Towers Perrin - Thought Leadership

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 firm’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 Perrin’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) magazine’s 2009 "Women to Watch".

Retirement Age Back in the Spotlight

5 Nov 2009

Speaking to the Conservative party conference, Osborne confirmed the party’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 “no increase will happen until the second half of the next decade – 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.

Assessing Sales Compensation Effectiveness

29 Oct 2009

This sales support tool provides a brief overview of the key features and benefits of Towers Perrin’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.

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 reinsurers’ 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 world’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.

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

19 Oct 2009

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

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 José 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 plans’ funded status.

Pensions and Corporate Financial Performance -- Intricately Linked

9 Oct 2009

For finance executives and other plan sponsors, it is a dynamic challenge to manage defined benefit pension plans in the context of overall company financial performance. The challenge has been magnified by the extended financial crisis.

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.

A Tipping Point for Talent Management?

30 Sep 2009

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

Options to the Traditional 401(k) Match

30 Sep 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 – reengineer their strategies to make their employees’ retirement objectives more achievable, focus more on health care needs, and attract and retain the best people.

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

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. What’s more, fully 97% of employees consider Cisco’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 – 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 nation’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 Perrin’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 country’s economy still battling to pull out of a recession, directors on the boards of America’s largest companies in 2008 realized modest changes in their annual compensation packages.

Webcast Series: Back to the Future – 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 firm’s latest Capital Market Update (CMU).

Employees Question Sustainabilty Of Recession Driven “Lean & Mean” 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 Perrin’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 quarter’s analysis agreed that their company’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 firm’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 meting.

Directors and Officers Liability Survey — 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 (“Jupiter Saturn”), 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 country’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 MoSes™ interface to Microsoft’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 ‘cash’ not ‘cash’?

1 Sep 2009

Funds called ‘Cash’, ‘Deposit’ or, in Standard Life’s case, ‘Sterling’ 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 Perrin’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.

Economic Climate Adversely Affecting Life Insurers' Financial Performance, According to Towers Perrin Study

17 Aug 2009

The sluggish economy is negatively impacting insurers’ financial performance and altering their investment and product strategies -- particularly around asset/liability management (ALM) and hedging for variable annuities (VA) -- according to data from the latest Towers Perrin survey, ALM and Hedging in Light of the Economic Crisis.

Towers Perrin Boosts London Reinsurance Brokerage Operation With Appointment of Derek Keating as U.S. Property Specialist

17 Aug 2009

Strengthening its presence in the US property reinsurance market, Towers Perrin has named Derek Keating as an executive director of its London reinsurance brokerage business.

CFO Survey #23: The Economic Crisis -- How Has Hedging Changed?

14 Aug 2009

A Towers Perrin survey of life insurance CFOs finds that although hedging programs have held up well in light of the recent financial crisis, recent economic events have impacted asset and liability positions at U.S. insurers.

Governance and Compliance Advisory Update: August 2009

14 Aug 2009

In July, key decisions and rulings prompted significant activity in executive compensation, retirement, welfare and other benefits.

HR Service Delivery: Leading the Charge, Driving Change

14 Aug 2009

While cost has taken on greater importance as a service delivery issue, technology spending is not the target of cost saving efforts at most companies.

Can Web 2.0 Enhance HR Service Delivery?

13 Aug 2009

Leading organizations are finding that Web 2.0 can support HR program delivery and, perhaps most important, help step up employee engagement levels.

Companies Continue to Step Up Use of Employee and Manager HR Self-Service Functions

13 Aug 2009

Self-service remains a critical pillar of HR service delivery, continuing to grow in use for both broad-scale efforts and smaller, more targeted programs.

Emerging Solutions in the U.S.: Investing in Annuities — Why now, What next?

13 Aug 2009

The current global recession has raised awareness of the risk inherent in sponsoring a defined benefit pension plan. New insurance solutions, so-called “buy-in” strategies, have been developed in the U.K. and are now emerging in the U.S. to address the challenges facing plan sponsors. This white paper reviews the key features of these products, as they are being written in the U.K. today, and discusses the opportunities and challenges for applying these solutions to U.S. pension plans.

Has the Financial Crisis Shifted HR's Priorities?

13 Aug 2009

Most organizations are continuing to invest in HR technology, and there remains a widespread interest in technologies that support talent and performance management.

Shared Services and HR Outsourcing: Similar Goals, Different Approaches

13 Aug 2009

Cost savings. Improved service quality. Elimination of HR administrative tasks. Most organizations are striving for at least one of these. How should a company get there — shared services or outsourcing?

Towers Perrin Pension Index Up Slightly in July

12 Aug 2009

The impact of July’s robust portfolio returns was tempered by a significant decline in bond yields. As a result, the Towers Perrin Pension Index moved up by 1.0% for the month, to 67.6, according to the global professional services firm’s latest Capital Market Update (CMU).

BA Trustees Trade Contingent Assets For a Stronger Covenant

4 Aug 2009

The difficulties facing trustees where the employers have cash flow difficulties is illustrated by the latest developments at BA. It is reported that the company has taken back control of a £330m guaranteed line of bank credit previously given to its pension funds three years ago as a contingent asset against the airline collapsing into future bankruptcy.

Recorded ASHHRA Webcast: Optimizing Rewards for Business Results and Greater Employee Engagement

4 Aug 2009

Mr. Grubb and Mr. Parmenter discuss shaping today's "employment deal," the role of total rewards and honing program management for top efficiency.

RSA Continues Path of De-Risking by Completing Synthetic 'Buy-In'

4 Aug 2009

This structure of the transaction was innovative and much bigger than any other deal done with an insurer or bank. It shows that the de-risking market is far from dead.

A Bright Future: The UK Insurance Industry Envisioned for 2020

3 Aug 2009

The Insurance Industry Working Group (IIWG) articulates a vision of the UK as the future global leader of the insurance industry. IIWG includes Towers Perrin’s Steve Taylor-Gooby interviewed by CNBC.

Global News Brief: Australia

3 Aug 2009

The Australian government has decided to reduce tax breaks on superannuation (pension) and other employee benefits.

Global News Brief: France

3 Aug 2009

After being amended and postponed numerous times, a major new benefit agreement between French unions and employer organizations is now in force to assist workers who lose their jobs.

Global News Brief: Taiwan

3 Aug 2009

The Taiwanese government has amended the Labor Standards Law (LSL) to allow employees participating in defined benefit pension plans to retire at age 60, provided they have 10 years of service with their employer.

Pension Risk: New Problems Require New Thinking

3 Aug 2009

Towers Perrin’s Retirement Risk Solutions practice closely monitors the global economic situation and its effect on pension plans. This white paper chronicles the impact of the financial crisis on pension funded status, reports on the use of valuable risk management techniques and offers guidance to plan sponsors on how to move forward in these difficult times.

Catastrophe Bonds Evolve to Address Credit Risk Issues

31 Jul 2009

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.

On-demand Webcast: Optimizing HR Service Delivery for Today's Economy

31 Jul 2009

In this on-demand Webcast, HR function effectiveness and technology specialists Tom Keebler and Robert Zampetti review and interpret the results of Towers Perrin's HR service delivery research.

Standard & Poor’s Proceeding With ERM Ratings Analysis

31 Jul 2009

Although the groundwork has taken longer than expected, Standard & Poor’s remains committed to integrating enterprise risk management (ERM) into its rating process for non-financial corporations.

Despite Impact of Economic Downturn on Companies' Pension Plans And Financials – Canadian Organizations Cautiously Optimistic

29 Jul 2009

Despite reeling from the financial impact of the economic downturn on company pension plans and their businesses, Canadian organizations remain cautiously optimistic on the financial viability of their defined benefit plans (DB) plans, with 71% of finance executives committed to maintaining the long-term viability of plans and 86% who feel confident they have adequate cash to fund their plans for the next two years, according to the third CFO Research Services study conducted in conjunction with professional services firm Towers Perrin.

Update on Claim Technology and Applications

29 Jul 2009

A Towers Perrin report provides new information on how property & casualty claim officers are using technology to support core claim-handling operations.

P&C Claim Officers Say to Expect Technology Investments Over the Next Two Years; Customer Experience Seen As Key Driver, According to Towers Perrin Survey

28 Jul 2009

The vast majority of claim officers (92%) for U.S. property & casualty insurers said they plan on making investments in technology over the next two years, and indicated the primary driver of these capital expenditures is ensuring their customers' satisfaction, according to a survey conducted by global professional services firm Towers Perrin.

Employee Reward Portals

27 Jul 2009

Communicating the value of your package to employees has never been as important as it is now. This interactive demo on "Employee Reward Portals" shows how you can effectively communicate with every individual in your organisation.

Despite Financial Crisis, Finance Executives Remain Committed to Defined Benefit Plans

20 Jul 2009

Towers Perrin and CFO Research Services have completed their third annual survey of finance executives on pension risk issues.

Towers Perrin Pension Index Declines in June

20 Jul 2009

Moderate portfolio returns and a decline in bond yields combined to push the funded status of the typical U.S. pension plan down 4.0% in June, as measured by the Towers Perrin Pension Index, according to the global professional services firm’s latest Capital Market Update (CMU).

Governance and Compliance Advisory Update: July 2009

15 Jul 2009

In July, legislation introduced in the House focused on protecting participants in defined contribution plans by encouraging plans to offer (and participants to elect) lifetime annuity payments when they retire, and by introducing a fee disclosure bill.

Recorded Webcast: Articulating Risk for Everyday ERM

15 Jul 2009

This webcast explores the challenges that have prevented a wider embracing of this aspect of ERM, as well as solutions to ensure that your company’s ERM program is supported by the strong foundation of a clearly articulated risk appetite statement.

Companies Get a Lift From Post-Lehman Deals

9 Jul 2009

According to a study by Towers Perrin and the Cass Business School in London, companies that completed mergers or acquisitions since the beginning of the downturn outperformed their non-acquisitive peers.

Most Sponsors of Defined Benefit Pension Plans Remain Committed to Plan Viability Despite Tough Economic Climate, According to Towers Perrin/CFO Research Study

9 Jul 2009

While the financial crisis has negatively affected the financial health of most defined benefit (DB) plans, most executives of U.S. firms with DB plans remain committed to the financial viability of their plans, according to the third CFO Research Services study conducted in conjunction with professional services firm Towers Perrin.

Recorded UK Webcast -- Pensions Risk - A Finance and HR Perspective

9 Jul 2009

This webcast discusses the key findings of the Towers Perrin 3rd annual CFO Pension Risk survey and how the findings may impact CFOs as well as putting these into context for HR and pensions professionals.

Global News Brief: United Arab Emirates

7 Jul 2009

Employers operating in Dubai will have additional time to comply with the requirements of a new government-backed health insurance plan for all employees.

Downturn Deals Help Companies Outperform the Market Overall

6 Jul 2009

Companies completing deals after Lehman collapse outperform peers by 6.3% globally.