Washington § 48.74.025 - Reserves and related actuarial items — Opinion of a qualified actuary — Requirements for the opinion — Rules — Applicable before valuation manual is operative.

This section applies to actuarial opinions prior to the operative date of the valuation manual.

(1) 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 commissioner by rule are computed appropriately, are based on assumptions that satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with prior reported amounts, and comply with applicable laws of this state. The commissioner by rule 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 reserves.

(a) Every life insurance company, except as exempted by rule, shall also include in the opinion required under subsection (1) of this section an opinion 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 higher reserves that the qualified actuary may deem necessary in order to render the opinion required by this section.

(3) Each opinion required under subsection (2) of this section is governed by the following provisions:

(a) A memorandum, in form and substance acceptable to the commissioner as specified by rule, must be prepared to support each actuarial opinion.

(b) If the insurance company fails to provide a supporting memorandum at the request of the commissioner within a period specified by rule or if 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) Every opinion required under this section is governed by the following provisions:

(a) The opinion must be submitted with the annual statement reflecting the valuation of the reserve liabilities for each year ending on or after December 31, 1994.

(b) The opinion applies to all business in force, including individual and group disability insurance, in form and substance acceptable to the commissioner as specified by rule.

(c) The opinion must be based on standards adopted from time to time by the actuarial standards board and on such additional standards as the commissioner may prescribe by rule.

(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 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 rules adopted by the commissioner.

(f) Except in cases of fraud or willful misconduct, the qualified actuary is not 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) Rules adopted by the commissioner shall define disciplinary action by the commissioner against the company or the qualified actuary.

Effective date—2016 c 142: See note following RCW 48.74.010.

Severability—Implementation—1993 c 462: See RCW 48.31B.901 and 48.31B.902.