Advocacy Activities – November 2020

The ramifications of national and state elections to Alliance advocacy efforts are not yet known. At press time, many of election results have not been confirmed, and our federal lobbying firm Capitol Counsel has been providing continual updates. When all results are in, Capitol Counsel will provide an overview which we will share with the membership as soon as possible.

Alliance Virtual Education Opportunities

ENCORE: December 15-16

ENCORE Registration is Open!

Fraternal members who register by December 7 will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $50 Starbucks gift cards.

ENCORE will provide all members and industry friends with exciting Alliance news, voting by delegates, fraternal-specific education, and a way to celebrate what motivates all of us – the chance to make a difference in our communities and our members’ lives.

The complimentary, two-day event will come to a networking crescendo for our fraternal leaders as they connect with each other and with sponsors through an astonishing new platform called Remo.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE

COMPELLING TABLE TOPICS, UNIQUE FORMAT, AND MANY ATTENDEE PRIZES LIKE IPADS AND MORE!

Partnership with LIC – Complimentary Registration for Fraternal Executives at Upcoming Virtual Events

Through a new partnership, the Alliance is happy to announce it will subsidize the registration fees for fraternal executives who wish to participate in the Life Insurance Council’s virtual events that are known to foster valuable interaction. Membership in LIC is not required.

LIC Pre Need Forum – Virtual Meeting Co-Sponsored by the Alliance
The Future of Preneed
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 – Thursday, November 19, 2020
Click here for details and complimentary link.

Fraternal Benefit Society Member News

Best Market Segment Report: COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates U.S. Fraternals’ Challenges

The U.S. fraternal life industry, which already in having difficulties generating premium and growing membership, now is dealing with the additional challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new AM Best report. Read More

Several Fraternals Appear on Forbes Best Insurance Company List By State

Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to produce our first annual look at the Best Insurance Companies in each state by covering five products. Read More

Fraternals Respond: COVID Aid by Alliance Members Making a Significant Impact

Alliance members are fulfilling their missions through swift and substantial actions since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Read here how our societies are helping members and communities through a wide variety of programs. Email info@fraternalalliance.org with details on how your fraternal is making a difference.

Member Services

NAIC Bond Factors Update

As you may recall, the Investment RBC Working Group has been disbanded and the Life Risk-Based Capital Working Group (LRBCWG) has taken over its charge related to ‘Discuss and determine the bond factors for the 20 designations’. The LRBCWG met on October 9, 2020 to discuss various agenda items including a memo from the Financial Condition (E) Committee regarding the RBC Bond Factors. It is becoming more apparent that the LRBCWG will adopt revised bond factors and a revised portfolio adjustment factor for the 2021 Annual RBC formula.

As a result of this development, we encourage you to evaluate the latest proposal which is based on a report from the American Academy of Actuaries. Based on previous analyses, the impact of these changes will most likely increase your C-1 risk and reduce your RBC ratio.

We encourage you to review the links and how it would impact your Society as you begin planning for 2021. Please contact us with any concerns about this update as we are collaborating with the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) on monitoring the progress of this issue.

(This assistance comes from Tip Tipton at Thrivent.)

The Impact of Valuation and Nonforfeiture Rate Changes on Life Products

Market interest rates have dropped to unprecedented low levels over the last few months, creating a substantial financial impact on insurers’ life portfolios. Will you need to file policy forms and actuarial memorandums? Read More

Associate Members

Parkway Advisors: The Insurance Perspective

This third volume of 2020 includes our Economic Commentary written by our Director of Consulting, Kyle Timmermann, as well as a special write up on Seeking Income in a Low Interest Rate Environment by Trevor Rupe. Read More

KBRA Research: Quarterly (Re)Insurance Insights: COVID-19, Cats, and Pricing

KBRA releases its Quarterly (Re)Insurance Insights report in which we provide our views on key insurance and reinsurance industry trends in the U.S. life, U.S. property/casualty (P/C), and global reinsurance subsectors. Read More

KBRA Affirms the Rating for Modern Woodmen of America

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) affirms the AA- insurance financial strength rating (IFSR) for Modern Woodmen of America (Modern Woodmen or MWA). The Outlook for the rating is Stable. Read More

Equisoft Live Webinar: Tackling Your Digital Customer Experience Challenges Key Strategies for Life Insurance Carriers.

The rapidly evolving life insurance landscape has heightened customer needs for digital, multi-channel, real-time engagement. Solving this customer experience challenge has become a top priority for carriers around the world. Read More

Compliance

First Consulting Compliance Updates by State

Check out this latest information from First Consulting on their Legislative Monitoring Tracking Chart.
*Please take note that two new search terms are added to the chart – Wildfires and Hurricane. Read More (login required)

The Alliance would like to bring your attention to:

Alabama Insurance Department Publications: Bulletin 2020-18 09-24-20.

The DOI issued a directive providing a 60 day grace period for hurricane victims who are required to perform any act or transmit information or funds on or after September 15, 2020. The time limit is extended to and including November 15, 2020 with no interest, penalties or other charges. This directive does not apply to new policies issued on or after September 16, 2020.

Oregon Insurance Department Publications: Emergency Order of September 25, 2020

The Division of Insurance (DOI) issues this wildfire emergency order which is in effect through 10/17/20. This order amends the September 18, 2020 Wildfire Emergency Order. Outlines in detail the actions ALL insurers are required to immediately take for the reporting of claims and other communications about claims; immediately institute a grace period for premium payments; and take actions regarding cancellations and non-renewals.

Fixed and Variable Deferred Annuity Outline

On October 6, 2020, the New York Department of Financial Services published an updated Individual Fixed and Variable Deferred Annuity Product Outline to replace the version updated May 20, 2014.

WI Bulletin dated October 13, 2020

Wisconsin reports that it has a new electronic Financial Filing Portal available for companies to make financial related filings.

Delaware Universally Applicable Bulletin No. 5 (UPDATED)

Certain portions of the Insurance Data Security Act were to be implemented no later than August 1, 2020. This bulletin changes the Department’s email address to which a notice of data breach is to be sent. Also, insurers are required to submit an annual certification of compliance with this law no later than February 15 with an affidavit.

Best Interest Standard for Annuities – Update from First Consulting

As more states begin to discuss passing the 2020 revision to the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Regulation, additional questions have surfaced. Those questions and answers dealing with the “best interest standard of conduct” are captured in the FAQ document. Read More (login required)

Regulation

Six States Move Forward with Best Interest Rules For Annuities

Six states are moving forward to adopt new best interest standards for annuities, which were adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in February. Read More

Volunteerism

Pandemic Sparking New Wave of Volunteerism

People are primed to offer their time and sweat to nonprofits once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, according to Civic Life Today, a new study from Points of Light. Read More