The impact of IFRS 9 on insurers and its interaction with IFRS 17

On 9 December 2021 the IASB issued the amendment to IFRS 17 relating to the presentation of comparative information of financial assets on initial application of IFRS 17, ‘Insurance Contracts’.

The amendment permits an entity to apply an optional classification overlay in the comparative period(s) presented on initial application of IFRS 17. The overlay allows all financial assets, including those held in respect of activities not connected to contracts within the scope of IFRS 17, to be classified, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, in the comparative period(s) in a way that aligns with how the entity expects those assets to be classified on initial application of IFRS 9. The overlay can be applied by entities that have already applied IFRS 9 or will apply it when they apply IFRS 17.

IFRS 17 should be applied to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, with earlier application permitted, and the amendment should be applied at the same time.