and the interest rate, or rates, specified in such contracts for determining guaranteed benefits. The valuation considerations are the portions of the respective gross considerations applied under the terms of such contracts to determine nonforfeiture values.

(e) In no event shall a company's aggregate reserves for all life insurance policies, excluding disability and accidental death benefits, issued on or after the effective date of this section, be less than the aggregate reserves calculated in accordance with the methods set forth in subsections (d), (d1), (g) and (h) of this section and the mortality table or tables and rate or rates of interest used in calculating nonforfeiture benefits for such policies. In no event shall the aggregate reserves for all policies, contracts, and benefits be less than the aggregate reserves determined by the appointed actuary to be necessary to render the opinion required by subsection (i) or subsection (j1) of this section.

(f) Reserves for all policies and contracts issued before the effective date of this section may be calculated, at the option of the company, according to any standards that produce greater aggregate reserves for those policies and contracts than the minimum reserves required by the laws in effect immediately before that date.

Reserves for any category of policies, contracts or benefits as established by the Commissioner, issued on or after the effective date of this section may be calculated, at the option of the company, according to any standards that produce greater aggregate reserves for such category than those calculated according to the minimum standard herein provided, but the rate or rates of interest used for policies and contracts, other than annuity and pure endowment contracts, shall not be greater than the corresponding rate or rates of interest used in calculating any nonforfeiture benefits provided in the policies or contracts.

Any such company that adopts any standard of valuation producing greater aggregate reserves than those calculated according to the minimum standard herein provided may, with the approval of the Commissioner, adopt any lower standard of valuation, but not lower than the minimum provided in this section. Provided, however, that for the purposes of this section, the holding of additional reserves previously determined by the appointed actuary to be necessary to render the opinion required by subsection (i) or (j1) of this section shall not be deemed to be the adoption of a higher standard of valuation.

(g) If in any contract year the gross premium charged by any company on any policy or contract is less than the valuation net premium for the policy or contract calculated by the method used in calculating the reserve thereon but using the minimum valuation standards of mortality and rate of interest, the minimum reserve required for such policy or contract shall be the greater of either the reserve calculated according to the mortality table, rate of interest, and method actually used for such policy or contract, or the reserve calculated by the method actually used for such policy or contract but using the minimum valuation standards of mortality and rate of interest and replacing the valuation net premium by the actual gross premium in each contract year for which the valuation net premium exceeds the actual gross premium. The minimum valuation standards of mortality and rate of interest referred to in this subsection are those standards stated in subdivisions (1), (2) and (4) of subsection (c).

Provided that for any life insurance policy issued on or after January 1, 1985, for which the gross premium in the first policy year exceeds that of the second year and for which no comparable additional benefit is provided in the first year for such excess and which provides an endowment benefit or a cash surrender value or a combination thereof in an amount greater than such excess premium, the foregoing provisions of this subsection shall be applied as if the method actually used in calculating the reserve for such policy were the method described in subsection (d), ignoring the second paragraph of subsection (d). The minimum reserve at each policy anniversary of such a policy shall be the greater of the minimum reserve calculated in accordance with subsection (d), including the second paragraph of that subsection, and the minimum reserve calculated in accordance with this subsection.

(h) In the case of any plan of life insurance which provides for future premium determination, the amounts of which are to be determined by the insurance company based on then estimates of future experience, or in the case of any plan of life insurance or annuity which is of such a nature that the minimum reserves cannot be determined by the methods described in subsections (d), (d1) and (g), the reserves which are held under any such plan must:

(1) Be appropriate in relation to the benefits and the pattern of premiums for that plan, and

(2) Be computed by a method which is consistent with the principles of this Standard Valuation Law, as determined by regulations promulgated by the Commissioner.

(i) Prior to the operative date of the valuation manual as specified in G.S. 58-58-51 , every life insurance company doing business in this State shall annually submit the opinion of a qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts specified by the Commissioner by rule are computed appropriately, are based on assumptions that satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with previously reported amounts, and comply with applicable laws of this State. The Commissioner by rule shall define the specifics of this opinion and add any other items deemed to be necessary to its scope. Every life insurance company, except as exempted by or pursuant to rule, shall also annually include in the opinion required by this subsection, an opinion of the same qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts specified by the Commissioner by rule, when considered in light of the assets held by the company with respect to the reserves and related actuarial items, including but not limited to the investment earnings on the assets and the considerations anticipated to be received and retained under the policies and contracts, make adequate provision for the company's obligations under the policies and contracts, including but not limited to the benefits under and expenses associated with the policies and contracts. The Commissioner may provide by rule for a transition period for establishing any higher reserves that the qualified actuary may deem to be necessary in order to render the opinion required by this subsection.

(j) Each opinion required by subsection (i) of this section shall be governed by the following provisions:

(1) A memorandum, in form and substance acceptable to the Commissioner as specified by rule, shall be prepared to support each actuarial opinion.

(2) If the insurance company fails to provide a supporting memorandum at the request of the Commissioner within a period specified by rule or the Commissioner determines that the supporting memorandum provided by the insurance company fails to meet the standards prescribed by the rules or is otherwise unacceptable to the Commissioner, the Commissioner may engage a qualified actuary at the expense of the company to review the opinion and the basis for the opinion and prepare such supporting memorandum as is required by the Commissioner.

(3) The opinion shall be submitted with the annual statement reflecting the valuation of such reserve liabilities for each year ending on or after December 31, 1994.

(4) The opinion shall apply to all business in force including individual and group health insurance plans, in form and substance acceptable to the Commissioner as specified by rule.

(5) The opinion shall be based on standards adopted from time to time by the actuarial standards board and on such additional standards as the Commissioner may by rule prescribe.

(6) In the case of an opinion required to be submitted by a foreign or alien company, the Commissioner may accept the opinion filed by that company with the insurance supervisory official of another state if the Commissioner determines that the opinion reasonably meets the requirements applicable to a company domiciled in this State.

(7) Repealed by S.L. 2015-281, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017 .

(8) Except in cases of fraud or willful misconduct, the qualified actuary shall not be liable for damages to any person (other than the insurance company and the Commissioner) for any act, error, omission, decision, or conduct with respect to the actuary's opinion.

(9) Disciplinary action by the Commissioner against the company or the qualified actuary shall be defined in rules by the Commissioner.

(10) Except as provided in subdivisions (14), (15), and (16) of this subsection, documents, materials, or other information in the possession or control of the Commissioner that are included in a memorandum in support of the opinion, and any other material provided by the company to the Commissioner in connection with the opinion, shall be confidential by law and privileged, shall not be subject to or public records under G.S. 58-2-100 or Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, shall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or admissible in evidence in any private civil action. However, the Commissioner is authorized to use the documents, materials, or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as part of the Commissioner's official duties.

(11) Neither the Commissioner nor any person who received documents, materials, or other information while acting under the authority of the Commissioner shall be permitted or required to testify concerning any confidential documents, materials, or information subject to subdivision (10) of this subsection in any private civil action.

(12) In order to assist in the performance of the Commissioner's duties, the Commissioner may do any of the following:

a. Share documents, materials, or other information, including the confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information subject to subdivision (10) of this subsection, with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with state, federal, and international law enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, material, or other information.

b. Receive documents, materials, or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and from regulatory and law enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions, and maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material, or information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the document, material, or information.

c. Enter into agreements governing sharing and use of information consistent with subdivisions (10) through (12) of this subsection.

(13) No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the documents, materials, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the Commissioner under this section or as a result of sharing authorized by subdivision (12) of this subsection.

(14) A memorandum in support of an opinion, and any other material provided by the company in connection with the memorandum, may be subject to subpoena for the purpose of defending an action seeking damages from the actuary submitting the memorandum by reason of any action required by this section or by rules adopted under this section.

(15) The memorandum or other material may otherwise be released by the Commissioner (i) with the written consent of the company or (ii) to the American Academy of Actuaries upon request stating the memorandum or other material is required for the purpose of professional disciplinary proceedings and setting forth procedures satisfactory to the Commissioner for preserving the confidentiality of the memorandum or other material.

(16) Once any portion of the confidential memorandum is cited by the company in its marketing or is cited before any governmental agency other than a state insurance department or is released by the company to the news media, all portions of the confidential memorandum shall no longer be confidential.

(j1) On or after the operative date of the valuation manual, every company with outstanding life insurance contracts, annuity contracts, pure endowment contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, or deposit-type contracts in this State and subject to regulation by the Commissioner shall annually submit the opinion of the appointed actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts are computed appropriately, are based on assumptions that satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with previously reported amounts, and comply with applicable laws of this State. The valuation manual shall prescribe the specifics of this opinion, including any items deemed to be necessary to its scope. Every company with outstanding life insurance contracts, annuity contracts, pure endowment contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, or deposit-type contracts in this State and subject to regulation by the Commissioner, except as exempted in the valuation manual, shall also annually include in the opinion required by this subsection an opinion of the same appointed actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts specified in the valuation manual, when considered in light of the assets held by the company with respect to the reserves and related actuarial items, including, but not limited to, the investment earnings on the assets and the considerations anticipated to be received and retained under the policies and contracts, make adequate provision for the company's obligations under the policies and contracts, including, but not limited to, the benefits under and expenses associated with the policies and contracts.

(j2) Each opinion required by subsection (j1) of this section shall be governed by the following provisions:

(1) A memorandum, in form and substance as specified in the valuation manual and acceptable to the Commissioner, shall be prepared to support each actuarial opinion.

(2) If the company fails to provide a supporting memorandum at the request of the Commissioner within a period specified in the valuation manual, or the Commissioner determines that the supporting memorandum provided by the company fails to meet the standards prescribed by the valuation manual or is otherwise unacceptable to the Commissioner, the Commissioner may engage a qualified actuary at the expense of the company to review the opinion and the basis for the opinion and prepare such supporting memorandum as is required by the Commissioner.

(3) The opinion shall be in form and substance as specified in the valuation manual and acceptable to the Commissioner.

(4) The opinion shall be submitted with the annual statement reflecting the valuation of such reserve liabilities for each year ending on or after the operative date of the valuation manual.

(5) The opinion shall apply to all policies and contracts subject to subsection (j1) of this section plus other actuarial liabilities as specified in the valuation manual.

(6) The opinion shall be based on standards adopted from time to time by the Actuarial Standards Board or its successor and on such additional standards as may be prescribed in the valuation manual.

(7) In the case of an opinion required to be submitted by a foreign or alien company, the Commissioner may accept the opinion filed by that company with the insurance supervisory official of another state if the Commissioner determines that the opinion reasonably meets the requirements applicable to a company domiciled in this State.

(8) Except in cases of fraud or willful misconduct, the appointed actuary shall not be liable for damages to any person (other than the company and the Commissioner) for any act, error, omission, decision, or conduct with respect to the appointed actuary's opinion.

(9) Disciplinary action by the Commissioner against the company or the appointed actuary shall be defined in rules by the Commissioner.

(k) The Commissioner shall adopt rules containing the minimum standards applicable to the valuation of accident and health insurance contracts issued prior to the operative date of the valuation manual. The Commissioner may also adopt rules for the purpose of recognizing new annuity mortality tables for use in determining reserve liabilities for annuities and may adopt rules that govern minimum valuation standards for reserves of life insurance companies. In adopting these rules, the Commissioner may consider model laws and regulations promulgated and amended from time to time by the NAIC.

( l ) The Commissioner may adopt rules for life insurers for the following matters:

(1) Reserves for contracts issued by insurers.

(2) Optional smoker-nonsmoker mortality tables permitted for use in determining minimum reserve liabilities and nonforfeiture benefits.

(3) Optional blended gender mortality tables permitted for use in determining nonforfeiture benefits for individual life policies.

(4) Optional tables acceptable for use in determining reserves and minimum cash surrender values and amounts of paid-up nonforfeiture benefits.

(5) Assumptions for policyholder withdrawal rates for use in determining minimum reserve liabilities.

In adopting these rules, the Commissioner may consider model laws and regulations promulgated and amended from time to time by the NAIC.

(m) The valuation manual shall apply as described in this subsection:

(1) For policies issued on or after the operative date of the valuation manual, the standard prescribed in the valuation manual is the minimum standard of valuation required under subsections (b2) and (b3) of this section, except as provided under subdivision (5) or (7) of this subsection.

(2) The operative date of the valuation manual is specified in G.S. 58-58-51(b) .

(3) Unless a change in the valuation manual specifies a later effective date, changes to the valuation manual shall be effective on January 1 of the year following the date when the change to the valuation manual has been adopted by the NAIC by an affirmative vote representing each of the following:

a. At least three-fourths of the members of the NAIC voting but not less than a majority of the total membership.

b. Members of the NAIC representing jurisdictions totaling more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the direct premiums written as reported in the following annual statements most recently available prior to the vote described in this subdivision: life, accident and health annual statements; health annual statements; and fraternal annual statements.

(4) The valuation manual must specify all of the following:

a. Minimum valuation standards for and definitions of the policies or contracts subject to subsections (b2) and (b3) of this section. Such minimum valuation standards shall be as follows:

1. The Commissioner's reserve valuation method for life insurance contracts subject to subsections (b2) and (b3) of this section.

2. The Commissioner's annuity reserve valuation method for annuity contracts subject to subsections (b2) and (b3) of this section.

3. Minimum reserves for all other policies or contracts subject to subsections (b2) and (b3) of this section.

b. The policies or contracts or types of policies or contracts that are subject to the requirements of a principle-based valuation as described in subsection (n) of this section and the minimum valuation standards consistent with those requirements.

c. For policies and contracts subject to a principle-based valuation under subsection (n) of this section, each of the following:

1. Requirements for the format of reports to the Commissioner under sub-subdivision (2)c. of subsection (n) of this section. Such reports shall include information necessary to determine if the valuation is appropriate and in compliance with this section.

2. Assumptions shall be prescribed for risks over which the company does not have significant control or influence.

3. Procedures for corporate governance and oversight of the actuarial function and a process for appropriate waiver or modification of such procedures.

d. For policies not subject to a principle-based valuation under subsection (n) of this section, the minimum valuation standard shall either:

1. Be consistent with the minimum standard of valuation prior to the operative date of the valuation manual; or

2. Develop reserves that quantify the benefits and guarantees, and the funding, associated with the contracts and their risks at a level of conservatism that reflects conditions that include unfavorable events that have a reasonable probability of occurring.

e. Other requirements, including, but not limited to, those relating to reserve methods, models for measuring risk, generation of economic scenarios, assumptions, margins, use of company experience, risk measurement, disclosure, certifications, reports, actuarial opinions and memorandums, transition rules, and internal controls.

f. The data and form of the data required under subsection (o) of this section, to whom the data must be submitted, and may specify other requirements, including data analyses and reporting of analyses.

(5) In the absence of a specific valuation requirement, or if a specific valuation requirement in the valuation manual is not, in the opinion of the Commissioner, in compliance with this section, then the company shall, with respect to such requirements, comply with minimum valuation standards prescribed by the Commissioner by rule.

(6) The Commissioner may engage a qualified actuary, at the expense of the company, to perform an actuarial examination of the company and opine on the appropriateness of any reserve assumption or method used by the company, or to review and opine on a company's compliance with any requirement set forth in this section. The Commissioner may rely upon the opinion, regarding provisions contained in this section, of a qualified actuary engaged by the insurance regulator of another state, district, or territory of the United States. As used in this subdivision, the term “ engage ” includes employment and contracting.

(7) The Commissioner may require a company to change any assumption or method that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is necessary in order to comply with the requirements of the valuation manual or this section; and the company shall adjust the reserves as required by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may take other disciplinary action as specified in rules adopted by the Commissioner.

(n) The requirements of this subsection shall apply to any principle-based valuation of policies issued on or after the operative date of the valuation manual:

(1) A company using a principle-based valuation for one or more policies or contracts subject to this subsection as specified in the valuation manual must establish, for those policies and contracts, reserves that meet all of the following:

a. Quantify the benefits and guarantees, and the funding, associated with the contracts and their risks at a level of conservatism that reflects conditions that include unfavorable events that have a reasonable probability of occurring during the lifetime of the contracts. For policies or contracts with significant tail risk, the reserves shall reflect conditions appropriately adverse to quantify the tail risk.

b. Incorporate assumptions, risk analysis methods, financial models, and management techniques that are consistent with, but not necessarily identical to, those utilized within the company's overall risk assessment process, while recognizing potential differences in financial reporting structures and any prescribed assumptions or methods.

c. Incorporate assumptions that are derived in one of the following manners:

1. The assumption is prescribed in the valuation manual.

2. For assumptions that are not prescribed, the assumptions shall (i) be established utilizing the company's available experience, to the extent it is relevant and statistically credible; or (ii) to the extent that company data is not available, relevant, or statistically credible, be established utilizing other relevant, statistically credible experience.

d. Provide margins for uncertainty, including adverse deviation and estimation error, such that the greater the uncertainty, the larger the margin and resulting reserve.

(2) A company using a principle-based valuation for one or more policies or contracts subject to this subsection as specified in the valuation manual shall do the following:

a. Establish procedures for corporate governance and oversight of the actuarial valuation function consistent with those described in the valuation manual.

b. Provide to the Commissioner and the board of directors an annual certification of the effectiveness of the internal controls with respect to the principle-based valuation. Such controls shall be designed to assure that all material risks inherent in the liabilities and associated assets subject to such valuation are included in the valuation and that valuations are made in accordance with the valuation manual. The certification shall be based on the controls in place as of the end of the preceding calendar year.

c. Develop, and file with the Commissioner upon request, a principle-based valuation report that complies with standards prescribed in the valuation manual.

(o) A company shall submit mortality, morbidity, policyholder behavior, or expense experience and other data as prescribed in the valuation manual.

(p) The confidentiality of documents, materials, and other information provided to the Commissioner under this section shall be maintained as described in this subsection:

(1) For purposes of this subsection, “ confidential information ” shall include all of the following:

a. A memorandum in support of an opinion submitted under subsection (i) or (j1) of this section and any other documents, materials, and other information, including, but not limited to, all working papers, and copies thereof, created, produced, or obtained by or disclosed to the Commissioner or any other person in connection with such memorandum.

b. All documents, materials, and other information, including, but not limited to, all working papers, and copies thereof, created, produced, or obtained by or disclosed to the Commissioner or any other person in the course of an examination made under subdivision (6) of subsection (m) of this section; provided, however, that if an examination report or other material prepared in connection with an examination made under the Examination Law ( G.S. 58-2-131 through G.S. 58-2-134 ) is not held as private and confidential information under the Examination Law, an examination report or other material prepared in connection with an examination made under subdivision (6) of subsection (m) of this section shall not be “confidential information” to the same extent as if such examination report or other material had been prepared under the Examination Law.

c. Any reports, documents, materials, and other information developed by a company in support of, or in connection with, an annual certification by the company under sub-subdivision (2)b. of subsection (n) of this section evaluating the effectiveness of the company's internal controls with respect to a principle-based valuation and any other documents, materials, and other information, including, but not limited to, all working papers, and copies thereof, created, produced, or obtained by or disclosed to the Commissioner or any other person in connection with such reports, documents, materials, and other information.

d. Any principle-based valuation report developed under sub-subdivision (2)c. of subsection (n) of this section and any other documents, materials, and other information, including, but not limited to, all working papers, and copies thereof, created, produced, or obtained by or disclosed to the Commissioner or any other person in connection with such report.

e. Any documents, materials, data, and other information submitted by a company under subsection (o) of this section (collectively, “experience data”) and any other documents, materials, data, and other information, including, but not limited to, all working papers, and copies thereof, created or produced in connection with such experience data, in each case that includes any potentially company-identifying or personally identifiable information, that is provided to or obtained by the Commissioner (together with any “experience data,” the “experience materials”) and any other documents, materials, data, and other information, including, but not limited to, all working papers, and copies thereof, created, produced, or obtained by or disclosed to the Commissioner or any other person in connection with such experience materials.

(2) Except as provided in this subsection, a company's confidential information is confidential by law and privileged, shall not be subject to or considered public record under G.S. 58-2-100 or Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, shall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or admissible in evidence in any private civil action. However, the Commissioner is authorized to use the confidential information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the Commissioner's official duties.

(3) Neither the Commissioner nor any person who received confidential information while acting under the authority of the Commissioner shall be permitted or required to testify in any private civil action concerning any confidential information.

(4) In order to assist in the performance of the Commissioner's duties, the Commissioner may share confidential information (i) with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies and with the NAIC and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and (ii) in the case of confidential information specified in sub-subdivisions (1)a. and (1)d. of this subsection only, with the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline or its successor upon request stating that the confidential information is required for the purpose of professional disciplinary proceedings and with state, federal, and international law enforcement officials; in the case of (i) and (ii), provided that such recipient agrees, and has the legal authority to agree, to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of such documents, materials, data, and other information in the same manner and to the same extent as required for the Commissioner.

(5) The Commissioner may receive documents, materials, data, and other information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, data, or information, from the NAIC and its affiliates and subsidiaries, from regulatory or law enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions and from the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline or its successor and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material, data, or other information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the document, material, or other information.

(6) The Commissioner may enter into agreements governing the sharing and use of information consistent with this subsection.

(7) No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the confidential information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the Commissioner under this subsection or as a result of sharing as authorized in subdivision (4) of this subsection.

(8) A privilege established under the law of any state or jurisdiction that is substantially similar to the privilege established under this subsection shall be available and enforced in any proceeding in, and in any court of, this State.

(9) In this subsection, “ regulatory agency ,” “ law enforcement agency ,” and the “ NAIC ” include, but are not limited to, their employees, agents, consultants, and contractors.

(10) Notwithstanding subdivisions (2) through (9) of this subsection, confidential information specified in sub-subdivisions (1)a. and (1)d. of this subsection may be subject to subpoena for the purpose of defending an action seeking damages from the appointed actuary submitting the related memorandum in support of an opinion submitted under subsection (i) or (j1) of this section or a principle-based valuation report developed under sub-subdivision (2)c. of subsection (n) of this section by reason of an action required by this section or by rules promulgated by the Commissioner. Such confidential information may otherwise be released by the Commissioner with the written consent of the company. Once any portion of a memorandum in support of an opinion submitted under subsection (i) or (j1) of this section or a principle-based valuation report developed under sub-subdivision (2)c. of subsection (n) of this section is cited by the company in its marketing or is publicly volunteered to or before a governmental agency other than a state insurance department or is released by the company to the news media, all portions of such memorandum or report shall no longer be confidential.

(q) The Commissioner may exempt specific product forms or product lines of a domestic company that is licensed and doing business only in this State from the requirements of subsection (m) of this section, provided (i) the Commissioner has issued an exemption in writing to the company and has not subsequently revoked the exemption in writing and (ii) the company computes reserves using assumptions and methods used prior to the operative date of the valuation manual in addition to any requirements established by the Commissioner by rule. For any company granted an exemption under this subsection, the following subsections of this section shall be applicable: (c), (d), (d1), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (j1), (j2), and (k), excluding any references to subsection (m) found therein.

(r) The Department shall have full authority to enter into contracts or other agreements with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other state, entity, or person to fulfill the requirements of this section. Such contracts shall not be subject to Articles 3, 3C, and 8 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes or any rules and procedures adopted under those Articles concerning procurement, contracting, and contract review.