2017 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 59A - Insurance Code
Article 8 - Assets and Liabilities
Section 59A-8-7 - Actuarial opinion of reserves.

Universal Citation: NM Stat § 59A-8-7 (2017)

59A-8-7. Actuarial opinion of reserves.

A. This section shall become operative on January 1, 1995 for calendar years 1994 and thereafter.

B. Every life insurer doing business in this state shall annually submit the opinion of a qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts specified by the superintendent by regulation are computed appropriately, are based on assumptions which satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with prior reported amounts and comply with applicable laws of this state. The superintendent by regulation shall define the specifics of this opinion and add any other items deemed to be necessary to its scope.

C. Every life insurer, except as exempted by or pursuant to regulation, shall also annually include in the opinion required by Subsection B of this section, an opinion of the same qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts specified by the superintendent by regulation, when considered in light of the assets held by the insurer with respect to the reserves and related actuarial items, including but not limited to the investment earnings on the assets and the considerations anticipated to be received and retained under the policies and contracts, make adequate provision for the insurer's obligations under the policies and contracts, including but not limited to the benefits under and expenses associated with the policies and contracts. The superintendent may provide by regulation for a transition period for establishing any higher reserves which the qualified actuary may deem necessary in order to render the opinion required by this section.

D. Every opinion required by Subsection C of this section shall be governed by the following provisions:

(1) a memorandum, in form and substance acceptable to the superintendent as specified by regulation, shall be prepared to support each actuarial opinion; and

(2) if the insurer fails to provide a supporting memorandum at the request of the superintendent [sic] determines that the supporting memorandum provided by the insurer fails to meet the standards prescribed by the regulations or is otherwise unacceptable to the superintendent, the superintendent may engage a qualified actuary at the expense of the insurer to review the opinion and the basis for the opinion and prepare such supporting memorandum as is required by the superintendent.

E. Every opinion required by this section shall be governed by the following provisions:

(1) the opinion shall be submitted with the annual statement reflecting the valuation of such reserve liabilities for each year ending on or after December 31, 1994;

(2) the opinion shall apply to all business in force, including individual and group health insurance plans in form and substance acceptable to the superintendent as specified by regulation;

(3) the opinion shall be based on standards adopted from time to time by the actuarial standards board and on such additional standards as the superintendent may by regulation prescribe;

(4) in the case of an opinion required to be submitted by a foreign or alien insurer, the superintendent may accept the opinion filed by that insurer with the insurance supervisory official of another state if the superintendent determines that the opinion reasonably meets the requirements applicable to an insurer domiciled in this state;

(5) for the purposes of this section, "qualified actuary" means a member in good standing of the American academy of actuaries who meets the requirements set forth in such regulations;

(6) except in cases of fraud or willful misconduct, the qualified actuary shall not be liable for damages to any person, other than the insurer and the superintendent, for any act, error, omission, decision or conduct with respect to the actuary's opinion;

(7) disciplinary action by the superintendent against the insurer or the qualified actuary shall be defined in regulations by the superintendent; and

(8) any memorandum in support of the opinion, and any other material provided by the insurer to the superintendent in connection therewith, shall be kept confidential by the superintendent and shall not be made public and shall not be subject to subpoena, other than for the purpose of defending an action seeking damages from any person by reason of any action required by this section or by regulations promulgated hereunder; provided, however, that the memorandum or other material may otherwise be released by the superintendent, with the written consent of the insurer, or to the American academy of actuaries upon request stating that the memorandum or other material is required for the purpose of professional disciplinary proceedings and setting forth procedures satisfactory to the superintendent for preserving the confidentiality of the memorandum or other material. Once any portion of the confidential memorandum is cited by the insurer in its marketing or is cited before any governmental agency other than a state insurance department or is released by the insurer to the news media, all portions of the confidential memorandum shall be no longer confidential.

History: 1978 Comp., 59A-8-7, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 320, 22.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.