Zillmer's method
A method of policy reserve* accumulation.
Under the method, the amount of policy reserve* is accumulated in a smaller amount in the first year.
Since life insurance companies generally incur significant amounts of initial operating expenses* in the first year, this initial strain will be amortized over a certain period.
*J-GAAP
![](/en/glossary/012/main/03/teaserItems1/0/binaryNodeName/comment_kato_02.png)
Since the ratio of new policies to the number of policies-in-force is relatively high, newly-founded insurance companies are allowed to use Zillmer's method according to laws and regulations.
In the 5-year Zillmer's method, policy reserves of new policy will begin to be accumulated in the same manner as in the net level premium method after five years.
![](/en/glossary/012/main/03/teaserItems1/00/binaryNodeName/img_012.png)