Mercer holds regular live web briefings on a wide range of HR topics. You can also view and listen to recorded versions of all of these sessions. A complete list of upcoming live briefings and past recorded briefings is included below.

There is no cost to participate in or view the web briefings, but you will need to register. You will need an Internet-connected computer equipped for sound.

Designing and implementing incentives to encourage consumerism and wellness 

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Incentives are an important element of successful workforce health and consumerism strategies.  Join Mercer experts and learn how plan sponsors are using incentives to motivate consumer behavior change related to health status and health care purchasing decisions.  You'll hear about where the industry is headed, what success looks like and important considerations for your organization.  This event is a must for organizations and individuals that want to improve company financial performance and workforce health.  Presenters Tami Collin, Sander Domaszewicz, Tami Simon and Susan Connolly.

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Health reform update 

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Calls for health care reform are gaining momentum as state and federal policymakers, the media and other stakeholders prepare for a national debate in 2009. Against this backdrop, states have continued to address their health care challenges. Join Mercer speakers Kelly Traw, Blaine Bos and Linda Havlin to discuss strategies states are taking not only to increase access to health coverage but also to slow health care cost increases and improve quality. We’ll discuss their direct and indirect implications for employers and their health benefit programs and how they’re helping to set the stage for the 2009 debate.

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Phase II: Traveling the bumpy road of pension accounting reform 

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When the FASB announced its two-phased accounting reform project for pension and other post-retirement benefits a few years ago, the roadmap for the project seemed clear. The first step of the process, FAS 158, was completed in 2006. Now the project is entering into “phase II.” During this second phase, income statements and pension measurement issues will be looked at from a “mark-to-market” perspective, and FASB developments over the last several months suggest that there could be some unexpected detours. What is clear is that pension investment risk will be reported differently in accounting statements and plan sponsors should understand how they can manage their pension risk with an eye to the future.

Please join Mercer experts Eric Friedman (Chicago), Bob Moreen (Philadelphia) and Jim Verlautz (Minneapolis) to learn more about the background and history of the FASB project, how external forces are reshaping its focus and how eventual outcomes may affect how investment risk flows through the accounting statements and the risk management strategies retirement plan sponsors might use in response.

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Explore the use of open enrollment as a way of communicating new  benefit plan offerings and changes and of meeting both legal and benefit plan communication requirements in this one-hour web briefing.  You'll want to understand not only the opportunities for satisfying an array of required communications, but also the limitations of using the open enrollment process, particularly for dispersing electronic notifications. Employers increasingly use the open enrollment process as a means to not only communicate new benefit plan offerings and changes, but also to satisfy myriad benefit communication mandates (for example, Medicare Part D, HIPAA, COBRA and ERISA notices). Open enrollment planning should also consider communication of initiatives and actions that will be required by participants related to their enrollment (such as, consumer-directed health plans options and verification of dependent eligibility). Join speakers Mark Major, Mike Sinkeldam and Linda Havlin for this one-hour discussion on how to maximize the use of open enrollment.  

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Boasting the world’s 10th largest economy and fifth largest population, Brazil is among the “BRIC” countries, as designated by Goldman Sachs, which believes the country holds the future of the world’s economy. Brazil also presents a dynamic and complex environment for employers operating within its borders. Our speaker, Eduardo Jáuregui is the Market Leader in Brazil and the Retirement Leader for Latin America, and he will address the opportunities and challenges of benefits and compensation of employees in Brazil. He will provide an overview of benefit trends and best practices with regard to retirement and benefits. 

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Expanding the view. Why HR outsourcing always means transformation 

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Changes to HR structure and processes create a domino effect – for better or for worse – throughout the remaining HR function and even the broader organization, and few changes make a greater impact on HR than outsourcing. That’s why outsourcing should always be considered a transformational event for HR, and why plans for the retained HR function should be addressed in conjunction with plans for any outsourcing effort. Mercer’s HR effectiveness experts will discuss why the most successful outsourcing efforts are holistic, viewing outsourcing as one critical element of an overall effort to reshape the HR function and enhance its strategic role and contribution. They also will help HR leaders understand how to tackle these two major changes – outsourcing part of HR while reshaping the remaining function – simultaneously to achieve the best outcomes. 

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DC benefit trends in Asia Pacific (July 2)

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Defined contribution experts Russell Mason, Ellen Ip and Ben Facer will provide an overview of this diverse region’s pension plans, delve into the latest developments and trends, and share key insights for employers to better manage the arrangements they sponsor around the world. 

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DC benefit trends in Asia Pacific (June 24)

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Defined contribution experts Russell Mason, Ellen Ip and Ben Facer will provide an overview of this diverse region’s pension plans, delve into the latest developments and trends, and share key insights for employers to better manage the arrangements they sponsor around the world. 

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2008 Executive Compensation in Canada: The current state and future direction

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Our executive compensation experts sift through all the newly available CEO compensation data for insight on future executive pay trends.  They discuss the issues weighing on the minds of board members and companies today, including: executive pay levels, rebalancing the long-term incentives mix, advances in pay for performance and preparing for a new disclosure regime.

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IASB Views on Pension Accounting - Delivering on the Promise

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International Accounting Standards Boards representatives will discuss details of the discussion paper “Preliminary Views on Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits” which affects the representation of pension plans in company accounts and may have a significant impact on the future provision and design of pension benefits.

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Total Health Management: Onsite Health Services

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We will discuss the challenges of assessing the direct and sustained impact of an onsite clinic. Learn about our overall onsite health point of view and the approaches that we have taken to effectively guide clients who are:
Exploring the feasibility of onsite clinics
- Considering expanding the services or the taking over of an existing facility
- Seeking independent and valid monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of a recently approved or relatively new one.

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Recent Developments in the German Pension Landscape

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Germany is redrawing its pension map, and now is the time for employers and multinationals to consider how to chart their course through this emerging pension landscape.

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Domestic Partners Benefits

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U.S. companies have increasingly been offering health and other benefits to domestic partners of their employees. As of 2007, over one-third of US employers with 500 or more employees extend such coverage. The benefits are regulated by an ever-growing body of state and local law, creating complex compliance requirements for employers. Several recent developments have increased the visibility of domestic partner benefits. Non-marital relationships remain an active area of legislation and litigation, and the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage continues. Certain issues raise questions about employers' obligation to recognize same-sex marriage or domestic partnerships. In some cases, benefits may be mandated.

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"Standing up" the Human Resource Function during an M&A Transaction

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What does HR need to do when the business it supports is spun off as a stand-alone company? M&A transactions often involve the sale of a business by a parent company that has traditionally provided all or some HR services to that business. The divested business must now determine how it will operate independently. For HR, this means having to replace services once provided by the former parent company in order to "stand up HR" for the new business. This is a practical discussion on how HR can best establish effective plans and programs for the new stand-alone business, create an HR organization that can support the human capital needs of that business and continue to provide services without interruption during this period of significant change. 

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A fresh look at managing your Global Benefit Programs using MercerGOLD

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Serving primarily as a reminder of the features and how to navigate around MercerGOLD, (Mercer’s Global On-Line Database system for managing benefits) this session is both an introduction and reminder of the information MercerGOLD can store; the statutory and typical market practice data MercerGOLD provides; and, the flexible reporting MercerGOLD can offer.

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Defined contribution plans in Europe & the UK

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Join Mercer consultants in this free one hour recorded web briefing which provides an insightful look at the burgeoning world of defined contribution plans in Europe and the UK.

The world over, employers are increasingly considering retirement programs oriented to defined contribution, rather than defined benefit design principles. Europe is no exception.

As reflected in Mercer’s 2007/2008 European Defined Contribution Survey, however, the larger trends must be considered alongside differences in approach and regulation in each country in order to complete the analysis.

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The Pension and Benefits Landscape: A Legal Perspective

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Defined benefit (DB) pension plans are under siege as employers seek financial and accounting stability. Defined contribution (DC) plans, including the new tax-free savings account (TFSA), are being asked to fill the income adequacy gap. Health care continues to be a major preoccupation of, and financial burden upon, Canadian society.

How have courts and legislators reacted to these trends?

Two senior Mercer lawyers examine recent developments in human resources law. Their approach, while primarily legal, is informed by the multi-disciplinary setting in which they practice.

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Les aspects juridiques des régimes de retraite et des avantages sociaux

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Dans une conjoncture où les employeurs cherchent la stabilité sur les plans financier et comptable, les régimes de retraite à prestations déterminées (les régimes PD) sont montrés du doigt. Pour combler les besoins de revenu à la retraite, les régimes de retraite de type à cotisations déterminées (les régimes CD), et possiblement le nouveau compte d’épargne libre d’impôt (CELI), occuperont une place de plus en plus importante. Au Canada, les soins de santé continuent d’être une source de préoccupation importante et de représenter un fardeau financier pour la société.

Comment les tribunaux et les législateurs ont-ils réagi à ces tendances?

André Dionne et Marcel Théroux effectuent un survol des nouveautés du point de vue juridique dans le domaine des ressources humaines. Ils abordent la question principalement sous l’angle juridique, mais leur exposé reflète le cadre multidisciplinaire dans lequel ils exercent leurs activités professionnelles.

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2008 executive compensation - The current state and future direction

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In our annual executive compensation web briefing, Mercer experts sift through all the newly available CEO compensation data for insight on future executive pay trends. In this one-hour recording, they discuss the issues weighing on the minds of board members and companies today.

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Transferring pension risk - Emerging solutions

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With the “perfect storm” of rising costs and falling markets at the beginning of the decade, the volatility of corporate pension plans on corporate balance sheets became a significant issue for many companies.

In the UK, and now also in the US, sponsors are seeking effective strategies to contain the impact. Increasing numbers of companies in the UK are transferring all or part of the pension burden to a range of life insurance companies, investment banks and other companies willing to take on the risks. Longevity risk, in particular, can now be transferred.

Please join Mercer experts for this recorded web briefing to learn about the opportunities available in this rapidly developing market.

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Maximizing compensation management effectiveness - what European organisations are telling us

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In recent years the processes for managing compensation have received as much attention as the amounts being awarded. Despite the fact that companies report increasing competition for talent, budgets remain at their lowest levels in several years. This is prompting the compensation function to increase the sophistication of the processes that it applies to ensure that the business maximises the value derived from the spend on rewards.

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Mercer researched European businesses to understand how they manage compensation, and held a web briefing to discuss the findings of the various surveys and interviews conducted recently on this topic. During this presentation, we offered answers to a series of questions related to compensation management.

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Measurement and evaluation: Using data to drive decisions

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The ultimate goal of Health and Productivity Management (HPM) programs is to manage cost trend, improve productivity and enhance patient experience. However, assessing the true impact of an HPM initiative can be very challenging. During this one hour session we provide highlights of our measurement & evaluation process and the tools that we use for assessing the impact of health & productivity management programs.

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Will moving pension goalposts help or hinder M&A recovery?

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The M&A market in the UK is relatively quiet at the moment. There are fewer transactions, and, those that are successful, are taking longer to close. Meanwhile, new regulations and guidance have been released by the UK pension authorities, which will have an impact on deals. They concern the change-of-control payments due when an employer leaves a pension scheme and the process of regulatory clearance of M&A transactions. Please join UK-based Stuart Benson and Chris Venables of Mercer’s M&A consulting team for a thought-provoking look at the regulatory changes and other developments that are shaping the future of pension schemes the UK M&A market.

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Retiree medical cost management, funding and the use of VEBAs as an exit strategy

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Despite predictions of its demise, retiree medical benefits continue to be a key offering for many employers. The prevalence of this coverage has held steady since the late 1990s, and there is recent evidence of employers adding or enhancing retiree medical benefits. For many employers, this coverage has changed from simply being an unnecessary cost to being a key component of their workforce attraction and retention strategy. However, the need to control the cost of this plan is more urgent than ever. Join speakers Linda Havlin, Derek Guyton and Jim Kershner to learn about the latest approaches to controlling costs, using pre-funding as a cost management tool or a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) plan as an alternative.

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San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance

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The San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance requires covered employers to meet minimum health-spending requirements for eligible employees either through their own benefit offerings or by making a quarterly payment to the city. Employers with 50 or more employees must comply by January 9, 2008; employers with 20 to 49 employees have until April 1, 2008. Recent court developments allow San Francisco to implement the ordinance pending the final outcome of continuing litigation. Join speakers Linda Havlin, Michael Hilton, Kathleen Murray and Mike Sinkeldam who will provide the latest information about the lawsuit and what employers need to know to comply.

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The growing challenge of global leadership and talent development

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Recent Mercer research* confirms that building leadership capability is one of the top three human capital challenges faced by organisations globally, alongside retaining and attracting talent, and driving cultural and behavioural change.

Pressure for accelerated growth and globalisation are forcing organisations to identify and nurture leaders who can operate effectively across the company and, in many cases, across borders. Ageing workforces in many countries adds urgency to the need to identify future leadership talent, as a generation of senior leaders prepares to retire.

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Turkey’s private pension system: A new era in retirement provision

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The implementation of the private pension system in 2003 was a major milestone in the improvement of Turkey's retirement savings framework. Just four years later, a Mercer survey reveals that six out of ten multinational companies in Turkey will sponsor a defined contribution plan for their employees by the end of 2008. A trend that is clearly here to stay, multinationals in Turkey must come to terms with retirement provision and understand its strategic importance as an attraction and retention tool in a country where more than 50 percent of the population is under the age of 35. Please join Baris Tisli of Mercer's Istanbul office for an insightful look at the state of private retirement programs in Turkey today.

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UK Welfare Reform Act: Shifting the focus from incapacity to capability

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The changes to the allowance and assessment process are anticipated for introduction in Autumn 2008, with one of the major aspirations being a shift in focus from a person’s incapacity, to their work capabilities.

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Asia-Pacific retirement web seminar

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With the fourth largest economy and a population of 1.3 billion, India is experiencing strong economic growth. This web briefing explores the key economic reforms that have opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment and looks at opportunities and issues facing foreign multinational corporations. Please join speakers Gautam Kakar, leader of Mercer's India Retirement Business, and Vanessa Wang, Asia Retirement Leader, for this timely discussion.

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Engaging employees to drive global business success

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In today’s demanding global business environment, employers want not just satisfied or committed employees, but ones who are truly engaged in the work and mission of the organiSation. Why? Because engaged employees feel a vested interest in their company’s success and are motivated to perform at levels that exceed the stated job requirements. Mercer understands what drives employee engagement – not just in one country or location, but around the world. We have conducted extensive research to capture and track employee perceptions in 22 countries. Join speakers Patrick Gilbert and David Tong to learn more.

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Update on India - Key retirement issues for multinational corporations

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With the fourth largest economy and a population of 1.3 billion, India is experiencing strong economic growth. This web briefing explores the key economic reforms that have opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment and looks at opportunities and issues facing foreign multinational corporations. Please join speakers Gautam Kakar, leader of Mercer's India Retirement Business, and Noam Lakser, a worldwide partner from Mercer's New York office, for this timely discussion.

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Working with institutional investors - A new era of shareholder dialogue

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2008 promises to bring a number of new challenges to companies in working with their shareholders. Recent governance changes, including a shift toward majority voting standards in the election of directors, and increased demand for clear and transparent disclosure of executive compensation have heightened shareholder awareness of and influence on compensation issues. Companies now face the challenges of more active shareholder campaigns and shareholder proposals on specific compensation issues. Our speakers Kelly Crean, Bruce Greenblatt, Amy Knieriem and Todd Krauser will shed some light on the emerging issues for 2008 from both the proxy advisory firm and institutional investor perspectives.

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