Analyzing the effect of low interest rates on the surplus participation of life insurance policies with different annual interest rate guarantees

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Hieber ◽  
Ralf Korn ◽  
Matthias Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Insurance Policies ◽  
Low Interest Rates

scholarly journals Dealing with Low Interest Rates in Life Insurance: An Analysis of Additional Reserves in the German Life Insurance Industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Eckert
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Life Insurers ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Life Insurer ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
German Life

Interest rates have been very low for several years, which is particularly challenging for life insurers. Since 2001, German life insurers have had to set an additional reserve due to low interest rates to ensure the protection of policyholders. However, the method introduced at that time to calculate these reserves was criticized, therefore, the German Federal Ministry of Finance replaced it with a new approach. In this article, we investigated the effects of the different methods on a typical German life insurer in various future interest rate scenarios and from various perspectives. For this purpose, we modelled such a life insurer holistically, considered its asset liability management and projected its future development in different interest rate scenarios using simulation techniques. Taking into account dependencies between assets, liabilities and interest rates, we analyzed and discussed our results from the life insurer’s, equity holders’, policyholders’ and regulators’ perspectives. The results show that the new method eliminated the weaknesses of the previous one and seems to be a suitable alternative to determine the additional reserve.

Auswirkungen der anhaltenden Niedrigzinsen auf das Versicherungswesen

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Life Insurers ◽  
Life Insurance Industry ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
Rate Environment ◽  
German Life

AbstractHelmut Gründl discusses in his paper the effects of the present low interest rate environment on the German life insurance industry. By referring to a recent study of the “International Center for Insurance Regulation”, he assesses insolvency probabilities for life insurers with different capital endowments under different interest rate scenarios. Based on that, he discusses measures of insurance regulation that try to cope with the imminent problems of the life insurance industry. Finally, he has a look at product developments and investment strategies of life insurers in the presence of low interest rates. Hereby, he argues, that life insurance products with lower investment guarantees that are granted for a shorter period of time are regarded as the best remedy to avoid low interest rate problems in the future. Such product development also allows for a more risky investment policy of life insurers that can make life and annuity products more attractive.Rolf Ketzler und Peter Schwark explicate that the very accommodative monetary policy of the ECB and the related extremely low interest rates are involved with major challenges for the German insurance sector, in particular for life insurers. As long-term investors, insurers are not only affected in their capital investment strategy, but also by different households’ retirement saving patterns in response to the low interest rate environment. Several significant steps have already been taken in order to ensure the long-term viability of life insurance. These include changes in the product portfolio as well as new approaches in the investment strategy. In addition, new regulatory requirements have been established to strengthen the risk bearing capacity of life insurers. Given the substantial risks of low interest rates, from an economic point of view the question concerning an appropriate exit from the low interest rate environment needs more attention in the public debate. They argue that in this context, further progress regarding the economic reform policies in the euro zone is still necessary as a condition for the ECB to normalize its monetary policy as soon as possible.Focusing the perspective of German life insurance industry, the article of Heinrich Schradin starts with a brief description and discussion of the financial impact of the persistently low interest rate environment. Based on an empirical data set of German life insurers, the author illustrates actual limitations to generate sufficient investment income for to meet the given specific financial guarantees. Moreover, the core problem, caused by the use of volatile timing-related interest rates for to evaluate long-term cash flows, becomes obvious. The currently observed regulatory interventions are trying to overcome the existential consequences of the so-called fair value measurement. In consequence, the author derives four central theses:1. Life insurance in Germany suffers from insufficient capital adequacy.2. Persistent low interest rates threaten the fulfillment of financial guaranty commitments of German life insurers.3. The generally accepted principals of economic evaluation do not satisfy to the traditional business model of German life insurers.4. Under a business perspective, the development of new life insurance products is inevitable.

Auswirkungen der anhaltenden Niedrigzinsen auf das Versicherungswesen

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Gründl
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Insurance Regulation ◽  
Life Insurers ◽  
Life Insurance Industry ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
Rate Environment

AbstractThis paper discusses the effects of the present low interest rate environment on the German life insurance industry. By referring to a recent study of the “International Center for Insurance Regulation”, we assess insolvency probabilities for life insurers with different capital endowments under different interest rate scenarios. Based on that, we discuss measures of insurance regulation that try to cope with the imminent problems of the life insurance industry. Finally, we have a look at product developments and investment strategies of life insurers in the presence of low interest rates. Hereby, life insurance products with lower investment guarantees that are granted for a shorter period of time are regarded as the best remedy to avoid low interest rate problems in the future. Such product development also allows for a more risky investment policy of life insurers that can make life and annuity products more attractive.

Low interest rate environment: inventory management in Finland and Baltic states

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olli-Pekka Hilmola ◽  
Weidong Li ◽  
Andres Tolli
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Recent Decade ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
Rate Environment

PurposeFor decades, it was emphasized that manufacturing and trading companies should aim to be lean with very small inventories. However, in the recent decade, time-significant change has taken place as nearly all of the “old west” countries have now low interest rates. Holding inventories have been beneficial for the sake of customer service and for achieving savings in transportation and fixed ordering costs.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, inventory management change is examined in publicly traded manufacturing and trade companies of Finland and three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) during the years 2010–2018.FindingsInventory efficiency has been leveled off or falling in these countries and mostly declining development has concerned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is also found that inventory efficiency is in general lower in SMEs than in larger companies. Two companies sustaining in inventory efficiency are used as an example that lean has still significance, and higher inventories as well as lower inventory efficiency should not be the objective. Two companies show exemplary financial performance as well as shareholder value creation.Research limitations/implicationsWork concerns only four smaller countries, and this limits its generalization power. Research is one illustration what happens to private sector companies under low interest rate policies.Practical implicationsContinuous improvement of inventory efficiency becomes questionable in the light of current research and the low interest rate environment.Originality/valueThis is one of the seminal studies from inventory efficiency as the global financial crisis taken place in 2008–2009 and there is the implementation of low interest rates.

Auswirkungen der anhaltenden Niedrigzinsen auf das Versicherungswesen

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinrich R. Schradin
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Capital Adequacy ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Life Insurers ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
German Life

AbstractFocusing the perspective of German life insurance industry, this article starts with a brief description and discussion of the financial impact of the persistently low interest rate environment. Based on an empirical data set of German life insurers, the author illustrates actual limitations to generate sufficient investment income for to meet the given specific financial guarantees. Moreover, the core problem, caused by the use of volatile timingrelated interest rates for to evaluate long-term cash flows, becomes obvious. The currently observed regulatory interventions are trying to overcome the existential consequences of the so-called fair value measurement. In consequence, the author derives four central theses:1. Life insurance in Germany suffers from insufficient capital adequacy.2. Persistent low interest rates threaten the fulfillment of financial guaranty commitments of German life insurers.3. The generally accepted principals of economic evaluation do not satisfy to the traditional business model of German life insurers.4. Under a business perspective, the development of new life insurance products is inevitable.

2016 Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust - Review of Interest Rate Structure

Policy Papers ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 (50) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Credit Facility ◽  
Rate Structure ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
The Interest Rate ◽  
Rate Mechanism

This paper reviews the interest rate structure that would apply to the PRGT in 2017–18. Based on the interest rate setting mechanism agreed in 2009, the interest rate for the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) would be zero and the rate for the Standby Credit Facility (SCF) would be 0.25 percent. The interest rate for the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) was set permanently at zero in July 2015. Since the current mechanism was agreed, the Executive Board has granted successive exceptional interest waivers on all outstanding Fund concessional credit, setting all interest rates charged at zero percent. These waivers have been extended three times, providing interest rate relief to many low-income countries at a time when they faced considerable headwinds from the global economic environment. A strong case remains for maintaining zero rates on Fund concessional credit at the current global economic juncture. The global outlook for LICs has not significantly improved since the last review and downside risks remain significant. At the same time, many Directors noted at the last review in 2014 that the possibility of a prolonged period of very low interest rates warrants an early re-examination of the mechanism, including an exit strategy from repeated application of the waiver, with the objective of safeguarding the self-sustaining capacity of the PRGT. The paper seeks to respond to this call. It proposes that the PRGT interest rate mechanism be amended to accommodate anomalies created by a prolonged period of very low interest rates. Specifically, a new threshold is proposed whereby both the ECF and the SCF rate would be set at zero when the 12-month average SDR rate is less than or equal to 0.75 percent. This proposal will likely keep all PRGT interest rates under the mechanism at zero through at least 2020 given current market expectations while incurring only minimal subsidy costs and eliminating the need for continual waivers. In addition, staff proposes to waive interest rate charges on outstanding legacy balances under the Exogenous Shocks Facility (ESF), which are not determined via the interest rate mechanism, until the next review.

scholarly journals Issues of risk margin computation under Solvency II regulatory regime

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-40
Author(s):  
Jelena Kočović ◽  
Marija Koprivica
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Solvency Ii ◽  
Capital Cost ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Risk Margin ◽  
Low Interest Rates

The paper deals with the issues of risk margin computation as an element of technical provisions of Insurers under the Solvency II regulatory regime. Due to a lack of regulatory method for the capital cost, in combination with the low interest rates, the risk margin is set too high and variable, which primarily affects life insurance companies. The paper includes particular proposals for overcoming or mitigating the problem of too high and rate-sensitive risk margin. The proposed solutions include both modifications to the existing capital cost method and abandonment and the replacement of this method by other risk margin computation methods.

scholarly journals An Overlooked Scenario of "Reswitching" in the Austrian Structure of Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-532
Author(s):  
Er'el Granot
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
Nonmonotonic Dependence ◽  
Average Production ◽  
Low Interest Rates ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Interest Rate ◽  
Production Period ◽  
Structure Of Production

Since Samuelson’s (1966) reswitching example in the 1960s, it became clear that the Average Production Period (APP) is not necessarily a decreasing function of the interest rate. Recently, Fillieule (2007) and Hülsmann (2010) have shown that Samuelson’s example is not a mere curiosity. They showed that in a reasonable production structure model, the length of production increases with the interest rate instead of decreasing. However, their model did not present “reswitching” behavior. In this paper a generic model of the structure of production, in which both Fillieule’s and Hülsmann’s models are specific cases, is presented. It shows that the APP has a nonmonotonic dependence on the interest rate, which resembles a “reswitching” behavior: it increases for low-interest rates up to a maximum value, and then decreases back to almost the initial value. The decrease occurs within a relatively narrow range of interest rates, which may explain why it was missed in the literature.

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