The Defined Contribution Plans of Fortune 100 Companies: 2008 Plan Year

In this report, Watson Wyatt Worldwide examines 68 DC plans offered by Fortune 100 companies in 2008, including eligibility and vesting rules, employee and employer contributions, and plan investments and expenses.

Annual Enrollment 2010
Flash Survey

In November 2009, Watson Wyatt surveyed employers to find out what actions they have taken to manage health and welfare annual enrollment this year and what changes they expect to make next year. The survey was completed by 349 U.S. employers from 22 industries. This year’s participants offer an average of three health plans and have an average of 11,628 employees.

2009/2010 North American Staying@Work Report: The Health and Productivity Advantage

The 2009/2010 Staying@Work report is the result of Watson Wyatt’s inaugural North American survey of companies’ health and productivity programs. The report reflects the natural evolution of this research, which has been separately conducted in the United States and Canada for more than a decade. This research details current trends and best practices, including employer’ efforts to improve employee health, combat presenteeism and reduce lost time from work.

Moving Beyond the Financial Crisis: 2009/2010 Report on Executive Pay

The U.S. executive pay model continues to be buffeted by an onslaught of external forces, most notably a significant economic recession, volatile financial markets, legislative activity and activism by pay critics and shareholder advisory firms. Confronted with new shareholder proxy disclosure rules for 2010 and the prospect of “say on pay” legislation, companies and their boards are focused on crafting executive pay arrangements that strengthen the tie between pay and sustained performance.

Effect of the Economic Crisis on HR Programs
Update: October 2009

In October 2009, Watson Wyatt continued our ongoing research on the economic crisis based on survey responses from HR executives at 201 U.S.-based companies. This is an update to our bimonthly reports that began in October 2008 to understand what adjustments they are making to their HR programs (e.g., staffing, pay, benefits) in response to the economic downturn.

Executive Pay and the Economic Recovery

In late September 2009, Watson Wyatt surveyed 187 HR and compensation executives at large U.S.-based organizations to understand what effect the economy is having on their executive pay programs.

Accounting for Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits 2009

In this report, Watson Wyatt Worldwide analyzes disclosures for fiscal year (FY) 2008 under Financial Accounting Statements (FAS) 87 and 106, as amended by FAS 132 (Revised 2003) and FAS 158. The disclosures are from the most recent annual reports or financial statements of the nation’s largest public companies — those in the most recent listing of the Fortune 1000.

Looking Toward Recovery: Realigning Rewards and Re-Engaging Employees -
2009/2010 U.S. Strategic Rewards Report

The recession has had widespread and unprecedented impact on U.S. employers and their employees. While the worst might be over, companies need to be prepared for the effects to linger even after the economy recovers. The scope and number of actions employers have taken in response to the economic crisis have resulted in a drop in employee engagement (particularly among top-performing employees), and this could have a long-lasting and detrimental impact on productivity, quality and customer service.

Current Trends in Sales Force Compensation and Management

In August 2009, Watson Wyatt surveyed 129 sales and HR executives at large North American companies to understand what adjustments they are making to their sales goals and sales incentive plans as a result of the current economic environment. The respondents represent a cross-section of industries.

Managing Defined Contribution Plans in the Current Environment

Between mid-March and mid-April 2009, Watson Wyatt surveyed DC plan sponsors to determine how they are addressing critical issues such as plan design, investment options, and communication and governance practices in the current environment.

Most Requested Research

• Closing the Gap 2008|2009 Employee Perspectives on Health Care 
• The Power of Integrated Reward and Talent Management - 2008/2009 Global Strategic Rewards Report and United States Findings 
• Effective Communication: A Leading Indicator of Financial Performance - 2005/2006 Communication ROI Study 
• The Worlds 500 Largest Asset Managers 
• A summary of our recent research Defining Moments 

Technical and Policy Papers 

Technical and Policy Papers are available for download free of charge to registered members of My Watson Wyatt .