13. a. A domestic society may, by a reinsurance agreement, cede any individual risk or risks in whole or in part to an insurer, other than another fraternal benefit society, having the power to reinsure and authorized to do business in this State, or if not so authorized, an insurer which is approved by the commissioner, but no domestic society may reinsure substantially all of its insurance in force without the written permission of the commissioner. Credit for reinsurance shall be allowed a domestic ceding society as either an asset or a reduction from liability in accordance with P.L.1993, c.243 (C.17:51B-1 et seq.). A domestic society shall also comply with all requirements of law generally applicable to reinsurance ceded or assumed by life and health insurers of this State.
b. Notwithstanding the limitation of subsection a. of this section, a society may reinsure the risks of another society in a consolidation or merger approved by the commissioner under section 14 of this act.