Mercer

Unilever has appointed one of Mercer's top investment consultants to help run its pension scheme.

UK - Unilever has appointed one of Mercer's top investment consultants to help run its pension scheme.

GLOBAL - Companies in more countries are starting to adopt the two-tier model of defined contribution funding typically found in the US, said Craig Burnett, Mercer's European head of DC.

The UK and US defined contribution markets are swapping attitudes towards annuitisation, industry figures say

UK/US - The UK and US defined contribution markets are swapping attitudes towards annuitisation, industry figures say.

Trustees could be on the hook for liabilities up to 15 years after a buyout has occurred if they fail to take adequate insurance cover, lawyers warn.

GLOBAL - A growing number of multi-national companies are developing global pension committees and policies in order to gain a better grasp on their fund liabilities, says Mercer global chief retirement strategist Bruce Rigby.

US - Current accounting standards in the US have discouraged the use of de-risking strategies among corporate pension funds, Mercer says.

FTSE100 companies' median liabilities jumped about 20% last year due to changes in accounting assumptions, Mercer research reveals.

Volatility in global equities and falling corporate bond yields in the last two weeks of June cancelled out much of the growth achieved by schemes over the past six months, Mercer says.