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AI Summary of Article 77a Extrapolation of the relevant risk-free interest rate term structure

The relevant risk-free interest rate term structure in Article 77(2) must be derived from information on relevant financial instruments and reflect maturities where markets are deep, liquid and transparent. For maturities beyond the first smoothing point the term structure is extrapolated so forward rates converge smoothly from the forward rate at the first smoothing point to an ultimate forward rate (UFR). The first smoothing point is the longest maturity satisfying (a) deep, liquid and transparent market conditions and (b) a sufficiently high percentage of outstanding bonds of that or longer maturity.

The extrapolated forward rate is a weighted average of a liquid forward rate (based on longest observable maturities in deep, liquid and transparent markets) and the UFR; for maturities at least 40 years beyond the first smoothing point the UFR weight is at least 77.5 %. Extrapolation shall also consider non‑bond instruments where markets are deep, liquid and transparent. Insurers and reinsurers may apply a supervisory‑approved phasing‑in mechanism (detailed timing from 30 January 2027 to 1 January 2032) and must disclose use of the mechanism and the quantified impact of not applying it in the solvency financial condition report. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, on 28 January 2025 the first smoothing point for the euro is 20 years.

Version status: Amended | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 28 January 2025 - onwards
Version 2 of 2

Article 77a Extrapolation of the relevant risk-free interest rate term structure

1. The determination of the relevant risk-free interest rate term structure referred to in Article 77(2) shall make use of, and be consistent with, information derived from relevant financial instruments. That determination shall take into account relevant financial instruments of those maturities where the markets for those financial instruments are deep, liquid and transparent. For maturities beyond the first smoothing point, the relevant risk-free interest rate shall be extrapolated in accordance with the third subparagraph. The first smoothing point for a currency shall be the longest maturity for which the following conditions are met:

(a) the markets for financial instruments of that maturity are deep, liquid and transparent;

(b) the percentage of outstanding bonds of that or a longer maturity among all outstanding bonds denominated in that currency is sufficiently high.

The extrapolated part of the relevant risk-free interest rate term structure shall be based on forward rates converging smoothly from the applicable forward rate at the first smoothing point to an ultimate forward rate (UFR).

The extrapolated forward rate shall be equal to a weighted average of a liquid forward rate and the UFR. The liquid forward rate shall be based on one or a set of forward rates in relation to the longest maturities for which the relevant financial instrument can be observed in a deep, liquid and transparent market. For maturities of at least 40 years past the first smoothing point the weight of the UFR shall be at least 77,5 %.