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ABA SECTION OF TAXATION, MAY MEETING 2014. REINSURANCE OF DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WITH CAPTIVE INSURERS. Carol A. Weiser Partner Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Washington, DC. P. Bruce Wright Partner Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP New York, NY. 23873317.1.
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ABA SECTION OF TAXATION, MAY MEETING 2014 REINSURANCE OF DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WITH CAPTIVE INSURERS Carol A. Weiser Partner Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Washington, DC P. Bruce Wright Partner Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP New York, NY 23873317.1
ISSUES - DOMESTIC • BACKGROUND • FEDERAL INCOME TAX • STATE REGULATORY ISSUES RELATING TO PLACEMENT • ERISA ISSUES • REGULATORY ISSUES RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURER • EXPEDITED EXEMPTION PROCEDURE • MEDICAL PROGRAMS • FOREIGN STRUCTURES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX - DOMESTIC • UTILIZATION OF UNRELATED BUSINESS • PARENTAL RISK • CORPORATE STRUCTURE • OTHER FACTORS • REV. RUL. 2002-89, 2002-2 C.B. 984. • REV. RUL. 2002-90, 2002-2 C.B. 985. • REV. RUL. 2002-91, 2002-2 C.B. 991. • ESTABLISH SAFE HARBORS FOR TAX DEDUCTIONS • RAISES QUESTION AS TO WHETHER UNRELATED BUSINESS MUST BE HOMOGENEOUS WITH RELATED RISK
P PREMIUM FOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 100% I FEDERAL INCOME TAX - DOMESTIC • REV. RUL. 92-93
INSURANCE LAW STATE REGULATORY ISSUES RELATING TO PLACEMENT - DOMESTIC • DIRECT WRITING PER REV. RUL. 92-93 • UNLICENSED PLACEMENTS • DIRECT PLACEMENT STATUTES • INDUSTRIAL INSURED STATUTES • REINSURED PROGRAM • LICENSED PLACEMENT • EXISTING PROGRAM • ADMINISTRATION
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PLAN • WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN • PARTY IN INTEREST • EMPLOYER • 50% OR MORE OWNED COMPANY BY VOTE OR VALUE • PROHIBITED TRANSACTION, ERISA § 406 • DIRECT OR INDIRECT FURNISHING OF SERVICES BETWEEN A PLAN AND PARTY IN INTEREST • VOLUNTARY PLAN • VOLUNTARY PROGRAM/NO PLAN • PERMIT INSURER TO PUBLICIZE • COLLECT PREMIUM VIA PAYROLL DEDUCTION • REMIT PREMIUM • NO CONSIDERATION
ASHLAND OIL, INC. 100% INTEGON LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ERISA - DOMESTIC • VOLUNTARY PLAN • DOL ADVISORY OPINION 83-3A(JANUARY 17, 1983) • NOT A PLAN
X CO. VOLUNTARY PROGRAM INDEP. 100% REINSURANCE X. INS. CO. ERISA - DOMESTIC • VOLUNTARY PLAN • DOL ADVISORY OPINION 83-28A (JUNE 9, 1983) • VOLUNTARY PROGRAM A PLAN • EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PROHIBITED TRANSACTION • ADVISORY OPINION • CLASS EXEMPTION • PRIVATE EXEMPTION
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PTE 79-41 • PARTY IN INTEREST • LICENSED TO SELL INSURANCE IN ONE OF THE STATES* OR D.C. • CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE OBTAINED FROM DOMICILIARY STATE AT EARLIER OF 18 MONTHS PRIOR TO TRANSACTION OR WHEN CERTIFICATES WERE LAST AVAILABLE • NO MORE THAN ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION PAID BY PLAN • NO SALES COMMISSIONS • HAS UNDERGONE A STATE EXAM WITHIN 5 YEARS OF THE TRANSACTION OR EXAMINED BY A CPA IN ITS LAST YEAR • PERCENTAGE OF PREMIUMS TEST
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PTE 79-41, COMMENTARY AN INTENT BY A PLAN TO PURCHASE A CONTRACT FROM AN UNRELATED INSURER WITH AN UNDERSTANDING IT WILL REINSURE WITH AN ENTITY THAT IS A PARTY IN INTEREST “WOULD BE A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION.” • THUS REINSURANCE NOT COVERED • PRIVATE EXEMPTION
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH MORE THAN 50% THIRD-PARTY BUSINESS • PTE 96-95 (ZIONS) ZIONS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (ARIZONA) ZIONS BANCORPORATION AND AFFILIATES AMERICAN BANKERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH MORE THAN 50% THIRD-PARTY BUSINESS • PTE 96-95 (ZIONS) • PARTY IN INTEREST • LICENSED TO SELL INSURANCE IN ONE STATE • CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY FROM DOMICILIARY STATE • EXAMINATION BY INDEPENDENT CPA FOR TAX YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRIOR • FINANCIAL EXAM WITHIN LAST 5 YEARS BY ARIZONA • NO MORE THAN ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION • UNRELATED LIFE AND HEALTH PREMIUM > 50% • ALL PREMIUM • EXISTING BUSINESS • NOTE: AUGMENTATION OF BENEFITS ISSUE
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH MORE THAN 50% THIRD-PARTY BUSINESS • PTE 96-49 (FIRST SECURITY) • PTE (UNION CARBIDE) • SUBARU OF AMERICA (PTE 10-15) • VERIZON (PTE 11-12) • ADM (2013) • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH LESS THAN 50% UNRELATED BUSINESS • HISTORY • BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES (PTE 84-6) • CSX • CALDOR
ERISA - ERISA • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH LESS THAN 50% UNRELATED BUSINESS • PTE 2000-48 (COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP) COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. (BERMUDA) COLUMBIAENERGY GROUP EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU LICENSE/ BRANCH INVERMONT
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH LESS THAN 50% UNRELATED BUSINESS • PTE 2000-48 (COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP) • REQUIREMENTS • CICL IS A PARTY IN INTEREST • CICL IS LICENSED TO SELL INSURANCE IN AT LEAST ONE STATE • CICL HAS A LICENSE FROM ITS DOMICILIARY STATE (BERMUDA) • CICL HAS BEEN AUDITED BY A CPA FOR ITS LAST COMPLETED YEAR; OR HAS UNDERGONE AN EXAM BY VERMONT WITHIN 5 YEARS • CICL IS LICENSED BY A STATE (VT) WHICH REQUIRES ANNUAL REVIEW OF RESERVES BY ACTUARIES
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH LESS THAN 50% UNRELATED BUSINESS • PTE 2000-48 (COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP) • REQUIREMENTS • PLAN PAYS NO MORE THAN ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION • NO COMMISSIONS PAID WITH RESPECT TO THE DIRECT SALE OF THE CONTRACT OR REINSURANCE THEREOF • IN THE INITIAL YEAR OF CICL, REINSURANCE A BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS • FORMULA TO CALCULATE PREMIUM BY INSURER SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHERS USE • PREMIUM REASONABLE/COMPARABLE TO PREMIUM CHARGED BY INSURER AND COMPETITORS WITH THE SAME OR A BETTER RATING FOR THE SAME COVERAGE UNDER COMPARABLE PROGRAMS
ERISA - DOMESTIC • PRIVATE EXEMPTIONS WITH LESS THAN 50% UNRELATED BUSINESS • PTE 2000-48 (COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP) • REQUIREMENTS • INDEMNITY REINSURANCE • INSURERS WITH A BEST’S RATING OF A • INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY TO ANALYZE TRANSACTION TO DETERMINE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS AT COLUMBIA’S EXPENSE • NOTE APPLICATION • AUGMENTATION APPLICABILITY • UNIONS
ERISA - DOMESTIC 08-17E (DPWNHOLDING) 08-18E (UT)08-22E (SLOAN KETT)09-1E (ADM)09-10E (BANNER) 09-14E (YKK)09-16E (MICROSOFT) 09-17E (DOW)10-11 (COCA-COLA)10-15 (SUBARU OF AMER) 11-12 (VERIZON) 12-03 (R+L CARRIERS) 2012 (VIA CHRISTI) 13-06 (COKE)* 2013 (ADM)*14-03 (INTEL) • PTE 2000-48 (COLUMBIA ENERGY) 03-07 (ADM)03-32E (IP)04-12 (SCA)04-17E (ALCON)W/DRAWN (WHIRLPOOL)05-2E (ALCOA)05-22E (SUN MICROSYSTEMS)06-01E (ASTRA ZENECA)06-11E (AGL)06-4E (HEINZ)07-01E (WELLS FARGO)07-02E (WELLS FARGO) 07-04E (NISOURCE) 08-04E (CEPHALON)08-05E (HEINZ) 08-08E (CONAGRA) 08-16E (ASTRA ZENECA)
ISSUES RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURER - DOMESTIC • DOMESTIC INSURER • NON U.S. INSURER • ELECTION UNDER U.S. IRC § 953(d) • FORMATION OF U.S. BRANCH (VERMONT REQUIREMENTS)
EXPEDITED EXEMPTION PROCEDURE - DOMESTIC • PTE 96-62 (EXPEDITED EXEMPTION PROCEDURE) • REQUIREMENTS • DECLARATION OF COMPLIANCE UNDER PTE 96-62 • STATEMENT THAT THERE IS LITTLE RISK TO THE PLAN • COMPARISON TO (A) TWO SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR PTES GRANTED WITHIN PAST 5 YEARS OR (B) ONE GRANTED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS AND ONE UNDER EX PRO IN THE PAST 5 YEARS • DRAFT NOTICE DESCRIBING THE TRANSACTION AND ABILITY OF PERSONS TO COMMENT TO DOL AND HOW IT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED • DESCRIBE INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY (INDEPENDENCE, STATEMENT OF WHY PROPOSAL IS IN INTEREST OF PLAN AND PROTECTIVE OF PARTICIPANTS)
EXPEDITED EXEMPTION PROCEDURE - DOMESTIC • PTE 96-62 • REQUIREMENTS • ONCE SUBMISSION IS MADE, A TENTATIVE AUTHORIZATION (UNLESS ADVERSE NOTIFICATION) IS MADE 45 DAYS AFTER SUBMISSION • NOTICE DISTRIBUTED TO INTERESTED PARTIES • COMMENT PERIOD ENDS 25 DAYS AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF NOTICE • IF 5 DAYS AFTER COMMENT PERIOD ENDS THERE IS (A) NO ADVERSE NOTIFICATION; AND (B) NO SUBSTANTIVE ADVERSE COMMENTS, TO WHICH RESPONSE MUST BE MADE, THE AUTHORIZATION IS FINAL
EXPEDITED EXEMPTION PROCEDURE - DOMESTIC • PTE 96-62 • DOL HAS SUSPENDED THE PROCEDURE WITH REGARD TO EXEMPTION REQUESTS REQUIRING AUGMENTATION OF BENEFITS • NOTE: EXEMPTION REQUESTS WITH RESPECT TO CAPTIVES WITH MORE THAN 50% UNRELATED BUSINESS
INTERNATIONAL - POOLING • MULTINATIONAL POOLING • PRIMARILY LIFE, ACCIDENT AND DISABILITY • CAN INCLUDE MEDICAL AND PENSION • MULTINATIONAL POOLING – POOL RISKS ACROSS COUNTRIES/REGIONS TO ACHIEVE: • RISK SMOOTHING • ECONOMIES OF SCALE – IMPROVE COSTS AND TERMS • GREATER TRANSPARENCY • ENHANCED ACCESS • DIVIDEND
INTERNATIONAL - POOLING • NETWORKS TOTAL NO. OF COUNTIES* • ALLIZANZ GLOBAL BENEFITS 84 • GENERALI 126 • IGP 67 • ING 109 • ISUROPE 84 • MAXIS 110 • SWISS LIFE 66 • ZURICH 111 * Towers Watson 2014 Multinational Pooling Matrix, providing information current as of late 2013. The matrix represents only those insurers able to issue locally admitted/authorized contracts in each country.
INTERNATIONAL - POOLING • VARIATIONS • 100% STOP LOSS • PARTIAL STOP LOSS • LOSS CARRY FORWARD 3 – 5 YEARS • INDEFINITE LOSS CARRYFORWARD
INTERNATIONAL - CAPTIVE Local Operations Local Insurers Network Pool Captive
INTERNATIONAL - CAPTIVE INTERNATIONAL - CAPTIVE Local Operations Local Insurers Captive 28
INTERNATIONAL - CAPTIVE • RATIONALE CITED BY EMPLOYERS* • Reduce Cost • Centralize risk management • Better coverage • Control volatility in captive’s book • Third-party business * Presentation by ADM at CICA 2014 International Conference