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OCE-84-1 1 (1984-04-06)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabemb0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 



                                                              /4~snL4

BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL

Report To Senator Orrin, G. Hatch, Senator Lowell P.

Weicker, Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum, And

Senator Paula Hawkins, United States Senate


OF THE UNITED STATES



Economic Implications Of The

Fair Insurance Practices Act


The proposed Fair Insurance Practices Act (uni-
sex insurance) would prohibit distinctions based
on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in
pension plans and insurance contracts. Because
of the unknown reactions of insurance compan-
ies, pension plan sponsors, and state insurance
regulators, the precise effects of the bill are
uncertain. However, GAO does believe that the
bill would have substantial economic effects,
including potential unfunded liabilities for life
insurance companies and pension plans which
could cause some life insurance companies to
become insolvent. The bill would also impose
Increased administrative costs, create financial
redistributions among employees and policyhold-
ers, and have generally modest effects on price
distortions and economic efficiency.

GAO concludes that the short-run effects of the
bill on increasing administrative costs and insol-
vencies would be particularly significant The
transition period called for in the bill (between
the date of enactment and the bill's effective
date) is also not feasible. Therefore GAO recom-
mends that the Congress consider extending this
period from 90 days to at least one year and
exempting existing individual insurance contracts
from the provisions of the bill





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                                    0    ,  -O9                   GAO /OCE-84-1
                                                                  APRIL 6, 1984