AG49-B update here: Click here to view the AG49-B update
The NAIC adopted the Life Insurance Illustrations Model Regulation (#582) in 1995. The intent of this regulation was to make life insurance polices easier to compare and more transparent. At the time, benefits or crediting rate tied to indexes did not exist. This created some confusion and lack of uniform application of the rules specified when it came to indexed products.
This regulation lowered the maximum illustrated rates base on the lower of the geometric mean of the last 25 years history of the index (based on current caps and floor) OR 145% of underlying portfolio supporting the product. In additional to that the maximum spread on loan rates is 1% of the crediting rate (and has been interpreted to not include bonuses and multiplier).
Typically when a governing body tries to influence a product or industry, companies find a way to build a better mouse trap than before even with the new restrictions. That is exactly what has happened in this case. I am not so sure the new products are actually better, but they sure do illustrated better.
How a multiplier allows for a greater than 1% spread on variable or indexed loans? The multipliers have allow a larger than 1% spread on the loans due to the nature of how the rules were written. This is best explained in an example, lets say I have a product that I can illustrate at 6.5% If you run the illustration at 6.5% the loan rate is required to be a minimum of 5.5%. This product also has a 170% multiplier on the index and it has an expense charge of 3%. Here is the formula - (1 * (1-0.03))*(1+(0.065*1.7))-1= 7.72% . You are actually getting a 7.72% rate of return in the policy which means you spread is up to 2.22%!!
Although this is how the product would actually perform, it leads to a much more aggressive than expected illustration and completely gets around the intent of AG49 to begin with! If you ask me, this was an ingenious way to get around these restrictions. Unfortunately it has created even more confusion and makes it even harder to compare products "apples to apples". Really the consumer is the one who may not understand the underlying risks.
Related: How to create a life insurance illustration.
For the past 5 years since the original AG49 was introduced, most companies have been rolling out their AG49 IULs. Usually they have some type of multipliers to boost the interest credits to maximize income/loans. The NAIC has decided that it is time to revisit AG49 to (yet again) try to crack down on overly aggressive illustrations. The original intent was to try to prevent confusion - it really missed the mark. Now in order to "prevent confusion and promote easier to compare illustrations" . They have decided that products with multipliers, cap buy-ups and other enhancements that are linked to an index should not illustrate better than a product that does not have those features. They are planning to revise AG49. Here are some of the new guidelines:
The new regulation will prevent companies from illustration how the products actually work. I don't see how this is in the best interest of the consumer. Initially, products will be fairly easy to compare from an internal cost standpoint. You could run 2 illustrations at the same rate of return and be able to tell which one has more cash value in the future. However, companies will very quickly create AG49-A products. These I would predict will have much high COIs and internal costs initially, in later years the expenses will drop significantly. They will use these additional expenses to buy higher caps. This will give many companies a similar effect as "cap buy-ups". Let's see what other innovations the carriers can come up with.
Related: How does Indexed Universal Life Insurance Work?