Web Conferences

On Tuesday, June 3, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help institutional investors learn more about the realities of implementing liability-driven investment strategies. During the Web conference, we discussed the best methods for creating/implementing liability benchmarks, how to handle an excess risk/return profile and the appropriate alpha levels for these types of plans.

On Wednesday, May 14, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about the current environment for pension plan design, with a particular focus on cash balance and other hybrid defined benefit (DB) plans. During the Web conference, we discussed plan design issues and opportunities for plan sponsors and provided an integrated look at how recent regulatory developments could affect DB plans.

On Tuesday, April 8, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help institutional investors learn more about securities lending programs. During the Web conference, we discussed how recent events in the credit markets have made it more important for institutional investors to understand the risks that accompany securities lending.

On Thursday, March 20, 2008, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference for organizations seeking to learn how to establish, operate or transform an onsite health center as part of an effective and comprehensive health and productivity strategy. The Web conference highlighted the onsite health center premise and models, how services enhance the healthcare experience, steps for successful development and return on investment.

On Wednesday, March 5, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help institutional investors learn more about the future landscape of the pension and investment industry. The Web conference highlighted the results of a Watson Wyatt/Financial Times global survey on the shape of the pension fund industry by the year 2020. Web conference discussion included whether the talent bubble will persist, whether governance models will be forced to change and the impact of product proliferation on alpha strategies.

On Tuesday, February 5, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help institutional investors learn more about the current real estate environment and related capital market conditions. During the Web conference, we discussed how the subprime mortgage crisis could impact future investments in real estate, if existing investments will lose their value and whether there are any new opportunities to buy at less-than-peak prices.

On Tuesday, December 18, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to share information about best practices that will help companies draft the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) in next year's proxy. We focused on recent SEC guidance and the changes it calls for, including more detailed communication on the “hows” and “whys” of pay decisions. The conference will help senior executives and compensation committee members understand the internal processes and timetables necessary for compliance.

On Thursday, December 13, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about how recently passed and proposed IRS regulations might affect their pension plans. We discussed the implications of IRS guidance on two key Pension Protection Act issues – lump sum distributions and benefit restrictions – for plan sponsors.

On Tuesday, December 11, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about the origins of the subprime meltdown. The conference featured a discussion on what the crisis means for pension funds, how some plans have been affected and if there are any opportunities in this environment.

On Thursday, November 29, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about using value-based health benefit strategies to increase ROI in health care programs. The Web conference focused on pragmatic, evidence-based strategies that employers can use to control health care costs while improving employee engagement, health and productivity.

On Tuesday, November 13, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about the current trends in hedge funds. During the Web conference we discussed what is happening in the hedge fund space, how to take advantage of any potential opportunities, and how to find talented managers to navigate the tumultuous environment surrounding these types of funds.

On Tuesday, September 11, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about the perceptions and realities of today’s private equity markets. During the Web conference we discussed the recent turn in the credit markets and the opportunities and risks this poses for private equity investors, what investors should be focusing on in the current environment, and how to exploit current inefficiencies and dislocations to benefit private equity investments in the medium to long-term.

On Tuesday, July 10, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about how target date funds can work for their retirement plan. The conference answered several questions, including, whether there is a true “best practice” for these types of funds, how use of these funds can result in a successful retirement plan for participants and whether or not a more customized approach is a better alternative.

On Tuesday, June 5, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference to help employers learn more about how companies are governing their global pension plans. The presentation closely examined the types of approaches multinational companies are using to govern their global retirement plans, who is making the decisions regarding these types of plans, and what corporate headquarters involvement is in the strategy and execution of multinational pension plans. The presentation also included a discussion about our recent survey on multinational pension governance.

On Tuesday, May 1, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about how to make the most of a portfolio transition opportunity. The conference included discussion on what comprises a strong process and how to identify the possible pitfalls in advance.

To help employers learn more about what is in their bond portfolio, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on April 10, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET. The conference discussed how fixed income managers are using derivatives and leverage.

On Tuesday, March 6, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about new ways to produce better beta in their index fund investments. The conference included a discussion on the different types of benefits that alternative approaches can provide and what is required to make them work effectively.

On Tuesday, February 6, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about managing institutional assets in a complex investment world. The conference included a discussion on the different types of investment risk your plans can take, which governance models you should consider, and what categories your investment strategies may fall into.

On Tuesday, January 9, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about active management strategies and the 130/30 flexible strategy in particular. The conference included a discussion of how these new active management strategies are being positioned as an “intermediate step to hedge funds.”

“Investment Strategies for Current Legal and Regulatory Challenges”
On Tuesday, December 5, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about how recent legal and regulatory developments may affect pension plan investments. We looked at what current lawsuits and other legal and regulatory developments tell plan fiduciaries, what more can be done to understand and monitor fees and expenses, and what opportunities and pitfalls there are for plan sponsors in a post-reform world.

“Implementing Infrastructure Asset Strategies”
On Tuesday, October 3, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about how to include infrastructure asset strategies in their investment portfolios. We looked at the different characteristics of infrastructure asset classes including what implementation issues should be considered. And we discussed the governance issues this sector might raise for investors.

“Implementing Commodity Strategies”
On Tuesday, September 12, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about how commodities can work for their pension plans. The web conference featured an in-depth look at what kinds of characteristics should be anticipated from an allocation to commodities with additional discussion around what levels of return should be expected when implementing this type of strategy.

“The SEC Disclosure Rules: Time to Prepare”
To provide guidance on how employers can prepare to comply with the SEC’s newly finalized disclosure rules on executive compensation Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on August 21. The web conference featured an overview of the changes and an in-depth discussion of their impact on employers, compensation committees and compensation programs in general.

“2006 Pension Reform”
To help employers better understand the new rule changes and implications associated with pension funding reform Watson Wyatt hosted two web conferences. The one on funding rules for single-employers plans was held on August 14, and one specifically focused on hybrid plans was held on August 17.

“Implementing Portable Alpha Strategies”
On Tuesday, July 11, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to help employers learn more about the creative application and practical execution of portable alpha strategies. The web conference featured an in-depth look at where the market for portable alpha strategies is headed today, how these approaches will fit in the changing pension landscape, and practical issues to consider when implementing these types of programs.

"Investment Post-Pension Reform: What to Know, What to Do"
On Tuesday, June 6, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on how the outcomes of pension funding and accounting reform could affect pension investments. The web conference featured an in-depth discussion on how pending legislation could impact employers’ asset allocation strategies.

"AnswerKey™: Improving Efficiencies and Reducing Costs"
On May 4, Watson Wyatt hosted a Web conference featuring AnswerKey, our Web-based HR operations and call center solution. AnswerKey facilitates flexible delivery of services and resources, provides service delivery analytics, and supports global HR operations. The web conference included a product overview, demonstration, and review.

"Pension Accounting Reform: How will it affect plan sponsors?"
On Tuesday, April 18, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on pension accounting reform and how it could affect plan sponsors. The web conference featured an in-depth discussion on how the FASB’s new rules will impact the Fortune 1000 overall, pointed out areas that the FASB is asking for comments on and discussed what we’re expecting in the second phase of the FASB project.

"Investment Strategies for Building a Better Defined Contribution Plan"
On Tuesday, April 4, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on how to build a better DC plan from an investment perspective. The web conference featured an in-depth discussion on what works and what doesn’t in the current environment and offered thoughts on short- and long-term actions that can be taken to make DC plans more effective.

"Investment Strategies for a Post Reform Environment: Long Duration Bonds."
On Tuesday, March 7, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on how corporations can adapt their investment strategies in light of proposed pension funding and accounting rules. The web conference featured an in-depth discussion of the options available to plan sponsors in a world where smoothing conventions might be eliminated and investment strategies that better hedge pension liabilities could take on a more prominent role.

"SEC Disclosure Rules: A Technical Overview"
On Wednesday, February 22, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on the SEC's new proposed rules on executive compensation. The web conference featured an in-depth discussion of the current climate and impetus for the new rules, overview of the changes and their impact on employers, compensation committees and compensation programs in general.

"Medicare Reform and HSAs: Latest Developments, Deadlines and Next Steps"
On Tuesday, August 23, Watson Wyatt hosted the fifth in a series of special web conferences on Medicare reform.

"Medicare Reform: How will it affect employer-sponsored health care?"
On Thursday, February 3, Watson Wyatt hosted the fourth in a series of special web conferences on Medicare reform.

"FAS 123: Key Provisions and Implications"
On Tuesday, January 11th, Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to discuss the implications of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's final statement on FAS 123.

"Medicare Reform and HSAs – Latest Developments and Next Steps"
Watson Wyatt hosted a special web conference on August 18 to help employers understand the latest developments related to the new Medicare law.

"FAS 123: Key Provisions and Implications"
On Thursday, April 15, Watson Wyatt hosted a special web conference on the FAS 123 exposure draft.

"Medicare Reform: How Will It Affect Employer-sponsored Health Care"
On Tuesday, March 9, Watson Wyatt hosted the second in a series of special web conferences on Medicare reform.

"Medicare Reform: How Will It Affect Employer-sponsored Health Care"
On Wednesday, December 17, Watson Wyatt hosted a special web conference on Medicare reform.

"reDefined Contribution Health Care: The Path to Short-term Savings and Long-term Reform"
On Wednesday, May 21, Watson Wyatt, together with Financial Executives International, hosted a web conference to uncover a new approach to the health care cost crisis.

"Pension Funding: Weathering the Current Crisis"
On Tuesday, December 17th, Watson Wyatt and Financial Executives International, hosted a web conference to address the latest facts regarding the financial status of U.S. retirement plans, and discuss the implications.

"Leveraging Employee Portal Technology to Maximize Productivity at GM"
On Thursday, May 2nd Watson Wyatt and Workscape co-hosted a web conference with GM to discuss best practices in making the most of portal technology.

"Company Stock in Defined Contribution Plans"
On Thursday, March 14 Watson Wyatt and the Research Foundation of Financial Executives International (FEI) hosted a web conference to discuss the issue of company stock in defined contribution plans.

"Getting Pay Right in Today’s Economy"
On February 20th, Watson Wyatt held a web conference to discuss strategies for successfully retaining top talent and keeping employees motivated during volatile economic times.

Cash Balance/Pension Equity Plan Sponsorship
On December 13, 2001 Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to discuss Cash Balance/Pension Equity Plan Sponsorship.

eHR — Making the Right Technology Choices Today
On November 13th, 2001 Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference on "eHR: Making the Right Technology Choices Today."

The Human Capital Index
On October 30th, 2001 Watson Wyatt hosted a web conference to discuss the 2001/2002 Human Capital Index^® research findings.