KPMG in Ireland

Solvency II reform: a compliance exercise, or a strategic opportunity? As insurers prepare for the amending directive to apply from 30 January 2027, attention is increasingly turning from the detail of individual changes to what the reforms mean collectively for strategy, capital and decision-making. In the latest episode of KPMG Ireland’s Inside Insurance series, Clara McDonald, Lukas Ehlers and Himanshu Sikri bring together the topics covered across the series to date, taking a holistic look across all three Solvency II pillars and considering the strategic implications of the changes. From the potential capital released through the risk margin changes to the Volatility Adjustment, SCR, ORSA, proportionality and Pillar 3 reporting, we discuss what the reforms could mean for both life and non-life insurers.

In our latest Inside Insurance – Navigating Solvency II Reform video, Eoin King, Órlaith Lehane and Ogochukwu Nkado discuss one of the key new Pillar 2 requirements being introduced under the Solvency II Review – Liquidity Risk Management Plans (LRMPs). The session explores why liquidity has become an increasing regulatory focus, what insurers will be required to do from January 2027, and some of the practical implementation challenges firms are likely to face, including cash-flow projections, liquidity stress testing, governance, liquidity indicators and management actions. While many insurers may already have some of the building blocks in place through existing ORSA and Recovery Plan processes, LRMPs bring these elements together into a more structured and evidence-based framework. With implementation approaching, now is a good time for insurers to assess readiness and identify any gaps in their current liquidity risk management capabilities.

KPMG's Jean Rea sits down with Michael Leahy, President of Insurance Ireland, for a wide-ranging discussion on some of the most important developments affecting the sector today. Their conversation explores topics including: • The introduction of the new Personal Investment Account (PIA) and its potential impact on long-term savings and investment behaviour • The industry's implementation of the Right to be Forgotten framework for cancer survivors • Progress on flood insurance and improving protection for communities at risk • Ireland's strong role in the international and speciality insurance market

Ireland already has a recovery planning regime in place, but with IRRD applying from January 2027 what does that mean for Irish regulated insurers? In our latest Inside Insurance video, Jean Rea discusses with Brendan McCarthy and Matthew Green the potential impact of a more focussed harmonised regime with fewer market participants, the linkage with resolution planning, and the lessons that can be drawn from the more mature BRRD regime.

In the latest episode of Inside Insurance, Jean Rea is joined by David Fitzgerald from the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) to where they discuss developments in the Irish motor insurance landscape including Continuous Vehicle Coverage (CVC) and the introduction of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID).  David shares insights into how these initiatives are helping to identify uninsured vehicles, strengthen enforcement capabilities and improve the accuracy and accessibility of motor insurance information.

In our latest Inside Insurance – Navigating Solvency II Reform video, Jean Rea and Órlaith Lehane discuss one of the most significant Pillar 2 developments coming through the Solvency II Review – sustainability risk management. The session looks at the evolving expectations on insurers, including Sustainability Risk Plans, governance and risk management integration, ORSA scenario analysis, and consideration of the broader ESG risk spectrum. With implementation due from January 2027, now is a great time for insurers to understand what is changing and how existing climate risk frameworks can be leveraged to support compliance.

In this edition of Bermudan Insights, Jean Rea is joined by Anam Khan, Partner in KPMG Bermuda and Head of Actuarial for the KPMG Islands Group to explore the role Bermuda plays in global insurance and reinsurance markets. The discussion looks at market dynamics and key trends across both life and non-life insurance sectors. If these themes are relevant to your business, get in touch with Jean, Anam, or the KPMG team to continue the conversation.

In our fourth Inside Insurance – Navigating Solvency II Reform video, Eoin King and Sinead Heavey explore the concept of proportionality — a theme that has featured across the video series to date. The discussion examines proportionality from both an SNCU and non-SNCU perspective, discussion the process involved , as well as the practical implications across all three pillars of Solvency II.   Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to explore any aspects of upcoming changes in more detail.

In our third Inside Insurance – Navigating Solvency II Reform video, Eoin King and Sinead Heavey explore what the upcoming Pillar 3 changes could mean for Irish insurers ahead of the January 2027 implementation date. The discussion covers key impacts across the SFCR, RSR and QRTs. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to explore any aspects of upcoming changes in more detail.

In our second Inside Insurance - Navigating Solvency II Reform video, Eoin King, Clara McDonald and Sinead Heavey discuss what the Solvency II Pillar 2 changes could mean for Irish insurers ahead of adoption date in January 2027. If you would like to learn more or discuss any aspect of the upcoming changes, please get in touch with the team. https://kpmg.com/ie/en/insights/insurance/inside-insurance-podcast-series.html