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Munich Re Group Annual Report 2006 (PDF, 1.8

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<strong>Munich</strong> <strong>Re</strong> <strong>Group</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Re</strong>port <strong>2006</strong> Notes_Equity and liabilities<br />

these provisions are posted on the basis of national regulations, a<br />

retrospective approach is usually taken based on supervisory or individual<br />

contract regulations. Besides this, there are provisions for<br />

deferred premium refunds, which are posted for the amounts apportionable<br />

to policyholders from the valuation differences between<br />

IFRS and local GAAP on the basis of the expected future participation<br />

quotas. For unrealised gains and losses on investments available for<br />

sale, which are recognised directly in equity (see assets item B), the<br />

resultant provision for deferred premium refunds is also posted<br />

without impact on profit or loss; otherwise, changes in the provision<br />

for deferred premium refunds are recognised in the income statement.<br />

All technical provisions are regularly subjected to a liability adequacy<br />

test in accordance with IFRS 4. If current experience shows<br />

that the provisions posted on the basis of the original assumptions –<br />

less the related deferred acquisition costs and the present value of<br />

the related premiums – is inadequate to cover the expected future<br />

benefits, we adjust the technical provisions with recognition in profit<br />

or loss. The appropriateness of unearned premiums and of the provision<br />

for outstanding claims is assessed in relation to the realistically<br />

estimated future amount to be paid. The appropriateness of the provision<br />

for future policy benefits is assessed on the basis of realistic<br />

estimates of the actuarial assumptions, the proportional investment<br />

result and, for contracts with participation in surplus, the future profit<br />

sharing.<br />

D Gross technical provisions for life insurance policies where the<br />

investment risk is borne by the policyholders<br />

This item includes the provision for future policy benefits in life primary<br />

insurance where policyholders bear the investment risk themselves<br />

(unit-linked life insurance). The value of the provision for<br />

future policy benefits essentially corresponds to the market value<br />

of the relevant investments shown under assets item C. Besides this,<br />

as under the provision for future policy benefits as per FAS 97, they<br />

may include additional premium components; cf. the notes on assets<br />

item C. Changes in this provision are fully recognised in the underwriting<br />

result. Insofar as these changes derive from unrealised gains<br />

and losses from alterations in the fair values of the related investments,<br />

they are matched by opposite changes of the same amount<br />

in the investment result.<br />

E Other accrued liabilities<br />

This item includes provisions for post-employment benefits. The<br />

companies in the <strong>Munich</strong> <strong>Re</strong> <strong>Group</strong> generally give commitments to<br />

their staff in the form of defined contribution plans or defined benefit<br />

plans. The type and amount of the pension obligations are determined<br />

by the conditions of the respective pension plan. In general,<br />

they are based on the staff member’s length of service and salary.<br />

Under defined contribution plans, the companies pay fixed contributions<br />

to an insurer or a pension fund. This fully covers the com-<br />

panies’ obligations. Under defined benefit plans, the staff member is<br />

promised a particular level of retirement benefit either by the companies<br />

or by a pension fund. The companies’ contributions needed<br />

to finance this are not fixed in advance. If pension obligations are<br />

covered by assets held by a legally separate entity (e.g. a fund or a<br />

contractual trust agreement in the form of a two-way trust) – assets<br />

that may only be used to cover the pension commitments given and<br />

are not accessible to creditors – the pension obligations are shown<br />

less the amount of these plan assets. If the fair value of the plan<br />

assets exceeds the related outsourced pension obligations, this<br />

repayment claim is shown under “other receivables”. Pension<br />

obligations are recognised in accordance with IAS 19 (Employee<br />

Benefits) using the projected unit credit method and based on actuarial<br />

studies. The calculation includes not only the pension entitlements<br />

and current pensions known on the balance sheet date but<br />

also their expected future development.<br />

The interest rate at which the pension obligations are discounted<br />

is based on the yields for long-term high-quality bonds (e.g. government<br />

bonds). Actuarial gains or losses from pension obligations and<br />

plan assets result from the deviation of actual risk experience from<br />

estimated risk experience. They are recognised directly in equity,<br />

without impact on profit or loss.<br />

Tax provisions for current taxes are posted – without discounting –<br />

in accordance with the probable tax payments for the year under<br />

review or previous years.<br />

Other provisions are established in the amount of the probable<br />

requirement; such amounts are not discounted if the interest-rate<br />

effect is insignificant.<br />

F Liabilities<br />

This item comprises bonds and notes issued, deposits retained on<br />

ceded business and other liabilities. Financial liabilities are recognised<br />

at amortised cost. The value of the option components of<br />

ERGO International AG’s exchangeable bonds converted or<br />

redeemed in the financial year was determined as the difference<br />

between the market price of the exchangeable bonds and the value<br />

of the bond components calculated on the basis of current market<br />

yields. Direct minority interests in special funds are measured at fair<br />

value.<br />

G Deferred tax liabilities<br />

Under IAS 12, deferred tax liabilities must be recognised if asset<br />

items have to be valued higher, or liabilities items lower, in the consolidated<br />

balance sheet than in the tax accounts of the reporting<br />

company and these differences will be eliminated at a later date with<br />

a corresponding impact on taxable income (temporary differences);<br />

cf. notes on assets item H.<br />

163

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