FTSE 100 companies increase life expectancy assumptions for third consecutive year
30 June 2009FTSE 100 companies have increased the life expectancy assumptions used in valuing their pension scheme liabilities for the third consecutive year, according to a new report issued by Mercer.
Survey: employee choices in flexible benefits
25 June 2009Research into flexible benefit schemes across a range of companies shows clear differences in the choices made by different employee groups, a research study by Mercer has shown.
Importance of investment risk management in buy-in strategies
19 June 2009Dairy Crest have announced that the company’s pension fund has purchased a second bulk annuity, which insures the balance of liabilities for pensions in payment. Mercer was the investment consultant for the deal.
Innovation in longevity swaps needs to continue
19 June 2009The actuarial profession has been eagerly awaiting the Continuous Mortality Investigation’s* (CMI) publication of a suggested model for forecasting future improvements in life expectancy
Slow decision-making the greatest challenge to pension funds
15 June 2009Slow decision-making is the greatest challenge facing pension funds, according to more than a third of the 240 attendees at Mercer’s European Investment Forum.
Senior outsourcing appointment at Mercer UK
11 June 2009Jerry Neudegg has joined Mercer as a principal and as head of operational accounting in its outsourcing business.
Mercer holds EMEA energy forum in London
9 June 2009Mercer will be holding its second annual Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) energy forum on Friday 19 June in London.
Mercer wins gold in European real estate awards
9 June 2009Mercer has won the gold award for investment consultancy at the 2009 Investment & Pensions Europe Real Estate Awards.
Mercer UK appointed consultant and administrator for Rical pension fund
8 June 2009Mercer has won an actuarial services, investment consulting and scheme administration appointment for the defined benefit pension fund of Rical Limited
UK longevity swaps - Buy now while stocks last?
4 June 2009Mercer has questioned whether there will be sufficient capacity in the longevity swap market to match what seems likely to be substantial increased demand for managing longevity risk.
Mercer launches major new UK initiative to manage pension financial risks
2 June 2009Mercer is launching an innovative solution into the UK market to manage pension financial risks. The new facility addresses widespread concern from trustees about the funding of their defined benefit pension plans, particularly in the face of...
Alan Baker and Rupert Brindley appointed to lead new financial risk management group at Mercer UK
1 June 2009Mercer has made two leadership appointments for a new enterprise to enable companies and trustees to manage their pension risks more effectively. Alan Baker is appointed chief operating officer and Rupert Brindley becomes chief architect for...
Mercer UK launches major new initiative to manage pension financial risks
1 June 2009Mercer is launching an innovative solution into the UK pensions market to manage pension financial risks.
Senior staff bear brunt of pay freezes, according to quarterly Salary Indicator survey
28 May 2009A large proportion of companies are still refraining from implementing salary freezes, according to quarterly research into global salary trends carried out by Mercer.
Mercer holds web briefing on acquiring in the US
27 May 2009Mercer is holding a web briefing to outline the key people management risks involved when acquiring businesses in the US.
Mercer UK welcomes first longevity swap
14 May 2009Mercer has welcomed the news of the first pension scheme to transact a longevity swap as a major step in assisting companies manage the uncertain future improvements in life expectancy.
Mercer wins Communication Specialist of the Year award
13 May 2009Mercer wins Communication Specialist of the Year category at Pensions and Investment Adviser Awards 2009
No green shoots until 2010 but equities and commodities set to grow
13 May 2009No green shoots until 2010 but equities and commodities set to grow. Fund Managers responsible for in excess of €1 trillion attend Mercer European Investment Forum in the Four Seasons, Dublin
UK medical inflation at 4% as claims increase
11 May 2009The cost of providing health benefits to UK employees has risen by 4 percent in 2008, according to a report from Mercer, based on its annual Medical Inflation report. The report also shows that the number of claims has risen by 3 percent over the...
Mercer welcomes ‘coming of age’ for DC schemes
8 May 2009Mercer has welcomed PADA’s discussion paper on investment* as a ‘coming of age’ for defined contribution (DC) pension schemes, and has expressed support for the proposals which appear to focus on the people who matter most – the members.
The scales of UK pension risk must be rebalanced, says Mercer
8 May 2009Mercer has called on the government to review the way legislation places the majority of the risk of defined benefit pension provision on employers. According to the benefits consultancy, current economic volatility is forcing employers to review...
FTSE 350 pension deficit at £61 billion as market conditions continue to deteriorate
7 May 2009FTSE 350 pension scheme funding levels on a company accounting basis have ranged from 78 percent to 104 percent over the past 15 months highlighting the extreme financial uncertainty facing sponsors of defined benefit pension plans in the UK,...
Manager search activity declines globally in 2008 as investors concentrate on strategic issues
5 May 2009Globally, manager search activity is slowing down as investors focus their attention on strategic issues, according to data released by Mercer. The 2008 Global Manager Search Trends report gives insight into institutional investment manager hiring...
Mercer wins another award, as UK Investment Consultant of the Year
5 May 2009Mercer has been named ‘Investment Consultant of the Year’ at the Professional Pensions UK Pensions Awards 2009. A panel of judges, consisting of 12 senior names from the pensions industry, voted Mercer the winner. The award recognises the firm’s...
Mercer comment on UK government pay audits proposals
1 May 2009Mercer has questioned the effectiveness of proposals to ensure that firms with more than 250 employees report on the pay gap that exists between their male and female employees.