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Implementation of IFRS in the insurance sector Austrian Case Study. Mag. Karin Harreither, CPA REPARIS Vienna Ministerial Conference 2006, March 2006. Background Financial Supervision in Austria. 3 Pillars of Financial Supervision Prudence in technical provisions
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Implementation of IFRS in the insurance sectorAustrian Case Study Mag. Karin Harreither, CPA REPARIS Vienna Ministerial Conference 2006, March 2006
Background Financial Supervision in Austria • 3 Pillars of Financial Supervision • Prudence in technical provisions • Assets covering technical provisions • Solvency (solo and group level) Asset rules Solo Financial Accounts Supervisory Measures Solo-Level Technical Provisions Solo-Solvency Consolidated Financial Accounts Supervisory Measures Group Level Group Solvency Harreither
Accounting Framework • Legal Framework has changed • European Legal Framework • IAS-Regulation 1606/2002: covers 3 Austrian insurance companies • Austrian Legal Framework • IFRS mandatory/permitted for consolidated accounts • IFRS prohibited - solo financial statements (taxation, profit distribution etc.) • Supervisory Directives mainly unchanged Harreither
Background Supervision • Austrian Legal Framework • Companies may calculate group solvency on basis of • Consolidated accounts or • Individual accounts • Solvency Requirement may be calculated on basis of IFRS accounts • Change to IFRS New rules for group solvency required IFRS Harreither
Legal Framework for insurance companies till 2005: • In the consolidated accounts the following companies were to be fully consolidated • insurance companies • companies which are engaged in activities directly related to the insurance business or • companies performing ancillary activities • All other companies • valuation at equity • Reasoning: No mix of activities in the consolidated accounts Harreither
Legal Framework for insurance companies till 2005: • Group solvency on basis of these consolidated accounts • All companies consolidated in the accounts were to be included in the group solvency, • But: There were companies which are part of the insurance group (e.g.. participations of 20%) but were not consolidated Theses companies were to be additionally included on basis of their solo-accounts. Harreither
Legal Framework for insurance companies as of 2005: • Change of companies to be consolidated (national GAAP) • All subsidiaries (irrespective of their activity) have to be consolidated • Different activities • Group solvency • New Problem Now there are companies consolidated in the accounts which are not part of the insurance group Harreither
Legal Framework for insurance companies as of 2005: • Solution I:Separation of different activities in the balance sheet and profit and loss account • Assets and Liabilities (A / L) of companies of different sectors are shown separately • insurance sector • banking sector • other sectors with sector-specific balance sheet regulations • other sectors • Same for profit and loss account Harreither
Legal Framework for insurance companies as of 2005 • Solution II: Solvency Elements stemming from supervised companies of other sectors with solvency requirements may only be considered if their solvency requirements are also added to the group requirement • FMA: possibility for a regulation for the purpose of determining the adjusted solvency Harreither
Impact of implementing IFRS on equity in Austria Other Changes (+/-) Equity (IAS/IFRS) DAC Fair value (assets) On average + 1/3 when first implementing IFRS Equalisation and CAT Provision Requalification of equity instruments Equity (Austrian GAAP) Harreither
“IFRS Equity” Solvency Margin • Difference in the quality of equity shown in the IFRS balance sheet and shown in the balance sheet according to national GAAP • prudential filters for calculating the solvency Harreither
Possible Filters for solvency margin • Discussion points (some examples): • Deduction of equalisation provisions • Exclusion of certain balance sheet items that are not explicitly classified as intangibles but have the character of intangibles • Exclusion of the amount of DPF classified as equity • Special treatment for unrealised capital gains and losses related to financial instruments and property valuation • Exclusion of cumulative gains and losses on cash flow hedges • ……. Harreither
Other implications • Actuary for non-life • Solvency II does not wait for IFRS • IFRS gives not much guidance for valuation of technical provisions • Prudence in technical provisions is different throughout Europe • Valuation principles for technical provisions are discussed and tested for Solvency II purposes by CEIOPS Results may also be relevant for future IFRS Harreither