Additional Standards for Index-Linked Crediting Feature for Deferred Non-Variable Annuities and the General Account Portion of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts
Table of Contents
1. Date Adopted: June 29, 2021
2. Purpose and Scope: These additional standards apply to index-linked crediting features that
are built-in to individual deferred non-variable annuity contracts or the general account portion
of individual deferred variable annuity contracts.
3. Rules Repealed, Amended or Suspended by the Rule: In accordance with the 5-year Commission Review of Rules required by § 119 of the Rule for the Adoption, Amendment and Repeal of Rules for the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission, this rule amends the Additional Standards for Index-Linked Crediting Feature for Deferred Non-Variable Annuities and the General Account Portion of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts adopted by the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission (“IIPRC”) on May 30, 2008 and amended on November 14, 2021. The amendments add a definition for “nonforfeiture rate” and to clarify throughout that references to NAIC Model 805 are modified to use this definition for annuities filed with the Compact. The amendments apply only to new filings received after the effective date of the amendments. It is not necessary to resubmit previously approved forms to comply with these amendments, or to suspend use of previously approved forms that do not comply with these amendments. See the Transmittal Memo under the Standards History on the Record for a more detailed description of the amendments.
4. Statutory Authority: Among the IIPRC’s primary purposes and powers is to establish
reasonable uniform standards for the insurance products covered in the Interstate Insurance
Product Regulation Compact (“Compact”), specifically pursuant to Article I §2, Article IV §2
and Article VII §1 of the Compact, as enacted into law by each IIPRC member state.
5. Required Findings: None
6. Effective Date: October 13, 2021
Scope: These standards apply to index-linked crediting features that are built-in to individual deferred non-variable annuity contracts or the general account portion of individual deferred variable annuity contracts.
Mix and Match: These standards are available to be used in combination with State Product Components as described in Section 111(b) of the Operating Procedure for the Filing and Approval of Product Filings.
Self-Certification: These standards are not available to be filed on a self-certification basis in accordance with the Rule for the Self-Certification of Products Filed with the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission.
In addition to the Core Standards requirements for the applicable individual deferred annuity contract, the following standards, as appropriate, apply:
§ 1 ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following additional filing submission requirements shall apply:
(1) The actuarial memorandum submitted with the form shall include the following information:
(a) A description of the index or indices used as the basis for the interest credited to the contract, and all elements used in determining the credited rate from an index, including but not limited to, index-linked interest caps, participation rates, index allocations, interest allocations, periods, terms, floors, and margins. Any guarantees or ranges associated with these elements shall be included.
(b) An example showing the derivation of the credited rate based on an assumed value of each index and crediting method available under the contract;
(c) An opinion statement that the company's investments backing the contract or the applicable general account portion of the contract are appropriate considering the index used and including confirmation that this opinion is based on the actuary's review of the Company's documented investment policy as it relates to index-linked annuities; and
(d) If the company chooses to take an additional reduction in the initial nonforfeiture rate in accordance with Section 4C of the NAIC Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities, model #805, a demonstration of compliance with Section 4C. Compliance shall be demonstrated as described in Section 7B(1)-(3) of the NAIC Annuity Nonforfeiture Model Regulation, model #806, and include the certification required by Section 7B(3) of that Model Regulation, which is attached as the Index-Linked Appendix. The certification shall include a statement by the company that it will also comply with the annual certification requirements of Section 7B(4) of the Model Regulation.
(1) The following items shall only be changed upon prior approval:
(a) Index or indices used in determining the credited rate.
(2) Guaranteed elements used in determining the credited rate from an index may be changed for new issues without prior notice or approval, as long as the Statement of Variability presents reasonable and realistic ranges for each guaranteed element. At issue a single value within the range filed for the guaranteed element shall be applicable for the life of the contract. Any change to the range filed for a guaranteed element requires a refilling for prior approval and shall be accompanied by a demonstration, if applicable, signed by a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, that the contracts issued within the new range comply with the NAIC Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities, model #805, as interpreted in the Core Standards for Individual Deferred Non-Variable Annuity Contract to which these standards apply.
(1) The contract shall contain a brief description that shall appear in prominent print on the cover page of the contract or is visible without opening the contract. The brief description shall contain at least the following information:
(a) A caption of the type of annuity coverage provided; for example, flexible premium deferred annuity contract with an index-linked interest option, if the index account is not optional, then flexible premium deferred annuity contract with index-linked interest.
(b) Disclosure that while contract values may be affected by an external index or indices, the contract does not directly participate in any stock or equity investment, if applicable.
(1) The specifications page of the contract shall include the index or indices used.
(2) The specifications page shall include any guaranteed elements used in determining the
credited rate from an index and a statement, if applicable, that:
(a) Index-linked returns do not include the portion of returns generated by the underlying index that come from dividends; and
(b) The elements used in determining the credited rate from the index are not guaranteed and can be changed by the company, subject to the guarantees in the contract, and that any such changes can affect the return.
(1) The contract may provide for amendments made pursuant to the Discontinuation of or Substantial Change to an Index section of the standards. The change shall be made by the use of an endorsement subject to the applicable prior approval requirement.
(1) The guaranteed interest rate shall be stated numerically, if possible, or, if not, by formula.
(2) Values of any elements used in determining a credited rate from an index and which are
used in determining the account value, cash surrender value, annuity value and death benefit and are stated in the contract shall be guaranteed. Values of nonguaranteed elements shall not be included in the contract.
(3) The contract shall indicate which elements are guaranteed and which may be changed at
the discretion of the company. The contract shall also indicate that the right to change any of these elements is subject to any guarantees with respect to the element and that any change shall be based on future anticipated experience.
C. DISCONTINUATION OF OR SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE TO AN INDEX
(1) The contract shall contain a provision indicating what occurs when any index is discontinued or the calculation of an index is substantially changed, with the provision being labeled as such. The provision shall state that if the index is discontinued or if the calculation of the index is changed substantially, the company may substitute a comparable index subject to approval by the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission. The contract shall also specify that, before a substitute index is used, the company shall notify the owner and any assignee of the substitution.
(2) The approval shall be contingent on the company providing the IIPRC with either confirmation that the index has been discontinued or documentation of the substantial change to the index and the reasons supporting the need for the index to be discontinued.
Actuarial Certification of Compliance with the NAIC Model Annuity Nonforfeiture Regulation
For Index-Linked Crediting Feature of Individual Deferred Non-Variable Annuities
Or the General Account Portion of Individual Deferred Variable Annuities
I, (state name and professional designation) am responsible for evaluating compliance with the NAIC Model Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities and the NAIC Annuity
Nonforfeiture Model Regulation for (name of insurance company). I have reviewed (identify contract form) and am familiar with the NAIC Standard Nonforfeiture Law for Individual Deferred Annuities and the NAIC Annuity Nonforfeiture Model Regulation and the nonforfeiture requirements in Core Standards for Individual Deferred Non-Variable Annuity Contract, IIPRC-A-02-I, as they pertain to index-linked annuities (called equity-indexed annuities in the model law and regulation). I have also reviewed the methodology that will be used in calculating and setting assumptions for the additional reduction in nonforfeiture rate for index-linked annuities. Based on my review, I certify that the methodology used for (identify contract form) meets the minimum nonforfeiture requirements in Core Standards for Individual Deferred Non-Variable Annuity Contract, IIPRC-A-02-I.
________________________________________(Name of actuary)
________________________________________(Signature of actuary)
________________________________________(Date of certification)
Effective on 10/13/2021
Amendments to indicate that the minimum nonforfeiture rate follow the provision based on each state’s statute in effect at the time a policy is issued.
Effective 10/13/2021
Active
Amendments to indicate that the minimum nonforfeiture rate follow the provision based on each state’s statute in effect at the time a policy is issued.
Effective 3/5/2015
to 10/12/2021
Inactive
The purpose of this amendment is to revise the Additional Standards for Index-Linked Crediting Feature for Deferred Non-Variable Annuities And The General Account Portion Of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts in accordance with the Five-Year Commission Review of Rules required by Section 119 of the Rule for the Adoption, Amendment and Repeal of Rules for the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission. The procedures adopted by the Management Committee in March 2012 for implementing the Five-Year Review process limit the scope of review under Section 119 to identifying "the need for continuation, repeal or amendment of the rule based primarily on whether circumstances or underlying assumptions have changed since the last time the rule was adopted, amended or reviewed."
Effective 9/11/2008
to 3/4/2015
Inactive
The Additional Standards For Index-Linked Crediting Feature for Deferred Non-Variable Annuities specify additional submission requirements concerning the calculation of the nonforfeiture values; applying to benefits that are built-in to deferred non-variable annuity contract forms.