In a September 12 announcement, Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Hewitt Associates announced a reorganization of its defined contribution plan consulting service so it is more integrated with its benefits administration.

On the same day, Mercer Human Resource Consulting announced a name change to Mercer to better convey the breadth of services the company offers.

Hewitt is forming the new group to be more proactive with offering its consulting and administrative services in a more integrated manner, says Alison Borland, who is leading the new group.

Similarly, Mercer dropped the HR from its name to better convey its full array of offerings, says spokeswoman Stephanie Poe.

“Many of our clients and prospects weren’t aware that we are heavily involved in things like investment management, investment consulting and benefits outsourcing,” Poe says. “Those services don’t intuitively fit under the HR brand.”

Mercer now will be the only Marsh & McLennan Cos. subsidiary to have the Mercer brand, Poe says.

It makes sense for Mercer and Hewitt to emphasize its many services, particularly in the investment consulting area, experts say.

“Mercer and Hewitt have always been huge players in the defined benefit space and now they are seeing that market erode as 401(k) plans become the main vehicle for retirement savings,” says Rick Meigs, president of 401khelpcenter.com.

Hewitt believes it can better differentiate its services from other benefits administrators by emphasizing its consulting business in discussion with clients and prospects, Borland says.

“We have always offered these services, but we want to be more proactive to make sure clients are hearing about it,” she says.

Given the recent changes in legislation with the Pension Protection Act and the ongoing scrutiny over 401(k) fees, many employers are looking for help with managing their plans, Meigs says.

“It’s a good time for companies like Mercer and Hewitt to get out there and market everything they do,” he says.

—Jessica Marquez