News

Issue four of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Longevity Bulletin explores the data that evidences that we are all living longer but questions how healthy we are during those extra years.

From Philip Scott, President of the Institute and Faculty:

"In the past longer life was generally driven by better health. However data collected over the last twenty years highlights that life expectancy and healthy life expectancy are not one and the same.

The Groupe Consultatif Actuariel Européen has published a paper on Market Consistency.  The paper summarises the key principles underlying market consistent valuations of assets and liabilities.  Its underlying aim is to help actuaries and others best interpret the concept of market consistency in contexts where several possible valuation approaches are or might be proposed.

On 16 May 2012, the European Commission published a proposed directive of the European Parliament and the Council in order to amend the deadline for the transposition and subsequent implementation of the Solvency II Framework Directive (Directive 2009/138/EC).
 
The proposed Directive says:

The plenary vote on Omnibus II in the European Parliament has been rescheduled from 17 April 2012 to 2 July 2012.  Read Central Bank of Ireland update. 

In April 2011, the European Commission asked EIOPA  for advice on the EU-wide legislative framework for IORPs (Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision).

The Groupe Consultatif's first European Congress of Actuaries - ECA 2012 - will take place in Brussels on 7/8 June 2012. The theme is The Future European Actuary. This Congress aims to attract actuaries working in industry, consulting and academia, as well as other financial professionals, politicians and others interested in the future of risk management in Europe. The programme will include speakers from the European Parliament and Commission, supervisory authorities, rating agencies, and other fields.

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland has published a position paper on “Taxation of Private Pension Provision”. 

The primary purpose of the paper is to examine the effect of reducing the tax relief on pension contributions made by individuals.

Individuals currently receive tax relief at their marginal income tax rate on pension contributions.  The National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 proposes to change the tax relief from the individual’s marginal tax rate to the standard tax rate of 20% by 2014.