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The Closed Fund Alternative

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2011

C.J. Hairs ,
M. Arnold ,
A.J. Gustar ,
D.J.P. Hare ,
P.D. Needleman ,
P.J. Tuley  and
J.M. Webber
C.J. Hairs
Affiliation:
15 Waldegrave Road, Bickley, Bromley, Kent BRI 2JP, U.K. Tel: +44(0)181-467-0378; Fax: +44(0)181-285-0002; E-mail: ChrisHairs@aol.com
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Abstract

Closure of the fund to new business is a strategic option that is not usually considered as a part of the day-to-day running of a life assurance company. The paper explores certain circumstances in which it can be appropriate to consider it, though in the Working Party's view consideration of the closed fund alternative normally arises as a matter of course only in the context of demutualisations, and then as an indicator of the potential value of membership rights.

The topic is discussed in terms of legal, regulatory and professional aspects, and the profession is invited to consider providing more specific guidance for Appointed Actuaries whose companies are faced with demutualisation proposals. A number of practical aspects of operating a closed fund are outlined. The high-level financial considerations are illustrated by reference to a hypothetical case, and the perspectives of directors, independent and Appointed Actuaries and others are considered.

Several recent examples of demutualisations where the closed fund alternative was considered are summarised in appendices, and some examples of closed or virtually closed funds are cited.

Keywords

Closed FundClosed Fund AlternativeDemutualisationIndependent ActuaryMutualSchedule 2C
Type
Sessional meetings: papers and abstracts of discussions
Information
British Actuarial Journal , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , 01 October 1999 , pp. 699 - 761
Copyright
Copyright © Institute and Faculty of Actuaries 1999

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