Solvency II: Present and Future

Abstract

Since its adoption by the European Union (EU), the Solvency II Directive has fundamentally changed how insurance companies and groups are supervised, manage risks, and stay financially sound. It has introduced a total balance sheet approach, risk-based capital requirements, a three-pillar framework, and cooperative group supervision. As the regime evolves, following the 2020 Solvency II Review and the Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD), Solvency II: Present and Future offers timely and expert commentary on the Directive's core principles and current risks.

This volume explains the theoretical and practical complexities of valuing insurance liabilities and long-term equity investments, the shifting role of national supervisory authorities, and the efforts to harmonize supervisory practices across the EU, with a particular focus on the role of the European supervisory authority EIOPA. It critically assesses the implications of integrating sustainability risk into insurers' risk management and solvency frameworks-an urgent priority in the face of climate change.

In addition to analyzing the EU context, the book situates Solvency II in parallel to global developments such as the IFRS 17, the Insurance Capital Standard (ICS), Solvency UK, and the Swiss Solvency Test (SST). It also addresses future risks, including ESG and systemic risks, evaluating the balance between robust supervision to ensure policyholder protection, financial stability, and the competitiveness of the European insurance industry.

Authored by leading academics and experts, this book is essential reading for legal practitioners and consultants advising the insurance and financial services sectors, policymakers, insurance supervisors, and academics. It combines clear explanations of Solvency II's core principles with forward-looking perspectives on its future trajectory, providing a definitive guide to one of the most influential insurance regulatory frameworks in the world.

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