Is your DC Plan successful?
Factors to consider when measuring success

Volume VI - January 2012

We are delighted to present the sixth edition of Mercer’s DC Connections. In this issue, we explore the critical success factors of defined contribution (DC) plans. The topic of plan success comes during a period of turmoil that is driving the prioroties of the DC plan. From an employee perspective, retirement savings is becoming a more important element of the employment value proposition. As highlighted in Mercer's recent Inside Employees' Minds^TM survey of attitudes about elements of the employment value proposition, effective savings and retirement programs were highlighted as an important element of the value proposition in nine of the 17 countries surveyed. Further, in the US and Canada, retirement programs ranked the second most important element (behind pay) to the elements of the employment "deal."

Download icon Download PDF A4 | US Letter or alternatively, please view articles in full below.

INTRODUCTION

Andrew Kramer, New York

SUCCESS IN A DC PLAN: WHAT IS IT AND DO YOU KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE SUCCEEDING?

Neil Lloyd, Vancouver

MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

Amy Reynolds, Richmond and Rachel Brougham, Manchester

MEMBER-DECISION ANALYSIS - A CASE STUDY

Jean-Daniel Côté, Montreal

ADJUSTING TO NEW REALITIES: ENABLING GOOD MEMBER OUTCOMES

Brian Henderson, Edinburgh

LEAKAGE: A FIRST WORLD (AND THIRD WORLD) PERSPECTIVE

Bill McClain, Seattle

RETIREMENT AGE: A FOUNDATION OF RETIREMENT DESIGN AND PLANNING

Bob Moreen, Philadelphia

CONCLUSION

Julie Humphries, Dallas

DC videos

Mercer has updated its Global Defined Contribution (DC) video series to focus on the challenges of managing defined contribution plans in these unprecedented times. This video series brings together Mercer DC thought leaders from our retirement, risk & finance and investment consulting businesses around the globe.

You can watch the streaming videos or download them to watch on your own computer.

video Mercer's DC videos

Mercer is a leading global provider of investment services, and offers customized guidance at every stage of the investment decision, risk management and investment monitoring process. We have been dedicated to meeting the needs of clients for more than 30 years, and we work with the fiduciaries of pension funds, foundations, endowments and other investors in some 35 countries. We assist with every aspect of institutional investing (and retail portfolios in some geographies), from strategy, structure and implementation to ongoing fiduciary management.

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