From Reserve to Resource: The Potential of Negative IMR for Strengthening Life Insurer Portfolios

December 05, 2024


By John Rup, Vice President, Insurance Solutions 

While the elevated interest rate environment offers insurers more appealing yields, it poses challenges related to the existing investment portfolio that could negatively affect balance-sheet strength. Statutory accounting rule changes released in August 2023 helped address concerns related to the interest maintenance reserve (IMR) that were hindering insurers from taking advantage of higher yields. The new rules may offer insurers opportunities – through the end of 2025 - to revisit investment strategies and build greater long-term value.

IMR is a 30-year-old accounting standard that helps smooth insurers’ annual income from realized gains/losses amid changing market conditions. IMR balances grew as rates fell, but as rates rose starting in 2022, insurers began experiencing losses from selling lower book-yield bonds. This led to declines in IMR balances and some even went negative (see Figure 1). Statutory accounting rules prior to the August 2023 rule change treated negative IMR balances as a non-admitted asset, meaning surplus would receive the full (negative) impact immediately from losses, while gains would result in an increase over time.  

 


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