Responsible actuaries

A key role for more clarity

The Responsible Actuaries working group is dedicated to supporting and interpreting complex legal requirements. It ensures a better understanding and clear orientation in this essential insurance function.

WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBLE ACTUARIES WORKING GROUP?

Function with responsibility

The Responsible Actuaries (RA) working group deals with the interpretation and clarification of the legal requirements placed on this central role within insurance companies. It supports the SAV in uniformly understanding and implementing the tasks and responsibilities of the VA, particularly with regard to legal regulations such as the AVO, VAG or FINMA circulars.

WHY DO WE NEED A WORKING GROUP OF RESPONSIBLE ACTUARIES?

Implementing rules in practice

Legal requirements can often be unclear or difficult to understand for practitioners. The working group helps to interpret these regulations and develop practical guidelines for the role of the RA. It ensures that the function is carried out in accordance with the requirements.

HOW DO I BECOME A RESPONSIBLE ACTUARY?

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications as an actuary, a good reputation and experience in the insurance industry are required to become a VA. FINMA assesses the proposed candidates by evaluating their CVs and conducting personal interviews if necessary. The role may only be exercised after approval.

Where can I find further information? FINMA provides comprehensive information on the legal basis and relevant circulars.

Communication from the "Accountable Actuary" working group of the SAA

The "Accountable Actuary" SAA working group has examined the most important new regulations implemented through changes to the relevant laws and circulars (such as the ISA, ISO and ISO-FINMA). The group uses this to create a checklist that summarises the tasks and responsibilities of Accountable Actuaries.

The checklist is intended to help provide a clear and consistent understanding of the requirements for Accountable Actuaries in the Swiss insurance market and answers typical questions on this topic.

Furthermore, the following guidelines are no longer in line with the revised legislative texts and should therefore be repealed:

Guidelines on the Actuarial Report for Life Insurance
Guidelines on the Actuarial Report for Non-Life Insurance

The existing guidelines are outdated because they no longer meet the new legal requirements. The new checklist contains all necessary notes and replaces the old guidelines.

According to SAA rules, all members must be consulted before guidelines are repealed. We therefore hereby request all SAA members to approve the repeal of the aforementioned guidelines.

According to Article 4 of the Code of Ethics, motions require the written agreement of at least 10% of members. We therefore ask for your support for this motion at the next Annual General Meeting.

Do you agree to the guidelines

Guidelines on the Actuarial Report for Life Insurance
Guidelines on the Actuarial Report for Non-Life Insurance

being repealed and replaced with a checklist?

Please use the voting tool in your SAA member account. Please send your support for this motion by 19 December 2025.

If at least 10% of members support this motion, it can be put to a vote at the 2026 AGM.

We have checked whether the guidelines to be withdrawn contain requirements that are not included in the SO, SO-FINMA, circulars or instructions. Since this is not the case, we do not classify the new checklist as a guideline. Rather, it is intended to help Accountable Actuaries and the group actuary function in their roles. Please contact the working group if you have any comments or suggestions.

By order of the SAA Management Board and on behalf of the Accountable Actuary working group

SAA office

Checklist

PDF

RECOMMENDATIONS

Practical expertise

Recommendations from the “Responsible Actuary” working group at a glance – compact, relevant, and directly applicable to everyday practice.

DATA PROTECTION

GDPR from an actuarial perspective

This notice is intended for European actuaries working in the insurance industry and is designed to help clarify selected issues relating to the practical implementation of the GDPR. However, it does not constitute legal guidance and is by no means a substitute for a comprehensive analysis of the regulation when interpreting individual requirements.

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