Run-Off Portfolio — Reserve Transfer
Transferring claims reserves for a discontinued line of business to a run-off reserve account.
| Account Name | Type | Debit ($) | Credit ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Claims Reserve (Active Portfolio) | Liability (-) | 500,000.00 | - |
| Run-Off Claims Reserve | Liability (+) | - | 500,000.00 |
💡 Accountant's Note
When a line of business is discontinued, its remaining liabilities are placed into run-off. Segregating these reserves helps management track the remaining exposure and cost of the discontinued book.
Practitioner & Systems Framework
💻 ERP Architecture
Run-off portfolios are set up as separate line-of-business codes or legal entity codes in the claims management system and GL. The reserve transfer is a reclassification between GL accounts — it does not affect total liabilities. Claims from the run-off book continue to be managed in the claims system but under the run-off flag. A dedicated run-off manager monitors the remaining claims and optimises settlement timing. If the run-off is transferred to a third-party run-off specialist (via a Part VII transfer or portfolio transfer), the reserve is derecognised from the insurer's balance sheet.
⚠️ Audit Flags
Auditors confirm the completeness of the run-off reserve — all claims from the discontinued line must be identified and included. Test that no new business has been written under the run-off code. For Part VII portfolio transfers, auditors verify that the regulatory transfer conditions have been met and the liability has been derecognised. Assess the run-off reserve adequacy annually — long-duration run-off reserves for bodily injury or liability claims remain subject to development.
📄 Required Documentation
Board resolution to discontinue the line of business, run-off reserve calculation (all outstanding and IBNR claims), regulatory notification of the run-off, Part VII transfer documentation (if applicable), and run-off management plan.
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Expert Analysis by Qusai Ahmad
General Accountant Supervisor & IFRS Specialist
Specialized in SAP GUI automation and Middle Eastern tax compliance. Building digital tools for the next generation of finance leaders.