We are pleased to welcome you to the September 2009 edition of Mercer's investment consulting e-news update.

European Investment Forum Paris

Event date: 8-9 December 2009

Global DC

15 September 2009

Defined contribution benefit plans occupy a significant and growing proportion of the global pension market. The defined contribution marketplace is complex and constantly changing to meet the retirement challenges of participants. Additionally, plans are under increasing scrutiny by regulatory agencies, governmental bodies, the legal community, the press and participants. Mercer believes that thought leadership is critical in helping sponsors navigate this environment successfully.

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Improving and regulating the alternative investments industry

25 August 2009

Mercer 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 "Improving and Regulating the Alternative Investments Industry" describes where improvement is needed, and the role industry initiatives, investor pressure and regulation should play in achieving and maintaining minimum standards across the industry.

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 Go to press release

Improving Target Date Lifecycle Funds

2 September 2009

In this paper, "Improving Target Date Funds", we provide some background on glide path construction, the philosophy behind the use of high- return/high-risk asset classes and challenge the assumptions used in current glide path development.

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Investment strategies review

8 September 2009

Welcome to the 'Investment Strategies Review' series of programmes in conjunction with Asset TV. There will be a total of four programmes. Watch the programmes to see Senior Mercer Investment Consulting staff give their views on current topic areas of interest.

Access the latest in this series of programmes to hear from Jon Exley, principal of Mercer's financial strategy group, on Risk Management in difficult markets.

Each Mercer representative will discuss their viewpoints and insights in to the topics.

 Watch Jon Exley presenting on risk management

 Go to further information on pension risk management

Managing trustee time and resources with implemented consulting

25 June 2009

Pension schemes’ investment arrangements are more complex than ever and the obligation placed upon trustees to demonstrate strong governance is becoming increasingly burdensome. Yet trustees possess only a limited amount of the time, resources and expertise it takes to manage their schemes effectively. Our clients tell us that they are often starved of the level of governance required to strategise, execute and monitor investment arrangements. They need precisely the sort of delegated solution provided by an implemented consulting partnership.

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Riders on the storm – The case for boutique fund managers

22 June 2009

Mercer is attracted to many of the features offered by a high quality, well-structured boutique fund manager. The current financial climate highlights some of the risks attached to smaller firms but David Scobie, a senior manager researcher at Mercer, says it does not remove the case for investing with a boutique.

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The art of delegation

25 June 2009

How delegation services can help trustees and what trustees must do to make the most of them.

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What the Hill? Changes in Washington and impacts for institutional investors

14 July 2009

Mercer takes a look at recent legislative/regulatory activity on Capitol Hill and discusses related opportunities for investors.

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Why consider ESG factors? The case for ESG integration

14 July 2009

Mercer explains why investment managers may benefit from considering ESG factors in their investment analysis and how they can go about integrating ESG factors into their decision-making processes.

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Throughout most of the world, Mercer Investment Consulting is an autonomous unit within Mercer Human Resource Consulting LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC). In the US, the investment consulting business is operated through Mercer Investment Consulting, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc., the US operating unit of Mercer Human Resource Consulting LLC.