Mercer
Mercer Select Home
Contact Mercer Select
US Select Home
Top Stories

Senate committee examines 401(k) plan leakage

Concerns that the slowing economy may be causing more people to tap their retirement savings were aired at a recent Senate hearing. Mercer submitted written testimony on how countries around the world address the challenge of retirement plan leakage. (Select News, 23 Jul 2008) More   

Executive stock trading plans raise insider issues

Executives who trade company stock through 10b5-1 plans may face insider trading charges if the timing of stock sales or plan amendments suggests deliberate manipulation for profit. This is the message from a court order in a recent lawsuit. (GRIST, 23 Jul 2008, 3 pages) More  | Article 

DOL proposes new 401(k) fee disclosures

Plan fiduciaries would face new requirements for communicating 401(k) fee information to participants under a new DOL proposal. DOL is seeking greater transparency of investment and administrative fees in plans with participant-directed investments. (GRIST, 22 Jul 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

MA proposes changes to MCC rules

Proposed regulatory changes to Massachusetts minimum creditable coverage rules may prompt employers to review the coverage available to their Massachusetts workers for the coming year. Employers have until Sept. 12 to submit comments on the proposal. (GRIST, 22 Jul 2008, 5 pages) More  | Article 

EEOC issues guidance on religious bias

Comprehensive new EEOC guidance will help employers comply with federal law prohibiting religious discrimination in the workplace. The guidance was issued in response to a doubling of religious bias claims filed with the agency between 1992 and 2007. (Select News, 23 Jul 2008) More  

From Mercer

How do health plans handle same-sex marriages?

Several states have legalized or plan to recognize same-sex marriages, yet federal and many state laws won't extend legal rights to these unions. This Update looks at what this conflict means for employer health plans offering spousal benefits. (Update, 23 Jul 2008, 4 pages) More | Article

Prepare now for 2009 retiree drug subsidy

Applications for the 2009 Medicare retiree drug subsidy (RDS) are due by Oct. 2 for calendar-year plans, so employers should start the process now. The RDS requires annual applications, even from sponsors that previously received the subsidy. (GRIST, 23 Jul 2008, 1 page) More  | Article 

Social Security launches Retirement Estimator

A new planning tool that enables individuals to get personalized estimates of their Social Security retirement benefits is on the SSA website. The permits users to change stop-work dates and expected earnings to determine different outcomes. (Select News, 23 Jul 2008) More  

View more

Library

The cost of active investing

The typical active investor is sacrificing 0.67% in annual returns by not selecting a passive market portfolio, concludes this working paper from renowned professor Kenneth French. (Social Science Research Network (SSRN), 23 Jul 2008, 50 pages) More  

The under-annuitization puzzle

Under-annuitization is often a source of concern for those in the retirement industry. Survey results reported in this article explain that how annuities are communicated has a definite impact on how they will be regarded by potential customers. (TIAA-CREF Institute, 23 Jul 2008, 12 pages) More

European DC can learn from Australian success

Developing defined contribution plans for the European population presents a challenge, but, as this article explains, Australia's experiences provide useful ideas on how to proceed. (European Pensions and Investments News, 23 Jul 2008, 3 pages) More  | Article 

Social Security international update

The US Social Security Administration presents its monthly update on recent global developments in public and private pensions. This month developments are reported, by country, for Europe, the Americas and Asia and the Pacific. (US Social Security Administration, 23 Jul 2008, 2 pages) More  | Article 

View more

Log in to Mercer Select and HRKnowHow

E-mail address

Password (case sensitive)

Forgot your password?

Become a Select Member

Mercer Select members can access indepth HR analyses, use enhanced search techniques, and get breaking news.

Custom research

Need research on what employers are doing to control health care costs, how many employers are freezing their DB plans, or what the top M&A deals were last year?

Select members can save time – and gain access to our vast collection of proprietary resources – by asking a Mercer expert researcher to prepare a customized report, with the relevant resources, responding to your inquiry. Special hourly rates and copyright/licensing release charges may apply.

HR news delivered to you each AM

Mercer Select members can receive Today's Headlines, which provides full-text of HR news from major sources such as The Wall Street Journal. Log in or find out more.

Mercer Offerings

To learn about other Mercer offerings, check out these Mercer sites: