Mercer Sees New Client Momentum Building for Its U.S. Outsourcing Business

November 11, 2009 8:45 AM EST

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mercer, a global leader in benefits administration outsourcing, announced today that it has added 20 new organizations to its roster of nearly 570 U.S. outsourcing clients during the first nine months of 2009. These 20 clients include more than 260,000 employees and represent all of Mercer's benefits administration services (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 - New client wins for Mercer's outsourcing business by service provided

Type of Service                   Number of New Clients YTD 9/30/2009

Defined Contribution              10

Defined Benefit                   2

Health and Benefits               6

Total Benefits/Total Retirement   2
Outsourcing*

"We are very pleased about the number and quality of the new clients we have added in 2009, particularly during these unprecedented and economically challenging times," explained Jeff Miller, President of Mercer's outsourcing business. "Based on client feedback, it is clear that our strategic approach to an integrated 'employee benefits experience' as part of our entire outsourcing solution sets us apart in the marketplace. Highly targeted messaging and personalized tools are not only critical for employees as they navigate the ever more complex benefits landscape but can also help employers promote their benefits internally and attract talent to the organization. Ultimately this focus on the employee and our commitment to investing in flexible technology only helps deepen our relationships with our clients."

Aligned with its investment in the employee benefits experience, Mercer's U.S. benefits administration outsourcing business has also capitalized on several market conditions that are driving new business opportunities including:

    --  Heightened plan sponsor demand for investment independence and full fee
        transparency, especially in light of substantial fiduciary challenges
    --  Increased complexity of benefit plans - as well as growing regulatory
        changes and operational risks associated with administering plans
        in-house
    --  Continued desire to take advantage of the substantial technology and
        process-improvement investments made by outsourcing providers
    --  Sustained pressure on many organizations to closely manage corporate
        expenses and focus on strategic HR initiatives

Further commenting on the types of new business gained in 2009, Mr. Miller added, "We have a compelling offering that is resonating in the marketplace, whether as a 'Total Benefits Outsourcing' or a 'Total Retirement' bundled solution or as a 'single line' offering. Our benefits administration platform has truly developed along with the dynamic and evolving needs of the marketplace, making it even more attractive to plan sponsors and participants alike."

*Note to editors

Mercer defines Total Benefits Outsourcing as clients who utilize health and benefits administration and defined benefit or defined contribution or both retirement administration services. Mercer defines Total Retirement Outsourcing as clients who utilize both defined benefit and defined contribution retirement administration services.

About Mercer

Mercer is a leading global provider of consulting, outsourcing, and investment services. Mercer works with clients to solve their most complex benefit and human capital issues, designing and helping manage health, retirement, and other benefits. It is a leader in benefits outsourcing. Mercer's investment services include investment consulting and multi-manager investment management. Mercer's 18,000 employees are based in more than 40 countries. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., which lists its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) on the New York, Chicago, and London stock exchanges. For more information, visit www.mercer.com.

    Source: Mercer

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