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Mercer report analyzes S&P 500 retirement plans

Retirement plan sponsors can find a wealth of benchmarking data in a new Mercer report analyzing S&P 500 companies. With breakdowns by industry, the report details retirement programs' funded status, funding, investments, and benefit offerings. (Update, 10 Oct 2007, 36 pages) More | Article

Health and welfare plan notices for new hires

Hiring new employees triggers significant compliance obligations for benefits staff. This Update reviews federal health and welfare benefit notices due at or shortly after hiring a new employee and strategies for meeting these obligations. (Update, 26 Sep 2007, 4 pages) More | Article

What are ERISA health plan documents and SPDs?

Under ERISA, employers must have health plan documents and summary plan descriptions (SPDs) meeting certain rules -- or face penalties and other liabilities. This Update explains how a health plan document or SPD differs from other benefit materials. (Update, 14 Sep 2007, 4 pages) More | Article

Update: Decisions under the new 403(b) rules

New IRS rules on 403(b) plans present challenges for tax-exempt employers, public schools, and churches. Join Mercer experts on September 19 at 2:00 PM (US-ET) for a free, one-hour web briefing to learn more about the rules and what actions to take. (Update, 10 Sep 2007, 1 page) More | Article

US equity markets see second-quarter gains

All equity markets gained in the second quarter of 2007, reports the latest Defined Contribution Universe Summary from Mercer IC. The S&P 500 Index and internal equity markets each rose by more than 6%, while the balance asset class grew by 3.5%. (Update, 27 Aug 2007, 5 pages) More | Article

Proposed cafeteria plan rules blend old and new

Recently proposed cafeteria plan regulations contain many familiar requirements -- with a few new twists that either add flexibility or raise compliance issues. This Update highlights key features of the rules for employers with section 125 plans. (Update, 24 Aug 2007, 4 pages) More | Article

Institutional plans post positive Q2 returns

The median corporate, public, and foundation/endowment plan gained 4.2% to 5.1% in the second quarter of 2007, a Mercer IC survey finds. In August, most Mercer clients' core portfolios have seen little fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis. (Update, 24 Aug 2007, 7 pages) More | Article

How COBRA affects account-style health benefits

While COBRA grants certain rights to continue coverage under an employer group health plan, deciphering whether and how the law applies to account-style benefits -- such as HSAs, MSAs, health FSAs, or HRAs -- often can prove confusing. (Update, 9 Aug 2007, 4 pages) More | Article

Highlights of Mercer's S&P 500 benchmarking survey

Mercer's annual survey of S&P 500 companies finds pension plans healthier than in the past, with strong asset returns and an increase in discount rates improving plans' funded status. These and other survey findings appear in a new highlights report. (Update, 7 Aug 2007, 18 pages) More | Article

Compensation committees face full agenda for 2007

Compensation committees have a full slate in 2007 as they assess proxies filed under the new disclosure rules and race to conform NQDC plans to section 409A. This Update offers a checklist to help prioritize committee tasks in the last half of 2007. (Update, 23 Jul 2007, 3 pages) More | Article

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What are Updates?

Updates are summaries and brief analyses of business-line specific news and developments. Mercer's Retirement, H&B, and Human Capital Businesses -- along with the WRG -- publish Updates as developments warrant, typically 2-3 times a month.

Tools from Mercer Select

Toolkits developed by Mercer experts are available to help you deal with particularly complex HR areas: HIPAA security and FLSA.