APRA consults further on the role of the Appointed Actuary and actuarial advice to insurers

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released a consultation package on the role of the Appointed Actuary within general, life and private health insurers.

This follows a discussion paper released in June 2016 in which APRA proposed a set of changes to the role of the Appointed Actuary and actuarial advice within insurers.¹ The consultation package released today responds to the submissions on the June 2016 discussion paper, which were broadly supportive of APRA’s proposed approach.

Today’s package also proposes replacing three industry-specific actuarial prudential standards with a streamlined, cross-industry standard (CPS 320) and an accompanying prudential practice guide.

APRA Member Geoff Summerhayes said that APRA values the Appointed Actuary role and the important part it plays in protecting policyholder interests, but that the effectiveness of the role had been diminished in parts of the industry. 

‘These proposals are a significant step forward in putting the role on a sustainable footing and ensuring that Appointed Actuaries are able to make their important prudential contribution.  There is more that can and should be done by insurers and the actuarial profession to fully address the underlying causes of the issues observed by APRA,’ Mr Summerhayes said.

‘The proposals simplify the prudential framework and give insurers more flexibility to determine how and by whom actuarial advice is provided.’ 

APRA invites written submissions on the proposals in today’s discussion paper by Friday 15 December 2017. The consultation package can be found at: Role of the Appointed Actuary.

APRA particularly welcomes feedback on the proposals as they apply to the private health insurance industry.