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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/23/2024

Chapter 70. Rules Governing Accelerated Benefits Provisions

14VAC5-70-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter (14VAC5-70) is to regulate accelerated benefit provisions of individual and group life insurance policies and riders to such policies and to provide required standards of disclosure. This chapter shall apply to all accelerated benefits provisions of individual and group life insurance policies and riders to such policies, except those subject to Rules Governing Long-Term Care Insurance (14VAC5-200), issued or delivered in this Commonwealth, on or after July 1, 2002.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 2, eff. June 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2002.

14VAC5-70-20. Compliance with the chapter.

A. Any policy or rider complying with this chapter and other regulatory requirements may be sold, solicited or negotiated in this Commonwealth, or in the case of group life insurance policies or riders, re-issued or renewed in this Commonwealth with accelerated benefit provisions as set forth in this chapter.

B. No policy or rider shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth on or after July 1, 2002, unless it complies with this chapter.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 3, eff. June 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2002.

14VAC5-70-30. Applicability and scope.

Except as otherwise specifically provided, this chapter shall apply to accelerated benefit provisions in individual and group life insurance policies or riders to such policies delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth, on or after July 1, 2002, by insurers, fraternal benefit societies, cooperative nonprofit life benefit companies or mutual assessment life, accident and sickness insurers, and to renewals or reissues of group life insurance policies or riders occurring on or after July 1, 2002.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 4, eff. June 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2002.

14VAC5-70-40. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter:

"Accelerated benefits" means benefits payable under a life insurance contract;

1. To a policyholder or certificateholder, during the lifetime of the insured, in anticipation of death or upon the occurrence of specified life-threatening or catastrophic conditions as defined by the policy or rider; and

2. Which reduce the death benefit otherwise payable under the life insurance contract; and

3. Which are payable upon the occurrence of a single qualifying event which results in the payment of a benefit amount fixed at the time of acceleration.

"Commission" means the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

"Qualifying event" means one or more of the following:

1. A medical condition which would result in a drastically limited life span as specified in the contract, for example, 24 months or less;

2. A medical condition which has required or requires extraordinary medical intervention, such as, but not limited to, major organ transplant or continuous artificial life support, without which the insured would die;

3. Any condition which usually requires continuous confinement in an eligible institution as defined in the contract if the insured is expected to remain there for the rest of his life;

4. A medical condition which would, in the absence of extensive or extraordinary medical treatment, result in a drastically limited life span. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

a. Coronary artery disease resulting in an acute infarction or requiring surgery;

b. Permanent neurological deficit resulting from cerebral vascular accident;

c. End stage renal failure;

d. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; or

e. Other medical conditions which the commission shall approve for any particular filing;

5. A condition where a qualified health care provider or court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the insured is no longer able to perform at least two of the following activities of daily living:

a. Bathing;

b. Dressing;

c. Continence;

d. Eating;

e. Toileting; or

f. Transferring;

6. A condition for which a qualified health care provider or court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the insured requires direct supervision by another person during the majority of each day to protect the health and safety of the insured or any other person; or

7. Other qualifying events which the commission shall approve for any particular filing.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 5, eff. June 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2002.

14VAC5-70-50. Type of product.

Accelerated benefit riders and life insurance policies with accelerated benefit provisions are primarily mortality risks rather than morbidity risks. They are life insurance benefits subject to Chapter 31 (§ 38.2-3100 et seq.), Chapter 32 (§ 38.2-3200 et seq.), and Chapter 33 (§ 38.2-3300 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 6, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-60. Assignee/beneficiary.

Prior to the payment of the accelerated benefit, the insurer is required to obtain from any assignee or irrevocable beneficiary a signed acknowledgement of concurrence for payout. If the insurer making the accelerated benefit is itself the assignee under the policy, no such acknowledgement is required.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 7, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-70. Criteria for payment; lump sum settlement option; restrictions on use of proceeds; accidental death benefit provision.

A. Contract payment options shall include the option to take the benefit as a lump sum. The benefit shall not be made available as an annuity contingent upon the life of the insured.

B. No restrictions are permitted on the use of the proceeds.

C. If any death benefit remains after payment of an accelerated benefit, the accidental death provision, if any, in the policy or rider shall not be affected by the payment of the accelerated benefit.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 8, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-80. Required disclosure provision; descriptive title; tax consequences; solicitations and disclosures; effect of benefit payment.

A. The terminology "accelerated benefit" shall be included in the descriptive title. Products regulated under this chapter shall not be described or marketed as long-term care insurance or as providing long-term care or other type of illness benefits.

B. A disclosure statement is required at the time of application for the policy or rider and at the time the accelerated benefit payment request is submitted that receipt of these accelerated benefits may be taxable and that assistance should be sought from a personal tax advisor. The disclosure statement shall be prominently displayed on the first page of the policy or rider and any other related documents.

C. 1. A written disclosure including, but not necessarily limited to, a brief description of the accelerated benefit and definitions of the conditions or occurrences triggering payment of the benefits shall be given to the applicant. The description shall include an explanation of any effect of the payment of a benefit on the policy's cash value, accumulation account, death benefit, premium, policy loans and policy liens.

a. In the case of agent solicited insurance, the agent shall provide the disclosure form to the applicant prior to or concurrently with the application. Acknowledgment of the disclosure shall be signed by the applicant and writing agent.

b. In the case of a solicitation by direct response methods, the insurer shall provide the disclosure form to the applicant at the time the policy is delivered, with a notice that a full premium refund shall be received if the policy is returned to the company within the free look period.

c. In the case of group insurance policies, the disclosure form shall be contained as part of the certificate of coverage or any related document furnished by the insurer for the individual certificateholder.

2. If there is a premium or cost of insurance charge for the accelerated benefit, the insurer shall give the applicant a generic illustration numerically demonstrating any effect of the payment of a benefit on the policy's cash value, accumulation account, death benefit, premium, policy loans and policy liens.

a. In the case of agent solicited insurance, the agent shall provide the illustration to the applicant prior to or concurrently with the application.

b. In the case of a solicitation by direct response methods, the insurer shall provide the illustration to the applicant at the time the policy is delivered.

c. In the case of group insurance policies, the disclosure form shall be contained as part of the certificate of coverage or any related document furnished by the insurer for the individual certificateholder.

3. a. Insurers with financing options other than as described in 14VAC5-70-120 A 2 and A 3 shall disclose to the policyowner any premium or cost of insurance charge for the accelerated benefit. These insurers shall make a reasonable effort to assure that the certificateholder is aware of any additional premium or cost of insurance charge if the certificateholder is required to pay such charge.

b. Insurers shall furnish an actuarial demonstration to the commission when filing the product disclosing the method of arriving at their cost for the accelerated benefit.

4. The insurer shall disclose to the policyowner any administrative expense charge. The insurer shall make a reasonable effort to assure that the certificateholder is aware of any administrative expense charge if the certificateholder is required to pay such charge.

D. When a policyowner or certificateholder requests an acceleration, the insurer shall send a statement to the policyowner or certificateholder and irrevocable beneficiary showing any effect that the payment of the accelerated benefit will have on the policy's cash value, accumulation account, death benefit, premium, policy loans and policy liens. The statement shall disclose that receipt of accelerated benefit payments may adversely affect the recipient's eligibility for Medicaid or other government benefits or entitlements. In addition, receipt of an accelerated benefit payment may be taxable and assistance should be sought from a personal tax advisor. When a previous disclosure statement becomes invalid as a result of an acceleration of the death benefit, the insurer shall send a revised disclosure statement to the policyowner or certificateholder and irrevocable beneficiary. When the insurer agrees to accelerate death benefits, the insurer shall issue an amended schedule page to the policyholder or notify the certificateholder under a group policy to reflect any new, reduced in-force face amount of the contract.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 9, eff. June 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2002.

14VAC5-70-90. Effective date of the accelerated benefits.

The accelerated benefit provision shall be effective for accidents on the effective date of the policy or rider. The accelerated benefit provision shall be effective for illness no more than 30 days following the effective date of the policy or rider.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 10, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-100. Waiver of premiums.

The insurer may offer a waiver of premium for the accelerated benefit provision in the absence of a regular waiver of premium provision being in effect. At the time the benefit is claimed, the insurer shall explain any continuing premium requirement to keep the policy in force.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 11, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-110. Discrimination.

Insurers shall not unfairly discriminate among insureds with differing qualifying events covered under the policy or among insureds with similar qualifying events covered under the policy. Insurers shall not apply further conditions on the payment of the accelerated benefits other than those conditions specified in the policy or rider.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 12, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-120. Actuarial standards; financing options; effect on cash value; effect of outstanding policy loans.

A.1. The insurer may require a premium charge or cost of insurance charge for the accelerated benefit. These charges shall be based on sound actuarial principles. In the case of group insurance, the additional cost may also be reflected in the experience rating.

2. The insurer may pay a present value of the face amount. The calculation shall be based on any applicable actuarial discount appropriate to the policy design. The interest rate or interest rate methodology used in the calculation shall be based on sound actuarial principles and disclosed in the contract or actuarial memorandum. The maximum interest rate used shall be no greater than the greater of:

a. The current yield on 90 day treasury bills; or

b. The current maximum statutory adjustable policy loan interest rate.

3. The insurer may accrue an interest charge on the amount of the accelerated benefits. The interest rate or interest rate methodology used in the calculation shall be based on sound actuarial principles and disclosed in the contract or actuarial memorandum. The maximum interest rate used shall be no greater than the greater of:

a. The current yield on 90 day treasury bills; or

b. The current maximum statutory adjustable policy loan interest rate.

The interest rate accrued on the portion of the lien which is equal in amount to the cash value of the contract at the time of the benefit acceleration shall be no more than the policy loan interest rate stated in the contract.

B.1. Except as provided in subsection B2 of this section, when an accelerated benefit is payable, there shall be no more than a pro rata reduction in the cash value based on the percentage of death benefits accelerated to produce the accelerated benefit payment.

2. Alternatively, the payment of accelerated benefits, any administrative expense charges, any future premiums and any accrued interest can be considered a lien against the death benefit of the policy or rider and the access to the cash value may be restricted to any excess of the cash value over the sum of any other outstanding loans and the lien. Future access to additional policy loans could also be limited to any excess of the cash value over the sum of the lien and any other outstanding policy loans.

C. When payment of an accelerated benefit results in a pro rata reduction in the cash value, the payment may not be applied toward repaying an amount greater than a pro rata portion of any outstanding policy loans.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 13, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-130. Actuarial disclosure and reserves.

A. A qualified actuary shall be required to describe the accelerated benefits, the risks, the expected costs and the calculation of statutory reserves in an actuarial memorandum accompanying each filing. The insurer shall maintain in its files descriptions of the bases and procedures used to calculate benefits payable under these provisions. These descriptions shall be made available for examination by the commission upon request.

B. 1. When benefits are provided through the acceleration of benefits under group or individual life policies or riders to such policies, policy reserves shall be determined in accordance with §§ 38.2-1365 through 38.2-1385 of the Code of Virginia. All valuation assumptions used in constructing the reserves shall be determined as appropriate for statutory valuation purposes by a member in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries. Mortality tables and interest currently recognized for life insurance reserves by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners may be used as well as appropriate assumptions for the other provisions incorporated in the policy form. The actuary must follow both actuarial standards and certification for good and sufficient reserves. Reserves in the aggregate should be sufficient to cover:

a. Policies upon which no claim has yet arisen.

b. Policies upon which an accelerated claim has arisen.

2. For policies and certificates which provide actuarially equivalent benefits, no additional reserves need to be established.

3. Policy liens and policy loans, including accrued interest, represent assets of the company for statutory reporting purposes. For any policy on which the policy lien exceeds the policy's statutory reserve liability such excess must be held as a nonadmitted asset.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 14, eff. June 1, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 22, eff. July 1, 2002; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2015.

14VAC5-70-140. Filing requirement.

The filing and prior approval of forms containing an accelerated benefit is required.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 15, eff. June 1, 1992.

14VAC5-70-150. Severability.

If any provision of this chapter (14VAC5-70-10 et seq.), or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 44, Case No. INS920076, § 16, eff. June 1, 1992.

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