Press Releases

GERMANY - January 19, 2009 - Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm, and Institut für Finanz und Aktuarwissenschaften (ifa), a leading German insurance consultancy, announced today the completion of a strategic alliance between the two firms, effective January 1, 2009.

The alliance strengthens Watson Wyatt's position in the German insurance consulting market and it provides ifa and its clients access to Watson Wyatt's international network. The two firms have been working together informally for over two years and now Watson Wyatt has acquired 20 percent of ifa's operations.

"We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with ifa. Our alliance with a successful and expanding insurance consulting firm will enable us to become a prominent player in the German insurance consulting market." said Philip Brook, global head of insurance and financial services consulting at Watson Wyatt.

Hans-Joachim Zwiesler, co-founder of ifa, said: "In various joint projects Watson Wyatt's international network has benefited our clients considerably. It is important that we can offer our clients access to consultants with on-the-ground experience of the major insurance markets across the world. We are extremely happy to join forces with a renowned partner who shares our commitment to quality and putting clients first."

This alliance complements Watson Wyatt's acquisition of Heissmann, one of Germany's leading firms of pensions, benefits and human resources consultants, in 2007.

For more information please contact:

Bruce Wraight
Head of Public Relations, Europe
Watson Wyatt
+44 (0) 1737 273370
+44 (0) 7771 765154
bruce.wraight@watsonwyatt.com

Visit Watson Wyatt's online press office: www.watsonwyatt.com/europe/news/journalists

 Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Watson Wyatt (NYSE, NASDAQ: WW) is the trusted business partner to the world's leading organizations on people and financial issues. The firm’s global services include: managing the cost and effectiveness of employee benefit programs; developing attraction, retention and reward strategies; advising pension plan sponsors and other institutions on optimal investment strategies; providing strategic and financial advice to insurance and financial services companies; and delivering related technology, outsourcing and data services. Watson Wyatt has 7,600 associates in 32 countries and is located on the web at www.watsonwyatt.com

Watson Wyatt's Insurance & Financial Services Consulting Practice

Watson Wyatt's Insurance and Financial Services practice is a leading provider of actuarial and business consultancy to financial services organisations worldwide. With over 420 consultants in 18 countries, the firm combines local market knowledge and global best practice to advise on all aspects of financial management including risk and capital modelling, regulatory matters, pricing, reserving, mergers & acquisitions and strategy. It provides these services to a wide range of organisations including life, non-life and health insurance companies, reinsurers, regulators and investment banks. In addition to these services it is one of the market leading actuarial and financial modelling software providers with systems including VIPitech and Pretium.