News

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published today a potential macroprudential approach to the low interest rate environment in the Solvency II context.
The aim of this publication is to contribute to the discussion on the possible need to develop a macroprudential framework in the insurance sector to promote financial stability in a Solvency II environment.
 
The following three objectives to be targeted by supervisory authorities in the current low interest rate environment are addressed:

The Central Bank of Ireland has published a feedback statement on Consultation Paper 92 Domestic Actuarial Regime and related Governance Requirements under Solvency II.

The consultation period closed on 29 May 2015.

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has issued the second set of its Solvency II Guidelines in the official languages of the European Union.

The Guidelines cover different areas from all the three Solvency II pillars (quantitative requirements; governance requirements; reporting and disclosure).

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published a Good Practices Report on transferability of supplementary pension rights. With this Report, EIOPA identifies the main impediments to cross-border and national transfers as well as a number of good practices to overcome these. This would create more transparency in the interest of consumers and facilitate the internal market for supplementary pension rights.

EIOPA outlines three key areas which – if addressed – could significantly facilitate the transferability of supplementary pension rights:

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published a Note entitled “Need for high quality public disclosure: Solvency II’s report on solvency and financial condition and the potential role of external audit”. The purpose of this Note is to stress the importance of high quality public information and the relevant use of external audit services in relation to Solvency II public disclosures.

EIOPA has published the second set of draft Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) and Guidelines for Solvency II. The set covers different areas from all three Solvency II pillars (quantitative basis; qualitative requirements; reporting and disclosure).  The ITS and Guidelines were finalised following the public consultation earlier this year, during which EIOPA received over 4500 comments.

With this publication EIOPA takes a further step towards ensuring the timely implementation of Solvency II.

The International Actuarial Association (IAA) is pleased to announce the publication of the paper “Deriving Value from ORSA - Board Perspective” developed by the Joint ORSA Subcommittee of the IAA’s Insurance Regulation and Enterprise and Financial Risk Committees.

The Society has decided to commission an analysis of the financial sustainability of the State Pension in Ireland.  In particular, the research will focus on the key levers (and associated parameters) that could be flexed when considering the sustainability of the State Pension. 

Pensions Council

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland welcomes the Tánaiste’s announcement of the membership of the Pensions Council. 

The Council’s function is to advise the Minister for Social Protection on matters of pensions policy.  Including Brendan Kennedy, Chief Executive of the Pensions Authority, the twelve-person Council includes five of the Society’s Fellow members – the others being Roma Burke, Tony Gilhawley, Sandra Rockett and Dr Shane Whelan – each of whom has a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to offer.