Anticipating a tough 2009, companies remain selective in planning workforce, pay and benefit cuts
10 December 2008A significant majority of multinational companies are trying to be selective in planning 2009 workforce, compensation and benefit cuts, even as they anticipate a decline in their company’s business performance next year, according to a new Mercer...
S&P 1500 pension plans deficit hits record $280 billion
4 December 2008November losses reach $130 billion Funded status drops to 80 percent compared to 97 percent at end of September
Mercer survey finds $1,000 health plan deductible was the norm in 2008
19 November 2008The Mercer survey found that total health plan cost per employee rose by 6.3 percent in 2008. Annual cost increases leveled off at about 6 percent in 2005 and have remained there ever since. Employers expect a similar increase for 2009 – 6.4 percent.
Mercer identifies the top 10 retirement, health and welfare benefit challenges shared by employers
12 November 2008Employers in 48 countries face certain common challenges in providing retirement, health and welfare benefits to employees, underscoring need for global governance
Mercer survey finds majority of defined contribution retirement plans feature automatic enrollment
10 November 2008Automatic enrollment of employees into defined contribution retirement plans such as 401(k)s has been adopted by a majority of plan sponsors, according to a recent survey from Mercer.
Recent financial turmoil is affecting compensation planning, Mercer survey shows
23 October 2008Companies focusing on headcount, not cuts in planned salary increases Focus on rewarding high performers and employees in mission-critical jobs
Mercer issues new compensation module for manufacturing industry
22 October 2008Mercer has just released its new Manufacturing module of the 2008 US Mercer Benchmark Database, which provides an overview of pay levels, trends and practices for jobs in the manufacturing industry.
Mercer names Kerry Sain as North American Sales Leader for its outsourcing business
21 October 2008Mercer, a leading global provider of benefits outsourcing, announced today that it has named Kerry Sain as North American Sales Leader for its outsourcing business, effective November 3. In this role, Ms. Sain will be responsible for leading all...
What price universal health coverage? For many small employers, any price is too high
21 October 2008The majority of employers that don’t provide health benefits say they wouldn’t contribute even $50 a month to cover an employee, while the majority of those that do provide benefits favor mandatory coverage for all, finds a new survey by Mercer.
Accounting rules help pension plans, but losses continue
8 October 2008The upheaval on Wall Street that began a few weeks ago is the latest chapter in the financial market turmoil that began in the middle of last year. Since the end of 2007, the funded status of pension plans sponsored by large US companies has fallen...
Companies failing to measure return on investment for international assignments
8 October 2008Companies are failing to comprehensively measure costs and return on investment (ROI) for staff sent on international assignments, according to a report issues by Mercer, the international benefits consultancy.
Mercer releases its 2008 US Mercer Benchmark Database to help employers establish competitve pay
3 October 2008Mercer has just released its 2008 US Mercer Benchmark Database, a comprehensive source of pay data for more than 1,000 functional positions. The database helps organizations assess trends in pay to ensure compensation for their employees is...
Mercer partners with Robert Powell, independent financial services expert, to provide enhanced retir
1 October 2008Mercer recently enhanced its current participant education offering by partnering with independent financial services expert Robert Powell. As an added-value service from Mercer’s outsourcing business, Mr. Powell will meet with clients’ retirement...
Salary levels remain linked to geographic location, Mercer study shows
19 September 2008Location is a key factor in determining how much an employee is paid. A job that commands a salary of $30,000 nationally can pay as little as $28,117 in Birmingham, Ala., or as much as $37,023 in San Francisco, Calif., according to the 2008 US...
Mercer study shows growth in US director compensation has been unaffected by economic slowdown
11 September 2008In the face of a slowing US economy and weakening corporate performance, corporate director pay has continued to incrase, according to a study released by Mercer today and based upon recent proxy filings.
Mercer study shows growth in US director compensation has been unaffected by economic slowdown
11 September 2008In the face of a slowing US economy and weakening corporate performance, corporate director pay has continued to increase, according to a US study released by Mercer today and based upon recent proxy filings.
Employers interested in phased retirement programs but legal and regulatory uncertainties persist
9 September 2008Testifying today before a US Department of Labor advisory panel, Mercer retirement consultant Pierce Noble said phased retirement programs are important to employers, employees and the US economy, but that the broad implementation of these programs...
Health benefit cost growth predicted to ease slightly in 2009 as employers shift cost
3 September 2008After three years of double-digit growth in the first half of the decade, annual health benefit cost increases slowed to about 6 percent in 2005 and have stayed there ever since. Preliminary survey findings released today by Mercer indicate that...
Employers take variety of initiatives to alleviate impact of higher gasoline prices on employees
26 August 2008Organizations are taking a variety of creative steps to help their employees offset the high cost of gasoline. In addition to helping to organize employee ride-sharing and carpooling programs, US companies are supporting increased use of...
Mercer's M&A Ready 2008: M&A workshop provides HR leaders with global knowledge and practical skills
21 August 2008Human Resource executives and other professionals responsible for the human capital aspects of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals should mark their calendars for Mercer's M&A Ready 2008 workshop series, being held October 15-16 at the University of...
Base pay expected to rise more slowly in 2009 than 2008, even among high-performing industries
14 August 2008In light of rising gas and food prices, and a bleak economic outlook, salary increases will remain flat for most employees this year. According to the 2008/2009 US Compensation Planning Survey from Mercer, US employers plan to award average pay...
Institutional plans post negative second-quarter returns
14 August 2008The median corporate, public and foundation/endowment plan experienced negative investment results for the second quarter of 2008, according to a quarterly survey of plan sponsor performance conducted by Mercer.
Mercer's Michael Klachefsky receives award from Disability Management Employer Coalition
12 August 2008Michael J. Klachefsky, who leads Mercer's national absence management practice, has been recognized by the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC). He received the organization's annual partnership award at the opening ceremonies of its 13th...
One-fourth of plan sponsors dissatisfied with level of 401 (k) fee disclosure, according to Mercer
8 August 2008One-fourth of defined contribution plan sponsors surveyed by Mercer are not fully confident that the fees and expenses associated with their 401 (k) plans have been properly disclosed.
Broad equity markets post losses for the second quarter
1 August 2008Broad equity markets post losses for the second quarter