As 2011 draws to a close the industry faces a world in-flux. In the US, the life and annuity industry must navigate an ever-changing path with obstacles appearing, disappearing and appearing again. The industry will need to display unwavering gumption with the only certainty being an amorphous political and economic climate.
Ernst & Young's Global insurance Center U.S. Outlook, has identified five major issues that that the industry will need to deftly handle to make it through the year unharmed.
The low-interest rate environment will most likely continue into 2013 increasing the risk of compression for existing products while concurrently suppressing efforts to increase the sale of fixed annuities and universal life insurance. There remains a distinct possibility that interest rates could jerkily rise when the Federal Reserve's Treasuries buying spree ceases. This scenario could foster disintermediation risk as policyholders shun existing products for newer ones with higher interest rates. Ernst & Young feels that understanding the interaction of asset liabilities and cash flows under a wide array scenarios will keep insurers nimble and ready to adapt.
The uncertain regulatory environment should be another concern to the life and annuity industry. While the authors of Dodd-Frank may be retired, it has passed its first anniversary with essential rules that impact insurers floating in purgatory. The Federal Insurance Office (FIO) could potentially clash with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) when it comes to European Union harmonization directive of Solvency II and its "equivalency" for US insurance regulation.
