Unprecedented times for DC plans - How did members, employers and governments react?

Welcome 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 decline, even among those members using target date funds. Some government officials are calling the current economic crisis a watershed moment for DC plans and are calling for radical action. Others suggest that the market crisis is so far-reaching and so unprecedented that no financial arrangement has been spared.

Issue three - July 2009 (Download PDF)

Introduction

Andrew Kramer, New York

How did lifecycle (lifestyle) arrangements fare in the UK?

Brian Henderson, Edinburgh

A US perspective: Did target date funds meet participant expectations?

Lanae Pranger, Chicago

Collective DC: Risk-sharing arrangements in Europe

Craig Burnett, Paris and Tim Burggraaf, Rotterdam

Member reactions

Bill McClain, Seattle; Russell Mason, Sydney and Jean-Daniel Cote, Montreal

DC experiences in Asia

Ben Facer, Singapore

Impact of financial crisis on DC plans: Government reactions around the world

Barbara Marder, Baltimore

So what have we learned from these 'unprecedented times'?

Neil Lloyd, Vancouver

DC videos

Video series on global DC plans Mercer has updated its global DC plan video series to focus on the challenges of managing DC plans in these unprecedented times. The three-part 2009 video series brings together Mercer DC thought leaders from our retirement, risk & finance, and investment consulting businesses around the globe. Videos cover the following topics:

“The impact of the economy on DC plans – short-term reactions, long-term solutions”
“The ideal DC investment line-up in today’s economy”
“DC plan fees: Why and how to review?”

 Mercer's DC videos

Retirement video

Mercer had just released three short videos of a roundtable discussion featuring our global DC experts. The three videos provide an overview of DC trends around the world, DC investment issues and employee engagement.

Mercer's retirement video