Description: The decrease in interest rates over the last several years has led to decreases in the maximum valuation rate and maximum nonforfeiture interest rate, and companies need to prepare for these changes.

Description: An update on the principle-based reserves (PBR) process and possible valuation manual adoption, with recommendations to actuaries on how to prepare.

Description: This article provides some insights into the creativity employed in cash flow testing to help ensure the sound survival of small companies that have limited means.

Description: In a Q&A format, two actuaries talk about the challenges for smaller companies in moving to a PBR world.

Description: This article on insurance regulation discusses the highlights of the Optional Federal Charter OFC – current developments, its opponents and proponents, accounting implications, and implications for small insurers.

Description: The Chair of the Smaller Insurance Company Section discusses several topics including our global economy and how economies are interrelated, disaster recovery plans, and the appropriate diversification of risk.

Description: Discusses preparations needed, and risks of not preparing, for the Year 2000.

Description: Excerpts of blast emails sent out by the SmallCo Section are highlighted, covering life insurance valuation, federal reserve action, and nonforfeiture interest rates.

Description: Discusses some of the new and different ideas being considered by the Wilcox Committee that is working on the Unified Valuation System, UVS, especially as they relate to smaller companies.

Description: This article discusses catastrophic mortality risk and ways that smaller insurance companies can manage the risk, including traditional catastrophe reinsurance, accidental death carve-outs, and catastrophic claim pools.