Towers Perrin - Thought Leadership

Catastrophe Bonds Evolve to Address Credit Risk Issues

24 May 2010

Towers Perrin clarifies causes of recent failures of catastrophe bonds to protect investors and describes what can be done to restore market confidence and protect assets going forward.

Perspectives: Employee Well-Being --Taking Engagement and Performance to the Next Level

9 Feb 2010

This Perspectives article discusses the critical link between employees' level of well-being and engagement.

Perspectives: Value-Based Strategies Drive Down Costs by Improving Quality of Care

28 Dec 2009

This issue of our 2009 Perspectives series looks at how companies are working to address the disconnects between health care spending and results by assessing the varied needs of their employee populations and tailoring value-based strategies to address them.

Alternatives to the Traditional 401(k) Match

24 Dec 2009

Companies looking ahead to how they will restructure their reward programs in a recovering economy will no doubt be asking some tough questions about their 401(k) plans. One option is more challenging but also more intriguing â€“ reengineer their strategies to make their employeesâ€™ retirement objectives more achievable, focus more on health care needs, and attract and retain the best people.

Pension Plans After the Meltdown

24 Dec 2009

Defined benefit pension plans are caught in a period of significant volatility that requires sponsors to better understand investment and cash flow implications while rethinking plan design.

Assessing Sales Compensation Effectiveness

23 Dec 2009

This sales support tool provides a brief overview of the key features and benefits of Towers Watsonâ€™s approach to assessing sales compensation programs, which helps companies ask all of the right questions and gather robust, actionable data about the impact and cost of their sales incentives to make sound decisions about program design, calibration and administration.

Positioning for M&A Success: Putting People Into the Equation

21 Dec 2009

This participant survey report reports the findings of the fifth in a series of HCG Pulse Surveys to be conducted in 2009, which assesses HR's role in achieving M&A success and the specific skill sets required of HR in order to contribute most effectively during a merger or acquisition.

Towers Perrin/Watson Wyatt Announce Shareholder Approval of Merger

21 Dec 2009

Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. and Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: WW), both leading global consulting firms, announced that at their respective special meetings of shareholders, each held earlier today, their shareholders adopted the merger agreement pursuant to which the companies will combine their businesses.

Governance and Compliance Advisory Update: December 2009

20 Dec 2009

November saw significant regulatory activity by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor (DOL).

Recorded Webcast: What Does the Consultation on the 2011 Pensions Tax Changes Reveal?

20 Dec 2009

This year's pre-Budget report will be published on Wednesday 9 December and the consultation paper promised covering the 2011 pension tax reforms is widely expected to be issued alongside this.

Emphasis on People Factors Positively Impacts Success of Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions

17 Dec 2009

How companies approach people issues in a merger or acquisition has a far greater impact on aspects of a deal's success than many would expect, according to new research released today from Towers Perrin.

Emphasis on people factors positively impacts success of corporate mergers and acquisitions, according to Towers Perrin research

16 Dec 2009

How companies approach people issues in a merger or acquisition has a far greater impact on aspects of a dealâ€™s success than many would expect, according to new research released today from Towers Perrin.

Despite Volatile Economic Climate, U.S. Tort Costs Up Slightly in 2008, According to Towers Perrin Study

15 Dec 2009

Tort costs in the United States rose by $2.7 billion (1.1%) in 2008, according to the 2009 Update on U.S. Tort Cost Trends from global professional services firm Towers Perrin.

Companies Turn to Outsourcing to Improve HR Service Delivery

14 Dec 2009

Cost savings and reducing administrative burdens are still important drivers of outsourcing decisions, but improved HR service quality has emerged a close third, reflecting renewed focus on the employee experience.

Financial Modelling Update: EU/Asia-Pacific Edition â€“ Issue 14 / December 2009

14 Dec 2009

As the new year approaches, the implications of Solvency II for insurance company financial modellers are detailed; also in the spotlight â€“ scheduling files; plus other news.

Global News Brief: India

14 Dec 2009

A major provision of Indiaâ€™s Finance Act 2009, enacted in August, is the abolition of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on employers. The provision lifts the tax liability from the employer and places it on employees, who will now be taxed on these perquisites as a benefit-in-kind.

Global News Brief: Japan

14 Dec 2009

The growth in defined contribution (DC) pension plans in Japan continues, with recent figures showing that, as of July 2009, over 3.3 million employees were covered under employer-provided DC plans.

Financial Leaders Point to Importance of People Priorities in Merger Success

13 Dec 2009

Companies with a track record of effectively managing people-related issues during an acquisition are far more likely to have a very successful deal. This is the conclusion of a recent study by the Canadian Financial Executives Research Foundation (CFERF, the research institute of FEI Canada, the professional membership association for senior financial leaders), and sponsored by Towers Perrin.

Spotlight on Retiree Medical Affordability and Access Concerns

13 Dec 2009

While health care reform initiatives cloud the retiree medical picture, one thing is clear: Pre-65 retirees face the most severe financial burden as total annual family coverage costs approach $20,000.

Is Your Company Prepared to Manage Future Talent Needs?

13 Dec 2009

Following a year of streamlining, downsizing and restructuring, organizations are faced with tough questions â€” and a lot of complex choices about how to retool for recovery and growth.

U.S. Tort Costs Up Slightly in 2008; Long-Term Increases Anticipated

12 Dec 2009

Anticipated growth in U.S. tort costs to range from 2% to 6% in 2010, and a similar increase in 2011.

After Nearly Five Years of Steady Decline, Commercial P&C Insurance Prices Are Essentially Flat For the Second Straight Quarter, According to Towers Perrin Survey

9 Dec 2009

Helped by firming prices in property and specialty lines such as directors and officers liability (D&O), commercial insurance prices increased slightly (0.3%) during the third quarter of 2009 -- representing the second consecutive quarter-to-quarter modest increase after nearly five years of steady decreases -- according to Towers Perrinâ€™s most recent Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS).

Towers Perrin Pension Index Rises in November

9 Dec 2009

November was characterized by strong equity returns, the effects of which were partially offset by a decline in corporate bond yields. The net result was a 1.6% increase in the Towers Perrin Pension Index to 68.5, according to the global professional services firmâ€™s latest Capital Market Update.

Outlook for UK Employee Compensation Improves, but Employers Still Cautious in 2010, Says Towers Perrin

7 Dec 2009

While 2009 was the year of the pay freeze, 2010 is likely to see a slight thaw in how UK companies manage compensation. Research released today by global professional services firm, Towers Perrin, finds that the economic uncertainty which resulted in pay freezes, cuts and job losses at UK companies in 2009 has been replaced by greater confidence in the outlook for next year.

Towers Perrin on TV: CNBC Interview Explores UK Pension Schemes

7 Dec 2009

Peter Routledge, Head of our UK Retirement and Benefits practice, discusses the factors influencing UK pension schemes and their deficits on CNBC Europe's morning 'Squawk Box'.

Compensation Outlook Improving, but Canadians Won't Make Up Lost Ground From 2009 Just Yet, Says Towers Perrin Study

6 Dec 2009

Canadian companies took even more severe measures than originally planned for 2009, with hiring freezes, salary freezes, and a range of other measures designed to manage expenses in line with dramatically reduced revenue, and their outlook for 2010 can best be described as "cautiously optimistic".

Compensation Trends Improving, but Employees Won't Make Up Lost Ground From 2009, Just Yet, Says Towers Perrin Study

6 Dec 2009

Salaries will be on the rise in 2010 at many companies across the U.S., according to recent research from Towers Perrin. This is a significant shift from the lockdown many organizations placed on compensation budgets during 2009. In fact, 65% of companies that froze salary budgets in 2009 will unfreeze them in 2010.

Towers Perrin/Watson Wyatt Merger Cleared by European Commission

4 Dec 2009

Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. and Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: WW), both leading global consulting firms, today announced that they have been granted conditional clearance from the European Commission to allow the Parties to proceed with their merger to form Towers Watson & Co. U.S. antitrust authorities previously cleared the transaction.

Pre-budget Webcast

3 Dec 2009

This yearâ€™s pre-Budget report will be published on Wednesday 9 December and the consultation paper promised covering the 2011 pension tax reforms is widely expected to be issued alongside this.

Regulator softens stance on longer recovery plans

3 Dec 2009

The Pensions Regulator is taking a softer line on recovery plans that exceed its ten-year trigger. Its latest analysis of recovery plans finds weighted average recovery plan length has grown to 8.2 years for the most recent group of schemes issuing their first recovery plans following a scheme-specific valuation.

Employment Market to Stay Tight in 2010 Despite Modest Plans to Unfreeze or Increase Hiring, Says Towers Perrin Research

3 Dec 2009

Despite signs of modest recovery in the broader economy, many employers plan to maintain a conservative stance well into 2010, with 31% of those polled in a recent Towers Perrin survey indicating they plan to reduce head count on a targeted basis in the coming year and another 6% planning for a significant reduction in staff.

Towers Perrin Predictive Modeling Benchmarking Survey

2 Dec 2009

Towers Perrin asked 90 U.S. property & casualty insurance executives from 81 carriers to document their perspectives on how predictive modeling is being used to support rating/pricing and underwriting/risk selection plans at their companies.

The Financial Crisis and the Captive Industry

30 Nov 2009

Captives are uniquely positioned to help their parent organization manage through the current financial crisis and beyond.

As Credit Woes Ease, Cash Flow and Pension Plan Volatility Are Among Top Finance Executives' Concerns, According to Towers Perrin Survey

29 Nov 2009

While the worst of the financial crisis's impact on their firms may be behind them, most finance executives remain concerned about several financial and risk management issues, most notably cash and cash flow, and defined benefit (DB) pension plan volatility, according to a recent survey conducted by global professional services firm Towers Perrin.

Towers Perrin's 2010 Retiree Health Care Cost Survey Shows Continuing Affordability and Access Concerns

18 Nov 2009

Driven by a prolonged economic recession and already high health care benefit costs for active employees, large U.S. employers are continuing to shift significant health coverage costs to retirees or exiting sponsored retiree health benefit programs altogether, according to Towers Perrinâ€™s 2010 Retiree Health Care Cost Survey.

Financial Crisis Survey #2: "It ain't over 'til it's over"

15 Nov 2009

Financial executives will be preoccupied with cash and cash flow well into 2010. Strategy and risk management are getting more attention, while pension plan volatility and operational risk defy solution.

Governance and Compliance Advisory Update: November 2009

15 Nov 2009

October saw significant activity with respect to retirement, executive compensation, welfare and other benefit legislation, regulations and rulings.

CFO Survey #24: Continued Skepticism Over IFRS and Market-Consistent Financial Reporting, and More Work Needed in Implementation of U.S. Principle-Based Regulations

11 Nov 2009

Has the financial crisis impacted companiesâ€™ views on IFRS and market-consistent financial reporting? How are companies progressing with implementation of U.S. principle-based regulations? Find the answers in Towers Perrinâ€™s CFO Survey #24.

Spotlight on Financial Risk Intelligence

11 Nov 2009

Towers Perrin and CSC have joined together to provide an enterprise approach to improved data management processes for financial risk management and reporting.

Towers Perrin Pension Index Has Marginal Uptick in October

11 Nov 2009

In a reversal of the recent trend, corporate bond yields ticked up in October while equity values suffered a decline. The resulting falloff in both asset and liability values translated to a slight 0.1% increase in the Towers Perrin Pension Index, to 67.4, according to the global professional services firmâ€™s latest Capital Market Update.

Predictive Modeling for P&C Personal Lines Products Paves the Way for Commercial Lines, According to Towers Perrin Survey

10 Nov 2009

When it comes to using sophisticated predictive modeling techniques to price products more accurately, more than three-quarters (76%) of personal lines carriers said they view the tool as essential, according to findings from global professional services firm Towers Perrinâ€™s inaugural predictive modeling survey.

Canadian Companies Poorly Prepared to Manage Future Talent Needs, Says Towers Perrin Study

10 Nov 2009

Sixty-three percent of Canadian executives agree that having talent management processes closely linked to business strategy is critical to help an organization achieve its goals, according to a recent survey by Towers Perrin.

Companies Ill Prepared to Manage Future Talent Needs, Says Towers Perrin Survey

9 Nov 2009

Seventy-three percent of executives agree that talent management processes closely linked to business strategy are critical in helping an organization achieve its goals, according to a recent survey by Towers Perrin.

Business Insurance Names Tricia Guinn One of Its "2009 Women to Watch"

5 Nov 2009

Tricia Guinn, Managing Director of Towers Perrin's Risk and Financial Services (RFS) business segment, has been named as one of Business Insurance (BI) magazineâ€™s 2009 "Women to Watch".

Retirement Age Back in the Spotlight

5 Nov 2009

Speaking to the Conservative party conference, Osborne confirmed the partyâ€™s commitment to raising the basic State pension in line with earnings, but said that this would be funded by increasing the SPA and that â€œno increase will happen until the second half of the next decade â€“ in the Parliament after next.

Who Sets the Technical Provisions?

5 Nov 2009

A dilemma at the heart of the Pensions Regulator is the extent to which it has the power to influence just how much money a pension fund has in its coffers. The watchdog is caught between the statutory obligation to safeguard member benefits and the limits of its ability to make judgments or directions on appropriate levels of scheme funding.

Defined Benefit Pensions: Stellar Investment Performance May Not Translate to Improved Canadian Corporate Financial Results for 2010, Says Towers Perrin

4 Nov 2009

Better investment returns in the third quarter of 2009 have improved funding ratios for defined benefit pension plans, according to Towers Perrin, but this should not lull companies into believing that their deficit troubles are behind them.

More Companies Turning to HR Outsourcing to Improve Service Quality

4 Nov 2009

In a time of increased scrutiny on budgets and heightened focus on efficiency, human resource (HR) departments continue turning to strategic outsourcing arrangements to maximize cost-saving opportunities and reduce the burden of noncritical activities.

Update: Revised MCEV Principles Include Liquidity Premium

2 Nov 2009

While welcoming a liquidity premium in market-consistent valuation, this Towers Perrin Update underscores the need for further guidance on calibration for successful implementation.

Consistent Performance Measurement

1 Nov 2009

Consistent Performance Measurement is an essential part of both embedding enterprise risk management (ERM) and demonstrating its value.

The Use of Derivatives in LDI: Past, Present, Future

30 Oct 2009

The recent financial crisis, and the tumultuous last quarter of 2008, in particular, have forced many pension plans to reconsider their investment strategy. Among them are plan sponsors that had committed to using liability driven investment (LDI) strategies.

Captives and Employee Benefits: The Insider's Perspective

29 Oct 2009

In this fifth installment of our series on captives and employee benefits, this compendium of articles provides a window into success stories of how captives at The Coca-Cola Company, Deutsche DHL Net and General Motors have been put to work with great effect.

Towers Perrin Appoints Steve Levene as Practice Leader for its Retail Insurance Brokerage Business

26 Oct 2009

Global professional services firm Towers Perrin has named Steve Levene practice leader for its retail insurance brokerage business.

Are Your Ready for Your Next M&A?

23 Oct 2009

This Workspan article takes a look into the pivotal role HR plays in an M&A transaction.

Inflation a Threat for Reinsurance Industry, Warns Towers Perrin

23 Oct 2009

Future inflation may damage reinsurersâ€™ profitability on all lines of business, with casualty lines of business likely to be hardest hit, according to global professional services firm Towers Perrin, the worldâ€™s fourth largest reinsurance intermediary.

Global Deal Performance Disappointing in Third Quarter

22 Oct 2009

Recent analysis conducted by Towers Perrin and the Cass Business School in London underscores the market's volatility as well as the gap between perception and reality in this area.

Global News Brief: United Kingdom

21 Oct 2009

Following finalization of the Code of Practice, the U.K. Pensions Regulator now has extended powers (under the Pensions Act of 2008) to ensure that companies do not avoid their pension plan obligations.

CSC and Towers Perrin Offer Financial Risk Intelligence Solution to Life Insurance and Annuity Market

20 Oct 2009

CSC (NYSE: CSC) and global professional services firm Towers Perrin today announced the availability of Financial Risk Intelligence, a new offering to streamline financial risk and capital management analytics for U.S. life insurance and annuity enterprises.

As Cost Tops Health Care Concerns, Employers Reject Higher Expenditure for Reform

19 Oct 2009

Employers carefully watching Congress say they will not absorb additional costs resulting from health care reform.

Compensation for Corporate Directors Rose Modestly in 2008

19 Oct 2009

Annual Towers Perrin research shows that director pay continues to rise, but at a slower pace than in previous years.

Employees Perceive "Lean and Mean" Corporate Model as Less Efficient

19 Oct 2009

Employee engagement and morale remain high despite cost-cutting and head-count reduction measures, yet employees perceive their organizations as less efficient.

Governance and Compliance Advisory Update: October 2009

15 Oct 2009

September saw an increase in significant retirement plan regulatory activity.

Global Deal Performance Disappoints in Third Quarter

14 Oct 2009

Companies that completed deals during the third quarter of 2009, when the MSCI World Index reported a 13.5% return for the quarter, lagged the performance of their deal-avoiding peers by 2.8%, according to data from the first Towers Perrin Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor.

Insurance Pricing Best Practices and Trends: An Interview with JosÃ© Moreno Codina, Principal, Towers Perrin

14 Oct 2009

David Schapiro of The Optimalist Blog interviews Towers Perrin Principal Jose Moreno Codina on Insurance Pricing best Practices and Trends.

Evolving Compensation Strategies for an Uncertain Economy: The 2009/10 Global Compensation Planning Report

12 Oct 2009

Economic recovery presents a new set of talent and reward challenges for employers worldwide. Our 2009/10 Global Compensation Planning Report shows that, while salary budgets will remain tight, many companies plan modest increases for the coming year.

Towers Perrin Pension Index Up Slightly in September

12 Oct 2009

Continuing a recent short-term trend, strong portfolio returns in September were offset by the effects of a decline in corporate bond yields on pension plansâ€™ funded status.

CFO Guidebook: Pensions and Corporate Financial Performance â€• Intricately Linked

10 Oct 2009

Pensions and Corporate Financial Performance â€• Intricately Linked, a new Towers Perrin publication, helps financial executives gain insights into managing defined benefit pension plans in the context of their company's overall financial performance.

Criticism of DWP proposals

8 Oct 2009

The DWP's proposal of a three-year period for the first phase of auto-enrolment has attracted much criticism because it will fail to cover all employees until October 2015.

Regulator raises the stakes on assumptions

8 Oct 2009

With the scheme specific funding regime now in its second round of valuations, it has been interesting to observe the evolution in the Pensions Regulator's responses to the more recent valuation reports and recovery plans.

Towers Perrin Health Care Cost Survey Shows Employer-Sponsored Medical Benefit Costs to Rise 7% to Over $10,000 for the First Time

8 Oct 2009

Against a backdrop of prolonged recession, U.S. employers will see an increase in their medical benefit expenditures of 7% in 2010. The cumulative effect of ongoing cost increases combined with the current economic climate are creating significant affordability challenges for both employers and employees, according to new data from Towers Perrin.

The Heart of the Deal: Creating the Right Culture and Leadership in a Merger

6 Oct 2009

This white paper explores what it means to build an integrated culture and effective leadership team that supports your merger or acquisition's strategic priorities.

Recorded Webcast: Align Leaders and Cultural Change to Drive Business Performance in Merged Organizations

1 Oct 2009

This recorded webcast to explore what it means to build an integrated culture and effective leadership team that supports your merger or acquisition's strategic priorities.

The Conference Board's 2010 Employee Health Care Conference Sponsored by Towers Perrin

1 Oct 2009

Attend the 2010 Employee Health Care Conference and learn how to use the coming change as a catalyst to drive health, productivity and engagement in your workforce.

Reactions Magazine Names Towers Perrin Best Mid-sized Global Reinsurance Broker

29 Sep 2009

Towers Perrin was named "Best Mid-sized Reinsurance Broker" by Reactions magazine, one of the leading global publications covering the insurance and reinsurance industry.

TRACS: The Road to Successful Captive Management

28 Sep 2009

PLEASE NOTE: This item was published prior to January 1, 2009 and should no longer be used in client situations. Please check with your marketing contact before using this material. Captives are created to serve their owner-policyholders. Traditional insurance solvency and ratio standards may not apply to them. Towers Perrin Recommended and Accepted Captive Standards (TRACS) was developed to help captives prudently manage and benchmark their operation.

Cisco Systems Links High Touch With Hi Tech to Engage Employees in Their Health

23 Sep 2009

Since 2007, Cisco has garnered an estimated $37 million in annual savings from reduced medical claims and increased productivity. Whatâ€™s more, fully 97% of employees consider Ciscoâ€™s online health programs valuable in helping them make significant lifestyle changes, such as improving their diet and reducing stress. In our August 2009 Perspectives, find out how Cisco married high tough with hi tech to achieve these impressive results.

Update: Aviva Transfers Longevity Risk to the Capital Markets

22 Sep 2009

A welcome development for pension fund sponsors? Towers Perrin analyzes the structure, benefits and implications for the insurance industry of Aviva's recent longevity risk swap to the capital markets

Closing the Engagement Gap â€“ A Road Map for Driving Superior Business Performance

21 Sep 2009

Defines the "engagement gap" and outlines the challenge employers face as they attempt to close it. Also discusses the global driver of attraction, retention and engagement as defined by the Towers Perrin Global Workforce Study.

Employers Put Costs at the Top of Health Care Reform Priority List

17 Sep 2009

With health care reform efforts ramping up after the summer break, many of the nationâ€™s employers are focusing on the action in Congress and plan to adjust their benefit strategies based on how final legislation affects their costs, according to a survey of 433 HR and benefit executives from midsize and large organizations conducted by professional services firm Towers Perrin.

Governance and Compliance Advisory Update: September 2009

17 Sep 2009

In typical August fashion, legislative, regulatory and other guidance was minimal. Most of these developments relate to health and welfare plans, particularly IRS guidance on over-the-counter items for FSAs.

Sales Force Rewards for Performance

17 Sep 2009

Towers Perrinâ€™s Sales Force Rewards practices assists clients with the design and implementation of incentive compensation programs for individual sales representatives, managers and sales leadership.

Compensation for Corporate Directors Rises Modestly in 2008

16 Sep 2009

With the countryâ€™s economy still battling to pull out of a recession, directors on the boards of Americaâ€™s largest companies in 2008 realized modest changes in their annual compensation packages.

Webcast Series: Back to the Future â€“ Defining Tomorrow's Workforce Agenda Today

16 Sep 2009

This complimentary five-part Webcast series addresses the critical talent and financial challenges organizations face as they prepare for economic recovery. Hear top experts discuss key workforce and rewards issues and get answers to your most pressing questions.

What's Next for 401(k) Plans?

16 Sep 2009

A Towers Perrin white paper explores new strategic options for sponsors of 401(k) plans.

Towers Perrin Pension Index Slides in August

14 Sep 2009

Strong portfolio returns could not offset a large decline in corporate bond yields in August, pushing the Towers Perrin Pension Index down 1.0%, to 66.9, according to the global professional services firmâ€™s latest Capital Market Update (CMU).

Employees Question Sustainabilty Of Recession Driven â€œLean & Meanâ€ Corporate Model, Concludes Towers Perrin Analysis

11 Sep 2009

While many organizations took aggressive action to reduce costs and improve efficiency during the recession, these gains may be at risk, according to Towers Perrinâ€™s Workplace Watch, a quarterly review of employee opinions across large global organizations. A first quarter spike in positive perceptions of corporate efficiency dropped noticeably in the second quarter: Only 58% of the more than 610,000 employee responses included in the second quarterâ€™s analysis agreed that their companyâ€™s current structure facilitates efficient operations, a decline of 16 percentage points in just three months. Furthermore, the percentage of those who believe their organization continually works to ensure processes are as efficient as possible dropped to 73% from a high of 81% just last quarter.

Towers Perrin Appoints James Doona and Rick Miller Senior Vice Presidents for TPCM, Inc.

10 Sep 2009

Expanding the breadth and depth of its capital market expertise and solutions offerings, Towers Perrin has named James Doona and Rick Miller senior vice presidents for Towers Perrin Capital Markets (TPCM) Inc., the global professional services firmâ€™s U.S.-based broker-dealer.

Global News Brief: Canada

8 Sep 2009

Employers sponsoring hybrid pension plans won a major victory in a long-awaited decision by the Supreme Court of Canada allowing the use of surplus assets to fund the defi ned contribution (DC) portion of their plans.

Global News Brief: Germany

8 Sep 2009

Germany's pension insurer, known as the PSV, has announced that its 2009 premium rates will increase dramatically, and a similar increase is widely anticipated in 2010.

Global News Brief: United Kingdom

8 Sep 2009

In a recent landmark ruling, the U.K. Court of Appeal overturned a High Court decision that would have had serious cost implications for some U.K. pension plans.

Towers Perrin Acknowledges Its Insurance Consultants With James C. H. Anderson and Geoff Westall Awards

8 Sep 2009

These awards recognize innovation, thought leadership, and business leadership within the Tillinghast business.

Towers Perrin Analysis Finds Employees Question Sustainability of Corporate Efficiency Gains

8 Sep 2009

While many organizations took aggressive action to reduce costs and improve efficiency during the recession, these gains may be at risk, according to Towers Perrin's Workplace Watch, a quarterly review of employee opinions across large global organizations.

Financial Modeling Update: Americas Edition, Issue 10

4 Sep 2009

In this issue, we provide a tutorial on MoSes submodels, introduce the RiskAgility EC application for quickly aggregating and allocating economic capital, recap recent software release enhancements and announce our 2009 user group meeting.

Directors and Officers Liability Survey â€” Side A Coverage Grows; Interest in IDL Coverage Slips

3 Sep 2009

Towers Perrin's Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Survey continues to track liability insurance purchasing trends, providing organizations with critical information on the structure and cost of D&O insurance programs.

Getting Ready for Higher Individual Tax Rates: Strategies for Executives to Consider Now

3 Sep 2009

Although the legislative tea leaves in Congress are notoriously hard to read with any kind of accuracy, many Washington observers are convinced that corporate executives and other high-income taxpayers will be paying higher taxes in coming years -- one way or another.

Towers Perrin 2009 Health Care 360 Performance Study for Hospitals

3 Sep 2009

This year, Towers Perrin is pleased to offer the Health Care 360 Performance study designed specifically for hospitals. It can supply critical strategic insights to control costs and improve overall plan performance.

Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt File Form S-4 as Part of Next Step in Creation of Towers Watson & Co.

3 Sep 2009

Jupiter Saturn Holding Company (â€œJupiter Saturnâ€), the new entity formed as part of the merger process between Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt, filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Prudential UK Chooses Towers Perrin Software to Centralise Its Financial Modelling

2 Sep 2009

Prudential UK, one of the countryâ€™s leading life and pension providers, and global professional services firm Towers Perrin, have announced a licensing agreement through which Prudential's insurance operations will utilise Towers Perrin's MoSesâ„¢ interface to Microsoftâ€™s high-performance computing (HPC) solution to centralise its financial modelling and risk management applications for its United Kingdom business.

Governance of DC arrangements

1 Sep 2009

The Pension Regulator has recently issued a statement reminding employers of the higher standards required for trust-based DC pension arrangements in terms of preretirement support to members.

When is â€˜cashâ€™ not â€˜cashâ€™?

1 Sep 2009

Funds called â€˜Cashâ€™, â€˜Depositâ€™ or, in Standard Lifeâ€™s case, â€˜Sterlingâ€™ funds were shown to be using the full range of available money markets products allowed within the definition of the money market sector as set down by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Sales Compensation in Crisis: Tough Times, Tough Decisions

21 Aug 2009

Come learn how an effective sales compensation plan and well-designed sales roles can help sustain revenues and maximize profits by keeping star sellers engaged and focused on high-margin activities.

Governance and Compliance: No Relief for Benefit Plan Sponsors

19 Aug 2009

Towers Perrinâ€™s Governance and Compliance Advisory group (GCA) can partner with you to help ensure that your company fulfills its fiduciary obligations and operates your benefit programs on a cost-effective basis.