Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 23 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND REGULATED INDUSTRIES (§§ 23-1-101 — 23-119-105) › Subtitle 3 - INSURANCE (§§ 23-60-101 — 23-103-417) › Chapter 84 - STANDARD VALUATION LAW FOR LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES (§§ 23-84-101 — 23-84-119) › Section 23-84-112 - Actuarial opinion of reserves - Definition

(a)
Actuarial Opinion Prior to Operative Date of the Valuation Manual.
(1)
General.
(A)
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 Insurance Commissioner by rule are computed appropriately, are based on assumptions which satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with prior reported amounts, and comply with applicable laws of this state.
(B)
By rule, the commissioner shall define the specifics of this opinion and add any other items deemed to be necessary to its scope.
(2)
Actuarial Analysis of Reserves and Assets Supporting Such Reserves.
(A)
Except as exempted by or pursuant to rule, every life insurance company shall also annually include in the opinion required by subdivision (a)(1) of this section 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.
(B)
The commissioner may provide by rule for a transition period for establishing any higher reserves which the qualified actuary may deem necessary in order to render the opinion required by this section.
(3)
REQUIREMENTS FOR OPINION UNDER SUBDIVISION (a)(2) OF THIS SECTION. An opinion required by subdivision (a)(2) of this section shall be governed by the following provisions:
(A)
A memorandum, in form and substance acceptable to the commissioner as specified by rule, shall be prepared to support each actuarial opinion; and
(B)
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.
(4)
Requirement for All Opinions Subject to this Subsection.
An opinion required by this subsection shall be governed by the following provisions:
(A)
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, 1995;
(B)
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;
(C)
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;
(D)
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;
(E)
For the purposes of this section, "qualified actuary" means a member in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries who meets the requirements set forth in such rules;
(F)
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;
(G)
Disciplinary action by the commissioner against the company or the qualified actuary shall be defined in rules by the commissioner; and
(H)
(i)
Any memorandum in support of the opinion and any other material provided by the company to the commissioner in connection therewith shall be kept confidential by the commissioner and shall not be made public and shall not be subject to subpoena, other than for the purpose of defending an action seeking damages from any person by reason of any action required by this section or by rules promulgated under this chapter.
(ii)
However, the memorandum or other material may otherwise be released by the commissioner:
(a)
With the written consent of the company; or
(b)
To the American Academy of Actuaries upon request stating that 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.
(iii)
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 be no longer confidential.
(b)
Actuarial Opinion of Reserves after Operative Date of the Valuation Manual.
(1)
General.
(A)
A company with an outstanding policy or contract in this state that is subject to regulation by the commissioner annually shall submit the opinion of an appointed actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policy or contract:
(i)
Are computed appropriately;
(ii)
Are based on assumptions that satisfy contractual provisions;
(iii)
Are consistent with prior reported amounts; and
(iv)
Comply with applicable laws of this state.
(B)
The valuation manual shall prescribe the content and scope of the opinion.
(2)
Actuarial Analysis of Reserves and Assets Supporting Such Reserves.
A company with an outstanding policy or contract in this state that is subject to rules promulgated by the commissioner, except as exempted in the valuation manual, annually shall include in the opinion required by subdivision (b)(1) of this section an opinion of the appointed actuary under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section 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 without limitation 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 without limitation the benefits under and expenses associated with the policies and contracts.
(3)
REQUIREMENTS FOR OPINION UNDER SUBDIVISION (b)(2) OF THIS SECTION. The opinion required by subdivision (b)(2) of this section shall be governed by the following provisions:
(A)
A memorandum in the form and substance specified in the valuation manual and acceptable to the commissioner shall be prepared to support each actuarial opinion; and
(B)
If the insurance 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 insurance 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 the supporting memorandum required by the commissioner.
(4)
Requirement for All Opinions Subject to this Subsection.
(A)
An opinion governed by this subsection shall:
(i)
Be in form and substance as specified in the valuation manual and acceptable to the commissioner;
(ii)
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;
(iii)
Apply to all policies and contracts subject to subdivision (b)(2) of this section, plus other actuarial liabilities as may be specified in the valuation manual; and
(iv)
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.
(B)
In the case of an opinion required to be submitted by a foreign or alien company, the commissioner may accept the opinion filed by the company with the public official or regulatory authority responsible for regulating insurance companies of another state if the commissioner determines that the opinion reasonably meets the requirements applicable to a company domiciled in this state.
(C)
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 under this subsection.
(D)
Disciplinary action by the commissioner against the company or the appointed actuary shall be prescribed by rule of the commissioner.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2740, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2739, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2738, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 1223,§ 44, eff. 7/22/2015.
Acts 1995, No. 621, § 1.
See Act 2015, No. 1223, § 26.