The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has set up the timeline for the delivery of the Solvency II Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) and Guidelines.

The overall goal of the project is to deliver the regulatory and supervisory framework for the technical implementation of the Solvency II regime from the first day of application, 1 January 2016. It is of high importance to ensure a timely and proportionate application of Solvency II. 

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has established an area on its website dedicated to the stress test exercise 2014 for the insurance sector.

Attached below is the December 2013 SAI Newsletter.  The following articles are included:

• Christmas Drinks and Charity Table Quiz
• Results of CPD Survey
• Fellowship Ceremony & Maths Tutorial Intiative
• Round-up of Society CPD meetings
• Reform of Defined Benefit Legislation
• Solvency II Committee
• Interview with Conor O’Neill
• Gala Ball
• Student News

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland has today responded to the Central Bank of Ireland “Consultation on Requirements for Reserving and Pricing for Non-Life Insurers and Reinsurers” (Consultation Paper CP 73).   

The Society supports many aspects of the proposals, such as the improved governance of the reserving process for non-life direct insurance business.

The Society of Actuaries in Ireland has responded to a consultation by the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries on a proposed Actuarial Profession Standard (APS) on “The Actuary as an Expert”. 

The proposed APS is principles-based and provides a framework to be followed by members of the Institute and Faculty when acting as an expert witness or expert advisor in legal proceedings or proceedings of a legal nature (whether in the UK or elsewhere).

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published results of its Survey on Crisis Prevention, Management and Resolution Preparedness of national supervisory authorities (NSAs) with regard to the insurance sector.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, has announced a package of legislative measures to address the situation where an underfunded DB pension scheme winds up or elects to restructure.  The legislation is due to be published and enacted in the coming weeks.

EU Council, represented by the Lithuanian Presidency, and the European Parliament have on November 13 in Brussels achieved a provisional political agreement on Omnibus II directive.

 Agreement on Omnibus II enables Solvency II framework finally to become operational. Solvency II is a long-expected major overhaul of the EU insurance regulatory framework and is very important for the insurance industry, supervisors and policyholders in the EU.

The Central Bank of Ireland has published ‘Guidelines on Preparing for Solvency II’.
These guidelines reflect the EIOPA Guidelines published on 31st October 2013. The principal aim of the guidelines is to aid insurance companies in taking active steps towards implementing certain key elements of Solvency II in a consistent way.

The Central Bank guidelines cover the following areas of Solvency II: