Equity between with-profits policyholders and shareholders

This paper considers equity, or fairness, as being based on with-profits life insurers acting in accordance with their contracts. It uses the principles of with-profits business in conjunction with a legal approach to derive implied terms in with-profits contracts. The author examines certain situations of conflict between with-profits policyholders and shareholders. The paper does not regard all concerns put forward on behalf of policyholders’ interests as justified in practice: actuaries and regulators have been alert to issues and in many cases have taken appropriate action. However, it does suggest a number of practices that may be unfair. The paper also suggests that the current process for the reattribution of an inherited estate may favour shareholder interests over policyholder interests.