Towers Watson Archives - CFO

Employers Wouldn’t Alter Health Benefits upon ACA Repeal

Risk & Compliance

Employers Wouldn’t Alter Health Benefits upon ACA Repeal

Not even a repeal of the unpopular employer mandate would spur most companies to change their health benefits strategies.

By David McCann | May 23, 2017

Pension Plan Funded Status Unchanged at 82%

Retirement Plans

Pension Plan Funded Status Unchanged at 82%

Towers Watson says the lack of improvement at the end of 2015 reflects a rise in interest rates offset by weak stock markets.

By Matthew Heller | January 4, 2016

Towers Watson, Willis Sweeten Merger Terms

Towers Watson, Willis Sweeten Merger Terms

To get Towers Watson shareholders to approve the deal, the companies raise the special cash dividend to $10 a share.

By Matthew Heller | November 20, 2015

More Companies Opting for Private Health Exchanges

Human Capital & Careers

More Companies Opting for Private Health Exchanges

Mercer, perhaps a bellwether for growth in the private exchange space, will have 31% more active-employee exchange clients in 2016.

By David McCann | October 15, 2015

CEO Pay Ratio Opens Fair-Pay Debate to Everyone

Risk & Compliance

CEO Pay Ratio Opens Fair-Pay Debate to Everyone

With employees knowing a company's median pay level, those both below and above may have a lot of new questions.

By Steve Seelig | October 1, 2015

Bonuses to Be Underfunded for 5th Straight Year

Bonuses to Be Underfunded for 5th Straight Year

And three in 10 employers plan to give bonuses this year to employees who fail to meet performance expectations, says Towers Watson.

By Matthew Heller | September 18, 2015

Towers Watson and Willis To Merge

Towers Watson and Willis To Merge

The professional-services firm and insurance broker will join in an $18 billion deal creating a company with more than $7 billion in revenue.

By Katie Kuehner-Hebert | June 30, 2015

Robust Spending on HR Systems to Continue

Robust Spending on HR Systems to Continue

Investing in core technology is becoming the primary human resources service delivery priority, survey says.

By Matthew Heller | June 16, 2015

Companies Raise the Bar for Golden Parachutes

Human Capital & Careers

Companies Raise the Bar for Golden Parachutes

Few firms remain that pay severance to executives only upon a change in control; a termination of employment is also now a standard requirement.

By Matthew Heller | June 10, 2015

Executives Forced to Own More Company Stock

Risk & Compliance

Executives Forced to Own More Company Stock

Investors press companies to use stock-ownership guidelines to motivate CEO and CFO performance.

By David McCann | March 19, 2015

Pension Plans Sink Despite High Investment Gains

Retirement Plans

Pension Plans Sink Despite High Investment Gains

Factors out of plan sponsors' control overwhelmed a strong 2014 for the markets, decimating funded status yet again.

By David McCann | January 6, 2015

How to Buy a Company and Keep Its Top Talent

How to Buy a Company and Keep Its Top Talent

Retention agreements are no magic bullet, but they can improve the chances that an acquisition will achieve its objectives, Towers Watson finds.

By David McCann | October 10, 2014

Are Companies Set to Shed Pension Liabilities En Masse?

Retirement Plans

Are Companies Set to Shed Pension Liabilities En Masse?

Motorola's move to offload pension obligations by buying annuities from Prudential could signal a wave of such actions.

By David McCann | September 30, 2014

How Executive-Compensation Methods Relate to Shareholder Return

How Executive-Compensation Methods Relate to Shareholder Return

Regulators, proxy advisors and investors may be way off the mark in their views on executive compensation.

By David McCann | July 30, 2014

Global Benefits Spending Is a Mystery to Multinationals

Global Benefits Spending Is a Mystery to Multinationals

Highly decentralized benefits programs hamstring big global companies from optimizing spending and risk management.

By David McCann | June 25, 2014