Solvency II

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This book provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Solvency II, the European Union’s risk-based solvency regime for the insurance sector. Since its adoption, Solvency II has fundamentally changed how supervisors and insurance companies assess solvency, introducing a total balance sheet approach, risk-based capital requirements, a three-pillar framework, and cooperative group supervision. As the regime evolves, particularly following the Solvency II Review, this book offers timely and expert commentary on key challenges and developments. The book explains the theoretical and practical complexities of valuing insurance liabilities and long-term equity investments, the roles of supervisors, and the efforts to harmonise supervisory practices. It critically assesses the implications of integrating sustainability risk into insurers’ risk management and solvency frameworks—an urgent priority in the face of climate change. In addition to analysing the European Union context, the book situates Solvency II globally by referencing parallel developments such as IFRS 17, the Insurance Capital Standard (ICS), Solvency UK, and the Swiss Solvency Test. It also addresses future risks, including ESG and systemic risks, and evaluates the balance between robust supervision to ensure policyholder protection and financial stability and the competitiveness of insurers. Authored by leading academics and experts, the book is both conceptually rigorous and accessible, making it a valuable resource for policymakers, supervisors, industry practitioners, and academics. It combines clear explanations of Solvency II’s core principles with forward-looking perspectives on its future trajectory, offering a definitive guide to one of the most influential insurance regulatory frameworks in the world.</jats:p>