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Thu, August 30, 2012

Marsh & McLennan Companies Partners with Stanford Center on Longevity to Foster Lifetime Financial Security Preparedness


Published on 2012-08-30 08:32:04 - Market Wire
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NEW YORK--([ ])--Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: MMC), a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital, and the Stanford Center on Longevity, a research center at Stanford University, today announced that the two organizations will [ collaborate ] to raise awareness and preparedness around lifetime financial security. As part of its previously announced commitment to fund retirement policy exploration, Marsh & McLennan Companies will contribute $1.5 million through 2013 to support the Stanford Center on Longevityas studies and activities related to financial security.

"Marsh & McLennan Companies is eager to advance awareness and education around issues related to retirement and aging populations. Two aspects of those issuesa"increased longevity and financial securitya"are top of mind for governments, businesses and individuals"

aMarsh & McLennan Companies is eager to advance awareness and education around issues related to retirement and aging populations. Two aspects of those issuesa"increased longevity and financial securitya"are top of mind for governments, businesses and individuals,a said Brian Duperreault, President and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Companies. aThrough our Companyas support of the Stanford Center on Longevity, we will take part in forward-looking dialogue on these issues and work to be a catalyst for new ideas and perspectives that benefit the greater good of the aging population and of future generations,a Mr. Duperreault concluded.

aIt is a privilege for the Stanford Center on Longevity to receive this support for our programs from Marsh & McLennan Companies,a said Laura Carstensen, Founding Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. aOur Center aims to connect with the best thinkers, business leaders and policy makers, and we look forward to the insights Marsh & McLennan Companies will provide based on its deep expertise in risk, strategy and human capital.a

Michele Burns, who previously served as Chairman and CEO of Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, and was named to lead Marsh & McLennan Companiesa retirement policy center exploration last year, will serve as Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor to the Stanford Center on Longevity. She will join Founding Director Laura Carstensen, PhD and Deputy Director Thomas Rando, MD, PhD in providing strategic guidance for the overall efforts of the Center and development of the Financial Security Division of the Center.

aIn exploring how Marsh & McLennan Companies could have the greatest impact in the retirement policy arena, the Stanford Center on Longevity emerged as an excellent partner,a said Michele Burns. aThe Center brings a unique perspective to issues facing our society by rethinking the perceived problems around an aging populationa"challenges such as retirement planning and the need to work longera"and finding value in the opportunities these challenges present.

aThe Centeras Financial Security Division, in collaboration with Marsh & McLennan Companies, will examine these issues from multiple perspectives, ranging from individual financial capability, the changing nature and role of work, common financial pitfalls such as fraud, and the resulting key policy issues. The goal is to help drive the dialogue forward in order to facilitate a healthier state of long-term financial securitya"both for the individual and society. I am very proud to work with the Stanford Center on Longevity on these issues and to contribute to solutions that can make a difference for us all,a Ms. Burns concluded.

The two organizations recently collaborated on a conference that brought together contributors from business, academia and government to address retirement planning in the age of longevity. The insights discussed at the conference are being used to inform the Stanford Center on Longevityas financial security agenda as well as recommendations for future policy and research. The Centeras Financial Security Division will also launch an expanded web presence this fall that will highlight the Divisionas work and will also serve as an information resource for key stakeholders.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES (NYSE: MMC) is a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. [ Marsh ] is a global leader in insurance broking andrisk management; [ Guy Carpenter ] is a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; [ Mercer ] is a global leader in human resource consulting and related services; and [ Oliver Wyman ] is a global leader in management consulting. Marsh & McLennan Companiesa 53,000 colleagues worldwide provide analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. The Company prides itself on being a responsible [ corporate citizen ] and making a positive impact in the communities in which it operates. Visit [ www.mmc.com ] for more information.

About the Stanford Center on Longevity

The mission of the Stanford Center on Longevity ([ http://longevity.stanford.edu/ ]) is to redesign long life. The Center studies the nature and development of the human life span, looking for innovative ways to use science and technology to solve the problems of people over 50 and improve the well-being of people of all ages. Meeting these challenges includes changing public policies as well as personal behavior. Redesigning long life means appreciating the unique challenges of aging, as well as the great value older people contribute to a society.

The Center brings together experts from academia, business and government to target important challenges and opportunities for older people. It works to make sure that research findings are not shared only in scholarly journals, but reach policymakers, business leaders, and others who will use them to improve our society.

Nearly 140 Stanford faculty members are Center affiliates. Their research ranges from developing healthy nutritional habits and building assistive robots, to pursuing stem cell research and improving health care delivery. The Centeras research projects are designed to provide information to policymakers and business leaders, and bring them together with the research community. By fostering dialogue among these typically disconnected worlds, the Center aims to develop workable solutions to urgent issues confronting America as our population ages.

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