According to the Solvency II legislative framework the ultimate forward rate shall be stable over time and shall only change as a result of changes in long-term expectations. The methodology to derive the ultimate forward rate shall be clearly specified and be determined in a transparent, prudent, reliable and objective manner that is consistent over time. Furthermore, the ultimate forward rate shall take account of expectations of the long-term real interest rate and of expected inflation.
The main objective of Solvency II is the protection of policyholders. To achieve that objective, the UFR needs to be chosen appropriately. The proposed UFR methodology strives for a balance between the stability of the UFR and the need to adjust the UFR in case of change in long-term expectations about interest rates and inflation.
EIOPA invites stakeholders and interested parties to provide feedback on the proposal for the UFR methodology and its implementation (section 2).
The consultation paper also explains the underlying rationale of EIOPA's proposal (section 3) and analyses the impact of changing the UFR on the risk-free interest rates, the time value of money and on the present value of insurance cash-flows (section 4).
The consultation period will end on 18 July 2016. Please note that comments submitted after the deadline or not submitted in the provided template cannot be processed.
EIOPA plans to decide on the outcome of the review in September 2016. The currently used UFRs will not be changed until at least the end of 2016.
The consultation paper and the template for comments can be viewed here
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