NY Insurance Circular Letter No. 15 (1988)
Maximum Reserve Valuation and Maximum Life Policy Nonforfeiture interest rates under Sections 4217, 4218 and 4221 of the New York Insurance Laws, as amended in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
August 19, 1988
SUBJECT: INSURANCE
WITHDRAWN
Circular Letter No. 15 (1988)
TO: ALL AUTHORIZED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES, ACCREDITED LIFE REINSURERS, FRATERNAL BENEFIT. SOCIETIES AND CHARITABLE ANNUITY SOCIETIES
ATTN: CHIEF ACTUARY OR CONSULTING ACTUARY AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SUBJECT: MAXIMUM RESERVE VALUATION AND MAXIMUM LIFE POLICY NONFORFEITURE INTEREST RATES UNDER SECTIONS 4217, 4218 AND 4221 OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE LAWS, AS AMENDED IN 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987
Attached hereto is an outline, providing maximum reserve valuation and maximum, life policy nonforfeiture interest rates for new issues, new purchases or changes in fund (as defined) for years 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987. and 1988 (and other years where shown), Under Sections 4217, 4218 and 4221 of the New York Insurance Laws, as amended in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
Should any person have any question or comment, in regard to this matter, please contact Mr. Robert J. Callahan; Chief of the Actuarial Valuation Bureau (518-474-7929) or Mr. William R. Burns (518-474-6605) or Mr. Peter L. Smith (518-474-6605).
Very truly yours,
[SIGNATURE]
James P. Corcoran
Superintendent of Insurance
MAXIMUM VALUATION AND NONFORFEITURE INTEREST RATES UNDER SECTIONS 4217, 4218 and 4221 OF THE NEW YORK INSURANCE LAWS
The maximum valuation and nonforfeiture interest rates, prescribed by Sections 4217 and 4221 of the New York Insurance Laws for future years, will vary from year to year depending on Moody's corporate bond yield averages.
The maximum valuation interest rates for issues, purchases and changes-in-fund of 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 (and other years where shown) are outlined below. The maximum valuation and nonforfeiture interest rates for Ordinary Life Insurance are shown in A on page 2, except for Single Premium Life Insurance (of the kind referred to in Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi) as amended by Chapter 302 of the laws of 1987) which are shown in B on page 3. #
A. ORDINARY LIFE INSURANCE (Except Single Premium Life Insurance covered in Bon page 3)
***Maximum
Maximum
*Issue
Reserve
Nonforfeiture
Valuation
Year
**Guarantee Duration
Interest
Interest Rate
Rate
#1980
1958
CSO
CSO
1979-81
10 Years or Less
4.50%
5.50%
More than 10 Years, up
4.50
5.50
to 20
More than 20 Years
4.50
5.50
1982
10 Years or Less
6.75%
8.50%
5.50%
More than 10 Years, up to
6.25
7.75
5.50
20
More than 20 Years
5.50
7.00
5.50
1983
10 Years
7.25%
9.00%
5.50%
or Less
More than 10 Years, up to
8.50
5.50
20
6.75
More than 20 Years
6.00
7.50
5.50
1984
10 Years or
7.25%
9.00%
5.50%
Less
More than 10 Years, up
6.75
8.50
5.50
to 20
More than 20 Years
6.00
7.50
5.50
1985
10 Years or Less
7.25%
9.00%
5.50%
More than 10 Years, up
6:75
8.50
5.50
to 20
More than 20 Years
6.00
7.50
5.50
1986
10 Years or
7.25%
9.00%
5.50%
Less
More than 10 Years,
6.75
8.50
5.50
up to 20
More than 20 Years
6.00
7.50
5.50
1987
10 Years or less
6.50%
## 8,25%
5.50%
More than 10 Years,
6.00
## 7.50
5.50
up to 20
More than 20 Years
5.50
## 7.00
5.50
1988
10 Years or less
6.00%
## 7.50%
5.50%
More than 10 years,
6.00
## 7.50
5.50
up to 20
More than 20 years
5.50
## 7.00
5.50
1989
10 Years or less
6.00%
7.50
###
More than 10 years,
6.00
7.50
###
up to 20
More than 20 years
5.50
7.00
##
*See the first paragraph under the table on page 9.
**The guaranteed duration is the maximum number of years the life
insurance can remain in force on a basis guaranteed in the policy.
***The maximum reserve valuation interest rate will be the lesser
of the rate as determined from the above table and the rate
actually used in determining cash values. This applies to
basic reserves under Section 4217, not to the minimum reserve
test under Section 4218.
# Applicable on or after the operative date elected under
Section 4221(k)(12). (See the last paragraph at the
bottom of page 9).
##In accordance with Section 4221(k)(9)(B)(i) of the
New York Insurance Laws, the nonforfeiture interest
rate used for a particular issue year may not exceed
the higher of the applicable maximum nonforfeiture
interest rate for such particular issue year and that
for the immediately preceding issue year
(e.g. 1987 issues may use the rate for 1986,
1988 issues may use the rate for 1987).
###See second paragraph from bottom of page 9. All new
business must use 1980 CSO by January 1, 1989.
B. Single Premium Life Insurance of the kind referred to in Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi) of the New York Insurance Laws (as amended by Chapter 302 of the laws of 1987).
Maximum
### Maximum
Nonforfeiture
Reserve Valuation
Interest
Rate
*Year
**Guaranteed
Interest Rate
(Issue
Duration
Year
Basis)
Issue Year
Change-In-Fund
##1980
Basis
Basis
CSO
Without
With
Without
With
A0&M
A0&M
A0&M
A0&M
***
****
***
****
1982
10 years or less
8.25%
10.00%
8.50%
10.50%
More than 10 yrs,
7.25
7.25
8.25
10.00
up to 20
More than 20 years
6.25
6.25
7.25
8.75
1983
10 years or less
7.50
8.75
8.00
9.25
More than 10 yrs,
7.00
7.00
7.50
8.75
up to 20
More than 20 years
6.25
6.25
6.75
7.75
1984
10 years or less
7.50
8.50
7.75
9.25
More than 10 yrs,
7.00
7.00
7.50
8.50
up to 20
More than 20 years
6.25
6.25
6.75
7.50
1985
10 years or less
7.50
8.50
7.75
9.00
More than 10 yrs,
7.00
7.00
7.50
8.50
up to 20
More than 20 years
6.25
6.25
6.50
7.50
1986
10 years or less
6.75
7.25
7.00
7.75
More than 10 yrs,
6.50
6.50
6.75
7.25
up to 20
More than 20 years
5.75
5.75
6.00
6.50
1987
10 years or less
6.50
6.50
6.75
6.75
9.00%
More than 10 yrs,
6.00
6.00
6.50
6.50
8.25
up to 20
More than 20 years
5.50
5.50
5.75
6.00
7.25
1988
10 years or less
6.75
7.00
7.00
7:50
8.25
More than 10 yrs,
6.25
6.25
6.75
7.00
7.50
up to 20
More than 20. years
5.75
5.75
6.00
6.25
7.00
1989
10 years or less
8.75
More than 10 yrs,
7.75
up to 20
More than 20 years
7.25
*See the first paragraph under the table on page 9.
**The guaranteed duration is the number of years for which interest
rates provided in, or declared pursuant to, a single premium life insurance
policy of the kind referred to in Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi) are guaranteed
to exceed the greater of (1) 6% and (2) the calendar year statutory valuation
interest rate for life insurance policies (other than
such single premium policy) with guarantee durations in excess of 20 years.
***Without an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum (using life
insurance formula). Additional restrictions may apply by Regulation.
****May be used only with an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum
(using annuity formula).
#Said Chapter 302 amendment will become effective, on a
mandatory basis, on January 1, 1989. Any company may file a written
notice of prior election.
##These interest rates do not apply to contracts issued after the
election of Section 4221(n-1).
###See paragraph on reserves for these special single premium life
insurance policies at bottom of page 10.
C. Single Premium Immediate Annuities and annuity benefits arising from life insurance policies and annuity and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options.
Maximum Reserve Valuation Interest Rate
Issues of or
Without Acceptable
With Acceptable
Purchases
Actuarial Opinion
Actuarial Opinion
During
and Memorandum #
and Memorandum #
(Using Life Insurance Formula)
(Using Annuity Formula)
1982
10.50%
13.25%
1983
9.50
11.25
1984
9.50
11.25
1985
9.50
11.00
1986
8.50
9.25
1987
8.00
8.00
1988
8.25
8.75
# The actuarial opinion and memorandum, referred to in C, D, E, F, G
and H herein, are as required by Section 42I7(c)(4)(B)(vi)of the New
York Insurance Laws. The above valuation interest rates, under the
heading "With Acceptable Actuarial. Opinion and Memorandum", may be
used only with an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum. Additional restrictions apply under
Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum
have not been filed.
Section 95.8(d) of Regulation 126 requires, for 1988 year-end, that
an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum be filed, with respect to
all issues of 1982 and later and all issues prior to 1982 Which have been
valued on a change in fund basis, with respect to annuities, annuity
benefits and guaranteed interest contracts. Regulation 126 specifies
the minimum reserves to be held where an acceptable
actuarial opinion and memorandum are not filed for such business.
D. Other Annuities and Guaranteed Interest Contracts, with cash settlement options and with interest rate guarantees on future considerations, valued on the "Issue Year" basis.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
Without Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Life
Insurance Formula)
*Plan Type
Issue
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
10.50%
8.50%
7.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.00
8.50
7.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.50
7.25
6.75
More than 20 years
6.75
6.00
6.00
1983
5 years or less
9.50%
8.00%
7.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.25
8.00
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
7.00
6.75
More than 20 years
6.75
5.75
5.75
1984
5 years or less9.50%
9.50%
7.75%
7.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
7.75
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
7.00
6.75
More than 20 years
6.75
5.75
5.75
1985
5 years or less
9.50%
7.75%
7.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
7.75
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
7.00
6.50
More than 20 years
6.50
5.75
5.75
1986
5 years or less
8.50%
7.00%
6.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.25
7.00
6.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.50
6.50
6.00
More than 20 years
6.00
5.50
5.50
1987
5 years or less
8.00
6.75
6.00
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
7.75
6.75
6.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.00
6.00
5.75
More than 20 years
5.75
5.25
5.25
1988
5 years or less
8.25
7.00
6.25
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.00
7.00
6.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.25
6.25
6.00
More than 20 years
6.00
5.25
5.25
# See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply
under Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for Categories
D, E, G and H on page 10.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
With Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum#
(Using Annuity
Formula)
*Plan Type
Issue
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
13.25%
10.50%
9.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.50
10.50
9.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.50
7.25
6.75
More than 20 years
6.75
6.00
6.00
1983
5 years or less
11.25%
9.25%
8.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.75
9.25
8.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
7.00
6.75
More than 20 years
6.75
5.75
5.75
1984
5 years or less9.50%
11.25%
9.25%
8.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.75
9.25
8.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
7.00
6:75
More than 20 years
6.75
5.75
5.75
1985
5 years or less
11.00%
9.00%
8.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.50
9.00
8.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
7.00
6.50
More than 20 years
6.50
5.75
5.75
1986
5 years or less
9.25%
7.75%
6.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.75
7.75
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.50
6.50
6.00
More than 20 years
6.00
5.50
5.50
1987
5 years or less
8.00
6.75
6.25
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
7.75
6.75
6.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.00
6.00
5.75
More than 20 years
5.75
5.25
5.25
1988
5 years or less
8.75
7.50
6.75
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.50
7.50
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.25
6.25
6.00
More than 20 years
6.00
5.25
5.25
# See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply
under Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for Categories
D, E, G and H on page 10.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
E. Other Annuities and Guaranteed Interest Contracts, with cash settlement options but without interest rate guarantees on future considerations, valued on the "Issue Year" basis.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
With Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Life
Insurance Formula)
*Plan Type
Issue
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
11.00%
9.00%
8.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.50
9.00
8.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
7.50
7.25
More than 20 years
7.25
6.25
6.25
1983
5 years or less
10.00%
8.25%
7.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.50
8.25
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
7.50
7.00
More than 20 years
7.00
6:25
6.25
1984
5 years or less
10.00%
8.25%
7.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.50
8.25
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
7.50
7.00
More than 20 years
7.00
6.25
6.25
1985
5 years or less
9.75%
8.25%
7.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.50
8.25
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.50
7.50
7.00
More than 20 years
7.00
6.25
6.25
1986
5 years or less
8.75%
7.50%
6.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.50
7.50
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.75
6.75
6.50
More than 20 years
6.50
5.75
5.75
1987
5 years or less
8.25
7.00
6.50
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.00
7.00
6.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.25
6.50
6.00
More than 20 years
6.00
5.50
5.50
1988
5 years or, less.
8.75
7.25
6.75
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.25
7.25
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.50
6.50
6.25
More than 20 years
6.25
5.75
5.75
# See requirements for actuarial opinion and
memorandum in footnote on page 4. Additional
restrictions apply under Regulation 126, where
an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum
have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for
Categories D, E, G and H on page 10.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
With Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Annuity
Formula)
*Plan Type
Issue
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
13.75%
11.25%
10.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
13.25
11.25
10.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
7.50
7.25
More than 20 years
7.25
6.25
6.25
1983
5 years or less
11.75%
9.75%
8.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
11.25
9.75
8.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
7.50
7.00
More than 20 years
7.00
6.25
6.25
1984
5 years or less
11.75%
9.75%
8.50%
MOre than 5 yrs, up to 10
11.25
9.75
8.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
7.50
7.00
More than 20 years
7.00
6.25
6.25
1985
5 years or less
11.50%
9.50%
8.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
11.00
9.50
8.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.50
7.50
7.00
More than 20 years
7.00
6.25
6.25
1986
5 years or less
9.50%
8.00%
7.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.25
8.00
7.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.75
6.75
6.50
More than 20 years
6.50
5.75
5.75
1987
5 years or less
8.50
7.25
6.50
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.00
7.25
6.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.25
6.50
6.00
More than 20 years
6.00
5.50
5.50
1988
5 years or, less.
9.25
7.75
7.00
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.75
7.75
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.50
6.50
6.25
More than 20 years
6.25
5.75
5.75
# See requirements for actuarial opinion and
memorandum in footnote on page 4. Additional
restrictions apply under Regulation 126, where
an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum
have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for
Categories D, E, G and H on page 10.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
F. Other Annuities and Guaranteed Interest Contracts, without cash settlement options, valued on the "Issue Year" basis.
Maximum Reserve Valuation Interest Rate
Without Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Life Insurance Formula)
*Plan Type
Issue
Year
Guarantee Duration**
A
1982
5 years or less
10.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.00
More than 20 years
7.25
1983
5 years or less
9.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
More than 20 years
6.75
1984
5 years or less
9.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
More than 20 years
6.75
1985
5 years or less
9.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
More than 20 years
6.50
1986
5 years or less
8.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.50
More than 20 years
6.00
1987
5 years or less
8.00
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
7.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.00
More than 20 years
5.75
1988
5 years or less
8.25
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.25
More than 20 years
6.00
# See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply
under Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum have not been filed.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
**The guarantee duration, for other annuities and
guaranteed interest contracts without cash settlement
options, is the number of years from the date of issue
or date of purchase to the date annuity benefits are
scheduled to commence.
Maximum Reserve Valuation Interest Rate
With Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Annuity Formula)
*Plan Type
Issue
Year
Guarantee Duration**
A
1982
5 years or less
13.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.25
More than 20 years
8.75
1983
5 years or less
11.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.75
More than 20 years
7.75
1984
5 years or less
11.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.75
More than 20 years
1985
5 years or less
11.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.50
More than 20 years
7.50
1986
5 years or less
9.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.00
More than 20 years
6.50
1987
5 years or less
8.00
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
7.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.25
More than 20 years
6.00
1988
5 years or less
8.75
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
7.75
More than 20 years
6.25
# See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply
under Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum have not been filed.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
**The guarantee duration, for other annuities and
guaranteed interest contracts without cash settlement
options, is the number of years from the date of issue
or date of purchase to the date annuity benefits are
scheduled to commence.
G. Other Annuities and Guaranteed Interest Contracts, with cash settlement. options and with interest rate guarantees on future considerations, valued on the "Change in Fund" basis.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
Without Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Life
Insurance Formula)
*Plan Type
Change
in Fund
During
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
12.00%
11.00%
8.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
11.50
11.00
8.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
10.50
10.00
7.75
More than 20 years
8.50
8.50
6.75
1983
5 years or less
10.75%
10.00%
7.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.50
10.00
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.50
9.25
7.00
More than 20 years
8.00
8.00
6.25
1984
5 years or less
10.75%
10.00%
7.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.25
10.00
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.50
9.00
7.00
More than 20 years
7.75
7.75
6.25
1985
5 years or less
10.50%
9.75%
7.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.25
9.75
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.50
9.00
7.00
More than 20 years
7.75
7.75
6.25
1986
5 years or less
9.50%
8.75%
6.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.25
8.75
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.50
8.25
6.50
More than 20 years
7.00
7.00
5.75
1987
5 years or less
9.00
8.25
6.50
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.50
8.25
6.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.00
7.75
6.00
More than 20 years
6.75
6.75
5.50
1988
5 years or less
9.25
8.75
6.75
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
8.75
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
8.00
6.25
More than 20 years
7.00
7.00
5.75
#See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply
under Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for Categories
D, E, G and H on page 10.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
With Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using
Annuity Formula)
*Plan Type
Change
in Fund
During
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
15.00%
13.75%
10.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
14.50
13.75
10.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
13.25
12.50
9.25
More than 20 years
10.50
10.50
8.00
1983
5 years or less
12.75%
11.75%
8.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.25
11.75
8.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.25
10.75
8.25
More than 20 years
9.25
9.25
7.25
1984
5 years or less
12.75%
11.75%
8.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.25
11.75
8.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.25
10.75
8.00
More than 20 years
9.25
9.25
7.00
1985
5 years or less
12.50%
11.50%
8.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.00
11.50
8.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.00
10.50
8.00
More than 20 years
9.00
9.00
7.00
1986
5 years or less
10.25%
9.50%
7.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.00
9.50
7.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.25
8.75
6.75
More than 20 years
7.75
7.75
6.00
1987
5 years or less
9.00
8.50
6.50
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
8.75
8.50
6.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.00
7.75
6.25
More than 20 years
6.75
6.75
5.50
1988
5 years or less
10.00
9.25
7.00
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.50
9.25
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
8.50
6.75
More than 20 years
7.50
7.S0
6.00
#See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply
under Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial
opinion and memorandum have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for Categories
D, E, G and H on page 10.
*See descriptions of plan types on page 10.
H. Other Annuities and guaranteed interest contracts, with cash settlement options but without interest rate guarantees on future considerations, valued on the "Change in Fund" basis.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
Without Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using Life
Insurance Formula)
*Plan Type
Change
in Fund
During
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
12.25%
11.50%
8.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.00
11.50
8.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.00
10.50
8.25
More than 20 years
9.00
9.00
7.25
1983
5 years or less
11.25%
10.50%
8.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.75
10.50
8.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
10.00
9.50
7.50
More than 20 years
8.25
8.25
6.75
1984
5 years or less
11.00%
10.25%
7.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.75
10.25
7.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
10.00
9.50
7.50
More than 20 years
8.25
8.25
6.75
1985
5 years or less
11.00%
10.25%
7.75%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.50
10.25
7.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.75
9.50
7.50
More than 20 years
8.25
8.25
6.50
1986
5 years or less
9.75%
9.25%
7.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.50
9.25
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
8.50
6.75
More than 20 years
7.50
7.50
6.00
1987
5 years or less
9.25
8.50
6.75
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
8.50
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.25
8.00
6.50
More than 20 years
7.00
7.00
5.75
1988
5 years or less
9.75
9.00
7.00
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.25
9.00
7.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.75
8.25
6.75
More than 20 years
7.25
7.25
6.00
#See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply under
Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial opinion and
memorandum have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for Categories
D, E, G and H on page 10.
Maximum Reserve
Valuation Interest
Rate
With Acceptable
Actuarial Opinion
and Memorandum #
(Using
Annuity Formula)
*Plan Type
Change
in Fund
During
Year
Guarantee Duration##
A
B
C
1982
5 years or less
15.75%
14.50%
10.50%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
15.00
14.50
10.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
13.75
13.25
10.00
More than 20 years
11.25
11.25
8.75
1983
5 years or less
13.50%
12.25%
9.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.75
12.25
9.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.75
11.25
8.75
More than 20 years
9.75
9.75
7.75
1984
5 years or less
13.25%
12.25%
9.25%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.75
12.25
9.25
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.75
11.25
8.50
More than 20 years
9.75
9.75
7.50
1985
5 years or less
13.00%
12.00%
9.00%
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
12.50
12.00
9.00
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
11.50
11.00
8.50
More than 20 years
9.50
9.50
7.50
1986
5 years or less
10.75%
10.00%
7.7
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.25
10.00
7.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.50
9.25
7.25
More than 20 years
8.00
8.00
6.50
1987
5 years or less
9.50
8.75
6.75
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
9.00
8.75
6.75
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
8.50
8.00
6.50
More than 20 years
7.25
7.25
6.00
1988
5 years or less
10.25
9.50
7.50
More than 5 yrs, up to 10
10.00
9.50
7.50
More than 10 yrs, up to 20
9.25
8.75
7.00
More than 20 years
7.75
7.75
6.25
#See requirements for actuarial opinion and memorandum
in footnote on page 4. Additional restrictions apply under
Regulation 126, where an acceptable actuarial opinion and
memorandum have not been filed.
##See definition of guarantee duration for Categories
D, E, G and H on page 10.
See descriptions of plan types on page 10. Section 4217, as amended by Chapter 749 of the Laws of 1983, permits the dynamic interest rates (under the 1982 amendments) to be used for issues of January 1, 1982 and later, irrespective of a company's election or non-election under Section 4221 (k)(12). Thus, the new dynamic interest rates may be used either with 1958 CSO issues of January 1, 1982 through December 31, 1988 or with 1980 CSO issues of January 1, 1982 and later, for valuation purposes.
Said Section 4221(k)(12) was amended by Chapter 81 of the Laws of 1983 to permit a company to elect to comply with the new provisions of Section 4221 on a plan-by-plan basis, with the proviso that the entire portfolio must be converted to the new provisions on or before January 1 of the third calendar year following the calendar year of compliance for the first plan so converted, but not, in any event, later than January 1, 1989.
Plan types, as used in the above tables, are defined as follows:
Plan Type A: The policyholder may withdraw funds only (1) with an adjustment to reflect changes in interest rates or asset values since receipt of the funds by the insurance company, or (2) without such adjustment but in installments over five years or more, or (3) as an immediate life annuity.
Plan Type B: The policyholder may not withdraw funds before the, expiration of the interest rate guarantee or, if withdrawals are permitted before the expiration of such guarantee, may withdraw funds. only (1) with an adjustment to reflect changes in interest rates or asset values since receipt of the funds by the insurance company, or (2) without such adjustment but in installments over five years or more. At the end of the interest rate guarantee, funds may be withdrawn without such adjustment in a single sum or installments over less than five years.
Plan Type C: The policy holder may withdraw funds before the expiration of the interest rate guarantee in a single sum or installments over less than five years either (1) without adjustment to reflect changes in interest rates or asset values since receipt of the funds by the insurance company, or (2) subject only to a fixed surrender charge stipulated in the contract as a percentage of the fund.
(The most popular plan type, in the group annuity area, for current issues, is plan type B; while, the most popular plan type, in the individual annuity area; for current issues, is plan type C.)
The guarantee duration, for other annuities and guaranteed interest contracts with cash settlement options, is the number of years for which the contract guarantees interest. rates in excess of the calendar year statutory valuation interest rate for life insurance policies (covered in A on page 2) with guarantee durations of more than twenty years (See D, E, G and H herein).
Other annuities and guaranteed interest contracts, without cash settlement options, may be valued only on an "Issue Year" basis.
The maximum reserve valuation interest rates,, for annuities and guaranteed interest contracts and for single premium life insurance policies of the kind referred to in Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi), are based on Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Averages for a one or three year period ending in June of the year of, issue, purchase or change in fund. Consequently, we are not able to compute rates applicable to 1989 at this time.
The attached Appendix describes the method of calculating the maximum reserve valuation interest rates, in accordance with the specifications of Section 4217 of the New York Insurance Laws, as amended.
The reserve for a Single Premium Life Insurance policy, of the kind referred to in Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi) of the New York Insurance Laws (as amended by Chapter 302 of the laws of 1987), must not be less than its cash value. The Regulation to be promulgated pursuant to such Chapter 302 may limit the applicable duration of a maximum reserve valuation interest rate specified in B on page 3.
APPENDIX
To Circular Letter Number 15 (1988)
The maximum reserve valuation interest rates are based on reference interest rates, which, are averages of corporate bond earnings published by Moody's Investors. Service, Inc., and weighting factors prescribed by Section 4217.
The weighting factors do not vary from year to year. None of the weighting factors given in Table 1 below will change unless Section 4217 is revised by new legislation. The following formulas are used to compute the maximum reserve valuation interest rates:
I = 3.00% + W(R1-3.00)% + W/2(R2-9.00)%, (Formula 1, called "Life Insurance Formula") or
I = 3.00% + W(R-3.00)%, (Formula 2, called "Annuity Formula")
Where:
I - Maximum calendar year statutory valuation interest rate, rounded to the nearer
1/4%.
R. Reference interest rate, derived from Moody's corporate bond monthly yield averages, rounded to the nearer basis point (.01 of 1%).
R1= Lesser of R and 9.00%.
R2. Greater of R and 9.00%.
W - Weighting factor.
The third term of Formula 1 is dropped whenever the reference interest rate falls below. 9.00%. The weighting factors vary by type of benefit, guarantee duration, and valuation basis (i.e. "issue year" basis or "change-in-fund" basis). An asterisk (*), where shown with the weighting factor in Table 1, indicates that Formula 2 may optionally be used with a given factor if an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum are provided, as required by Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi).
TABLE 1
Valuation
Benefit
Guarantee Duration
Basis
(Category in
(Where duration t,
Circular Letter)
in years, is).
A
= or < 10
Issue
> 10, - or < 20
Year
> 20
B
= or < 10
Issue Year
> 10, = or < 20
Issue Year
> 20
Issue Year
B
= or < 10
Change-in-Fun
> 10, = or < 20
Change-in-Fun
> 20
Change-in-Fund
C
All durations
Issue or
Purchase Year
Reference
Weighting
Benefit
Interest Rate
Factor
(Category in
(Column from
Circular Letter)
Table 2)
A
(3)
.50
.45
.35
B
(1)
.55*
(3)
.50
(3)
.40
B
(1)
.60*
(1)
.55*
(1)
.45*
C
(1)
.80*
Valuation
Reference
Benefit
Guarantee Duration
Basis
Interest Rate
(Category in
(Where duration t,
(Column from
Circular Letter)
in years, is)
Table 2)
D
= or < 5
Issue
(1)
> 5, = or < 10
Year
(1)
> 10, = or < 20
(3)
> 20
(3)
Issue
= or < 5
Year
(1)
> 5, = or < 10
(I)
> 10, = or < 20
(3)
> 20
(3)
F
= or < 5
Issue
(1)
> 5, = or < 10
Year
(1)
> 10, = or < 20
(1)
> 20
(1)
G
= or < 5
Change
(1)
> 5, = or < 10
in
(1)
> 10, = or < 20
Fund
(1)
> 20
(1)
H
= or < 5
Change
(1)
> 5, = or < 10
in
(1)
> 10, = or < 20
Fund
(1)
> 20
(1)
Weighting
Benefit
Factor
(Category in
Circular Letter)
Varies By Plan Type
A
B
C
D
.80*
.60*
.50*
.75*
.60*
.50*
.65
.50
.45
.45
.35
.35
A
B
C
.85*
.65*
.55*
.80*
.65*
.55*
.70
.55
.50
.50
.40
.40
A
F
.80*
.75*
.65*
.45*
A
B
C
G
.95*
.85*
.55*
.90*
.85*
.55*
.80*
.75*
.50*
.60*
.60*
.40*
A
B
C
H
1.00*
.90*
.60*
.95*
.90*
.60*
.85*
.80*
.55*
.65*
.65*
.45*
The reference interest rates are based on the average corporate bond earnings published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
Section 4217 defines running averages of the published monthly yield rates for 12-month and 36-month periods.
The year of issue, of purchase or of change-in-fund applicable to the running yield average ending in the current year is the next following year for Life Insurance other than single premium life insurance of the kind referred to in Section 4217(c)(4)(B)(vi,) (i.e. Category A in the Circular Letter) and the current year for all other business (i.e. Categories B through H in the Circular Letter).
The following table shows Moody's yield averages for recent years:
TABLE 2
For Period Ending June 30 of Year
12 Month Running Average
36 Month Running Average
Lesser of Two Averages
(1)
(2)
(3)
1981
13.71%
11.57%
11.57%
1982
15.70
13.64
13.64
1983
13.39
14.26
13.39
1984
13.22
14.10
13.22
1985
13.01
13.21
13.01
1986
10.75
12.33
10.75
1987
9.40
11.05
9.40
1988
10.32
10.15
10.15
The maximum nonforfeiture interest rate for Life Insurance (other than Single Premium Life Insurance covered in Category B on page 3 of the Circular Letter), for a particular issue year, is equal to 125% of the maximum reserve valuation interest rate for the same issue year, rounded to the nearer 1/4%.
The maximum nonforfeiture interest rate for Single Premium Life Insurance (covered in Category B on page 3 of the Circular Letter), for a particular issue year, is equal to 125% of the maximum reserve valuation interest rate, on an issue year basis, with an acceptable actuarial opinion and memorandum, for the next previous issue year, rounded to the nearer 1/4%,
Should the computed maximum reserve valuation interest rate for Life Insurance (other than Single Premium Life Insurance covered in Category B on page 3 of the Circular Letter) for a particular issue year be different from the actual maximum reserve valuation interest rate for the next previous issue year by less than 1/2%, the maximum reserve valuation interest rate for such particular issue year will be the same as that for such next previous issue year.