Section in a life and health insurance company that oversees the company and is operated on a mathematically sound basis. This department calculates premium and dividend rates, establishes a company’s reserve liabilities, and figures nonforfeiture, surrender, and loan values. Its research predicts mortality and morbidity rates, and this helps sets the guidelines for selecting risks and establishes the profits of the company’s products.
Insurance Encyclopedia
Actuarial firm
For FSMA purposes, it is a firm (including a sole practitioner) that is managed and/or controlled by individuals who are members of the Institute of Actuaries or Faculty of Actuaries and who are entitled to practise the profession of actuary (typically a consulting firm). Actuarial firms that carry on regulated activities must either become an authorised professional firm to carry on regulated activities, or apply to the Institute for a designated professional body (DPB) licence. The activities are then classed as exempt regulated activities as set out in the DPB Handbook as they are incidental to the firm’s professional services.
Actuarial function
A required FSA function. See APPOINTED ACTUARY.
Actuarial increase
The extra pension granted to a pension scheme member who has deferred his pension beyond normal retirement age.
Actuarial liability
The amount, using actuarial assumptions and methods, a pension scheme will have to pay out as pension benefits and expenses after the date of the actuarial valuation. It includes the present value of instalments of pensions in payment and related contingency benefits, the present value of future payments in respect of deferred pensioners and a provision for all active members.
Actuarial rates
One-half the expected monthly cost of the supplemental medical insurance (SMI) program for each aged enrollee (for the aged actuarial rate) and one-half the expected monthly cost for each disabled enrollee (for the disabled actuarial rate) for the duration the rate is in effect.
Actuarial reduction
The reduction in a pension scheme member’s accrued pension benefits because he has retired early. The reduction helps to cover the additional costs brought about by early retirement.
Actuarial report
A report in the format required by the FSA on an actuarial valuation. The name is also used when an actuary reports how changes to a pension scheme might affect it financially.
Actuarial soundness
1. Measure of the adequacy of hospital insurance and supplementary medical insurance (SMI) financing as determined by the difference between trust fund assets and liabilities for specified periods. 2. A pension fund is considered to be actuarially sound when the amount of money in the fund and the current level of contributions to the fund are sufficient to meet the liabilities that have accrued and are accruing on a current basis.
Actuarial statement
Statement required by the Disclosure Regulations to be included in the annual report. It must show, in the prescribed form, the security of the accrued and prospective rights of pension scheme members and be signed by an actuary. See DISCLOSURE 1.