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Round up of pensions from around the world
16 September 2009 - Anne BennettThis article provides a roundup of recent news and developments in the pension arena, from around the world, and includes Japan, Russia and Switzerland.
Why up to date technology matters
16 September 2009 - Mark MumfordIn recent years, technology has become critical in delivering pension administration services, with contract-based DC providers generally leading the way in terms of using technology to enhance delivery. This can lead to cost savings, lower error...
Investment update - September 2009
15 September 2009This service brings you our latest thinking on global and local investment issues. To receive future investment newsletters by e-mail, simply complete our free registration process and tick the option to receive information from us.
UK DC - Getting the message across
15 September 2009Effective communication underpins and enhances the success of DC plans. Employees are unlikely to use or value a plan if they are not aware of the benefits offered or don’t understand why and how they should use them. Sponsors have different...
Flexible savings scheme offers real choice
13 September 2009 - Tony PughAs more companies close their traditional pension schemes, employees are worried. Can they really save enough for their retirement as well as meet those immediate financial demands – saving for the deposit on a home and repaying debt – that compete...
Investment strategies review
8 September 2009Welcome to the 'Investment Strategies Review' series of programmes in conjunction with Asset TV. There will be a total of four programmes starting from March which will run monthly. Watch the programmes to see Senior Mercer Investment Consulting...
H1N1 swine flu pandemic checklist - Is your business prepared?
26 August 2009Mercer has prepared the following checklist to help employers identify the essential issues, solutions and information sources that will help organisations prepare, monitor and manage their workforce before and during a pandemic.
Improving and regulating the alternative investments industry
25 August 2009 - Robert HowieMercer believes that the alternative investment industry needs improvement and better supervision. It is an important industry for all investors, but not all fund managers offer operationally sound products and treat investors fairly. The paper...
Top 5 tips for managing benefits costs
24 August 2009Many employers are experiencing considerable pressure on costs in the current economic environment. There is significant potential to manage employee benefits spend, and in many cases, reduce the costs of your employee benefits. In this article...
Aegon coming out of the market
21 August 2009AEGON UK has withdrawn from the UK Group Risk marketplace and will no longer be accepting quotations for new business. If your group income protection or death in service benefits are currently insured with AEGON UK, Mercer can recommend action in...
Salary sacrifice: How much could you save?
14 August 2009Salary sacrifice is an arrangement whereby employees agree to the exchange of earnings for non-cash benefits. Large and small organisations alike are using salary sacrifice to realise substantial National Insurance (NI) savings, which benefit both...
Overcoming the odds - Is it time to remove some longevity risk?
12 August 2009 - Kevin McLaughlinThrough Longevity Swaps it is now finally possible for pension schemes to transfer their longevity exposure into a rapidly developing risk transfer market. Longevity swaps are now being offered by a growing number of counterparties. This brochure...
Longevity bulletin - New postcode mortality tools
4 August 2009 - Gordon FletcherPension scheme members living longer than expected can lead to unforeseen costs for sponsors. This Longevity risk is a major concern for defined benefit plan sponsors and trustees alike. This publication discusses the new models and techniques that...
Pensions risk management - Cashless de-risking
4 August 2009 - Gordon FletcherIn this challenging environment, the key constraint for many sponsors in any de-risking strategy is cash. With a limited cash availability what are your options for de-risking your pension plan? In this issue of Pensions risk management, we present...
Buy-in prices: is now a good time to act?
31 July 2009 - David EllisMany trustees and employers have considered whether a bulk annuity buy-in would be a good investment. Many of the factors that affect annuity pricing indicate that annuity prices will increase into 2010. David Ellis investigates whether this means...
The effect of deflation on defined contribution pension schemes
30 July 2009 - Dina McDonaldThe latest Retail Price Index showed a year-on-year drop in prices of 0.4% to March '09. This article examines the impact such deflation could have, and the significance for retired Defined Contribution pension plan members.
2009 Mercer European Investment Forum - Save the date
29 July 2009Mercer's Investment Consulting business is pleased to announce our seventh European Investment Forum. This will be a one day conference attended by asset managers and Mercer staff only.
Property investment - Why style is important
24 July 2009 - Stephen RyanProperty investment style - core, value added, or opportunistic - has a major impact on the risk and return of the investment. Stephen Ryan explains why it is important that pension investors consider style when selecting a property fund.
Pensions vs. jobs
23 July 2009Deficits have begun to emerge in some defined benefit schemes for the first time since a buy-out debt was imposed in 2003. Because solvent employers now have no choice but to maintain the increased security of older generations of workers, they...
Paying for pensions during a recession??
22 July 2009 - Deborah CooperIn response to the global recession a number of high profile providers have closed their defined benefit schemes in favour of defined contribution schemes. As this move transfers risk to employees, Deborah Cooper examines how the risk can be...
Changes to statutory money payment illustrations - further food for thought
21 July 2009 - Paul NiblettIn February the Board of Actuarial Standards proposed changes for producing Statutory Money Purchase Illustrations which exludes the contracting-out of rebates from 2012. Here we look at the implications of the final decisions, for employers /...
DC Connections - A collection of global perspectives
21 July 2009Welcome to the third edition of Mercer’s DC Connections. There’s no question that defined contribution (DC) retirement programs across the globe have been affected by the economic crisis. Plan members have seen their retirement assets dramatically...
An Update for the Timberland Market
20 July 2009 - Dragana TimotijevicJudging by the performance of the US NCREIF Timberland index , timberland assets have been one of the best performing investments over the last two years; the index delivered a 9.5% return in 2008 following a strong return of 18.8% in 2007.
Longevity swaps - Are they a good risk management tool for pension funds?
20 July 2009 - Gordon FletcherUK - a longevity swap allows a pension scheme to commit to a fixed series of payments to the provider, and the provider meets the pension payments as they fall due. Longevity swaps are a welcome development to the risk management tool-box, and one...
Overpayments – Review your approach following HMRC changes
20 July 2009 - Robert FairhallUK - Since 6 April 2006, overpayment of pension after a recipients death may be considered an unauthorised payment, with tax implications for both the deceased's family and the pension trust. New legislation changes authorise the overpayment of a...
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