The Governance module now allows users to merge multiple arrays at once so that each array does not have to be individually merged. Users can use the checkboxes next to the arrays to merge select arrays or all arrays.
Projection Optimizations
We have made several optimizations to projection runs. First, we are better handling runs with a large number of scenarios and ensuring that projection statuses and scenario statuses are updated accurately.
We have also optimized the “Prepare” step of projections, so that models with large numbers of decrement tables run successfully.
Fixes
Slope now provides a descriptive error message when a projection cannot be duplicated due to the model permissions.
The formula builder is now loading without intermittent slowness or freezing.
Data tables will again successfully import when an account has a significant number of files.
We have introduced a new API endpoint that allows you to update a data table using an existing file.
Workbooks
Customizable Table Styles (Beta)
Customize style and format settings for table, pivot table, and input table elements.
Calculation Columns in Input Tables
Calculation columns allow you to use formulas to populate input table column data. To utilize a calculation column, open the element menu, select Add new column > Calculation, then enter a formula in the formula bar.
Duplicate Input Table Columns
Duplicate columns in input table elements the same way you can in table and pivot table elements. Click the caret () in the column header to open the column menu, then select Duplicate column.
Highlight Rows with {value}
The highlight functionality allows you to quickly identify rows with a common value. Right-click any cell containing the value you want to highlight, then click Highlight rows with {value}. Sigma automatically creates a conditional formatting rule that can be modified or deleted in the Element format panel.
Fixes
We are now correctly showing results of the target variable of a Goal seek with Output All Results enabled
After merging between models, we are now retaining the filtering on the list of model differences
Indirect array references are no longer getting incorrectly merged into variables
Pricing variables across all liability products have been updated to work with a new Pricing Parameters input table that allows for the pricing basis to be set for each run. This includes specifying the basis under which pricing is being run as well as pricing targets.
The pricing variables have been updated to read from this table, but pricing logic is still only supported under US bases in this release. Additional calculation bases will be added in future releases.
Long-Term Care
Added support for benefit pools that have been partially exhausted as of the projection start date. Users can now specify the amount of benefits remaining on a given policy, which will be used to limit remaining benefits projected on the policy.
Corrected the calculation of in-force policy counts to correctly reflect all potential statuses, including continuation of joint benefit pool options.
Corrected an issue with on-claim policies showing an incorrect number of in force lives
Corrected the calculation of LTC benefits for policies with lifetime benefits
US GAAP LDTI
New variables were added to all products to support additional disclosures under LDTI
New discounting logic was added at all levels to support calculation of LDTI under Higher Performance Mode
Variable & Table Renaming
Numerous variables and tables have been renamed across the library to create consistency in naming conventions and provide greater clarity on the scope of the variables.
Other Updates
Inputs to control the method of dividend payments on the Whole Life product were moved to a new Dividend Payment Method table which is now referenced from the Whole Life Plan Code table.
Data Defaults were added to liability products to provide a default value of Policy Counts (1), Plan Code (“DEFAULT”), and Premium Mode (“DEFAULT”). These values can now be excluded from model point files without causing errors.
Variable tags were updated on multiple liability products to ensure complete coverage when utilizing variable tag controls on projections.
US Valuation interest rates were updated through November 2023.
A number of variables with Present Value functions were revised such that the present values are calculated over a time period up until the end of the policy termination rather than a constant 100 years
For Externally Projected Liabilities and Externally Projected Assets, created a new Cash Flow Projection Boundary variable to limit the present value of specific market value metric variables. This variable is currently set to a constant 100 years and will be updated in a future release to allow for more configuration setups.
A number of variables referencing a USD currency were revised to reference an appropriate currency variable such that a user only needs to configure the currency in one place.
Corrected some inconsistencies in the plan code table relating to the benefit periods and maximum benefit ages for some plans codes
Added a few model points to the LTC model point file to illustrate on-claim model points and lifetime benefits
Miscellaneous clean-up in the LTC product variables that do not affect results
Bug Fixes
The initial asset scaling will no longer cause a duplication of assets in the portfolio at time 0.
Excluding Pricing variables on annuity products with the variable tag controls will no longer cause an error.
Monthly lapse rates on fixed premium products (Term, Whole Life, CI, LTC, IDI, and Hospital Indemnity) that lapse at times corresponding to the time of premium payment were corrected to reference the prior year’s annual lapse rates. This change is consistent with the default lapse rate timing to occur at the beginning of the year for these products.
Experience Study Analysis
Experience Study Model
Slope has published a standard library model for performing experience studies. This library includes the following functionality:
Selection and categorization of actual claims/experience data transactions
Construction of expected values and exposure records
Calculation of actual rates, actual vs. expected rates, and credibility analysis
Splits by any data category desired
Experience Analysis Workbooks
Two new workbooks have been added to the Slope System workbooks in the Experience Study folder:
Experience Study Results provides tools to analyze results of the experience study library runs including calculations of actual rates, actual vs. expected values, and credibility calculations. The workbook includes dynamic grouping values to calculate results by age and/or duration groups.
Experience Study Validation provides a framework for running validation analysis across the set of actual transaction and expected data records. This includes data validation rules and statistical information to help analyze the data being processed through the experience study.
New & Updated Workbooks
Asset Purchase/Sale Details
This investment details report provides details on the amount of assets being purchased and sold and how those investments are applied down to the model point level. This report is helpful in understanding how your investment strategies are operating.
LDTI
New workbooks to show results of US GAAP LDTI have been added. These include analysis and disclosure based output.
Bermuda
New workbooks have been added to the Bermuda folder that provide details for the calculation of the Best Estimate Liability (BEL) under the Scenarios Based Approach (SBA).
Indexed Annuity
Indexed Annuity Single Policy Details
Fixed Annuity
Fixed Annuity Single Policy Details
Coming Soon
Additional IFRS 17 validation workbooks
Example design patterns for reporting workbooks to more easily illustrate how to create custom workbooks
You can now set a default value for fields in your model point file definition. If your model encounters a row with missing data, it will apply the default value provided for that field. A default value can be provided on required and optional model point fields.
Enhancements
Import Any Age in Decrement Table or Improvement Scale
You can now import any integer value as an age in decrement tables and improvement scales. We previously limited ages to 120. The 120 age limit still exists in the interface but can be altered by importing a file.
Persist State of Projection Folders
When you have projection folders expanded, collapsed, or selected, that state will be retained as you navigate across the site and even when you log out and log back in.
Ordered Yield Curve Columns in Scenario File Template
When exporting a scenario file template, yield curve point columns will be in order of duration rather than the order they were entered in the template. Scenario files generated using scenario structures will also be ordered by duration.
New API Endpoints: Get Table Structures and Get Data Tables
We have introduced two new API endpoints. One endpoint returns the all table structures for a given model ID, and one endpoint returns all data tables for a given model ID.
Fixes
References to global company variables from within product variables no longer improperly run the product dynamically
Array values for range array variables and force recalc variables are again being properly written to results
Changing a table structure column type between Index and Data works without error
Inserting and pasting inside aggregate formulas no longer results in an invalid formula structure
Goal Seek no longer results in infinite loop when time of target is different than time of goal seek
Commas in Table Structure column name no longer result in errors
