Mercer launches European Wealth Management offering
5 November 2009Mercer has launched a range of services for European wealth managers, including private banks, family offices, fund platforms and insurance companies.
Pay freezes to end in 2010 but recession creates ‘new normal’ in staff rewards, says Mercer
5 November 2009New data issued by Mercer suggests that the trend for companies to freeze pay is unlikely to continue in 2010 as optimism about the economic recovery gathers pace.
Survey finds increasing trend to offer benefit choices to employees
22 October 2009More than four out of ten UK employers now give employees some form of choice in the benefits they receive, and a quarter of the remainder are also considering doing so, according to a survey by Mercer.
Mercer launches investment governance assessment service for trustees
21 October 2009Mercer has launched an investment governance assessment service to help trustees review their investment governance arrangements and compliance with the Myners principles.
Taxation of high earners – Mercer webcast
21 October 2009Mercer is holding a webcast on the implications of the Finance Act 2009 on high earners and employers.
Bulk annuity market increases over long term despite lower activity than in 2008
19 October 2009New data issued by Mercer shows that the UK insured bulk annuity market remains active in 2009 and is on a long-term upward curve, with pension plans likely to purchase more than £3bn of bulk annuities this year.
Mercer voted Global Investment Consultancy of the Year for the seventh consecutive year
16 October 2009Mercer’s investment consulting business has been named Global Investment Consultant of the Year at the Financial News 2009 Awards for Excellence in Institutional Asset Management.
New global pension index ranks UK system fifth, despite high integrity
15 October 2009The UK retirement income system is ranked fifth in a world first global pension index that compares 11 major private and public pension systems from around the world and rates them on the basis of adequacy, sustainability and integrity.
Employee statutory and public holiday entitlements – global comparisons
13 October 2009Employees in Europe receive the most generous statutory holiday allowances in the world according to data released by Mercer. However, taking public holidays into account, employees in Lithuania and Brazil have the potential to access the most time...
Government commitment to senior public sector pay freeze welcomed, but longer-term reform needed
12 October 2009Mercer has welcomed the government’s proposal to give senior public sector employees a one-year pay freeze.
Mercer appointed by Co-operative Pension Scheme for implemented consulting services
6 October 2009Mercer has been appointed by The Co-operative Group’s PACE pension scheme to provide implemented consulting services for the alternatives investments in the £5bn pension fund which will be phased in over two years to represent 13 percent of the...
Mercer opens state-of-the-art customer relations centre
5 October 2009Mercer has opened a new state-of-the-art customer relations centre to support members of its clients' pension schemes in the UK. The new centre, based in Chichester, will have extended operating hours, dedicated multi-skilled professionals and...
UK companies increase DC pension contributions despite downturn
5 October 2009Despite the recent economic downturn, average contributions to UK defined contribution (DC) pension schemes have increased by 1.5 percent over the last two years, according to a Mercer survey.
FTSE350 pension funding deficits increase despite equity market revival
2 October 2009FTSE 350 pension scheme funding deficits on a company accounting basis continue to increase despite the equity market revival, as credit spreads start to fall back from recent record highs.
Google appoints Mercer
2 October 2009Mercer has been appointed by Google as advisor for its employee benefits in the UK.
Mercer welcomes DWP’s extension of the staging process as ‘common sense’
28 September 2009Mercer has welcomed the announcement by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that the system of auto enrolment will be staged over three years following consultation with the pensions industry. However, the consultancy has also warned employers...
Five top tips to help companies manage their health and risk benefit costs
25 September 2009Mercer has highlighted five top tips that HR and benefits managers should consider to manage and reduce the cost of employee health and risk benefits in their organisations.
Trustees should demand STP for pension administration
24 September 2009Mercer has called on trustees to make straight-through processing (STP) a basic requirement of the administration of their defined contribution pension plans.
Changes to pensions debt offer small step forward
23 September 2009The government’s attempt to create a greater balance between legitimate corporate restructurings and protection of employees’ pensions is to be welcomed, says Mercer, but the effect of its proposals will be too limited to have a radical impact
Executive pay in the public sector needs coherent structure to be effective, says Mercer
23 September 2009The public sector needs a more coherent and transparent structure to decide executive pay in order to attract the best staff and provide value for money, claims Mercer.
Lindt & Sprüngli appoints Mercer
23 September 2009Mercer has been appointed by Lindt & Sprüngli as defined contribution (DC) pensions and risk benefits adviser to its UK and Ireland business.
Mercer welcomes the Pensions Quality Mark
22 September 2009Mercer has welcomed the NAPF’s newly launched pension quality mark (PQM) for defined contribution (DC) schemes, but remains cautious about its intended impact.
UK investment roadshow: investment challenges and opportunities
16 September 2009Mercer is holding a series of regional half-day seminars, focusing on the current investment market environment and exploring the options available to pension funds to confront today’s challenges
Trustees up the ante to safeguard schemes against corporate insolvencies
9 September 2009Trustees of pension schemes are taking a more pro-active and in-depth approach to reviewing their sponsoring employer’s covenant, according to Mercer.
Group risk insurers improve overall service levels but accuracy still a concern
7 September 2009Mercer’s bi-annual survey of service levels amongst group risk insurers has shown broad improvements in service but the industry average continues to be reduced by the underperformance of a select few insurers.