In this paper, we combine a stochastic pension fund model with a traffic light approach to solvency measurement of occupational pension funds in Switzerland. Assuming normally distributed asset returns, a closed-form solution can be derived. Despite its simplicity, we believe the model comprises...

Interest rate guarantees in unit-linked life insurance products ensure that at contract maturity, at least a minimum guaranteed amount is paid, even if the mutual fund falls below the guaranteed level. Strongly depending on the riskiness of the underlying mutual fund, these guarantees can be of...

Although catastrophe bonds are continuing to gain importance in today's risk transfer and capital markets, little is known about the decision-making processes that drive the demand for this aspiring asset class. In the article at hand, we focus on one segment of the investor community. Our...

The main reason for different insurance premiums and benefits is the use of different statistically proven risk factors in actuarial calculations for individuals. Basing its ruling on European Union Directive 2004/113/EC, the European Court of Justice on 1 March 2011 concluded that any...

Although the insurance industry is less affected than the banking industry, the credit crisis has revealed room for improvement in its risk management and supervision. Based on this observation, we formulate ten consequences for risk management and insurance regulation. Many of these reflect...

In this paper, we first discuss the characteristics and major benefits of the Swiss risk-based capital standards for insurance companies (Swiss Solvency Test), introduced in 2006. As the insurance industry is one of the largest institutional investors in Switzerland, changes to its asset and...