For immediate release

LONDON, 21st April, 2009 Since the beginning of the credit crunch, a 60 year old worker with a defined contribution (DC) pension has seen their projected pension fall by 40%, scuppering retirement plans for millions, according to Aon Consulting, the leading employee risk and benefits management firm. These falls mean those imminently approaching retirement are being forced to reconsider their options, often on their own.
Aon Consulting has planned a series of pre-retirement seminars in 2009 for those within two to five years of retirement in order to assist them with the financial and non-financial issues facing them such as:
· Pre-retirement financial preparation
· Financial choices at retirement
· Taxation
· Inheritance issues – tax, wills, trusts
· Options for work post-retirement
· Relationships and replacing the workplace social network
· How to utilise your talent and skills
· Health issues
· Dealing with spare time

The seminars are being held in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Farnborough, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester throughout the year.

Helen Dowsey, Head of DC Consulting at Aon Consulting commented: “The advice being given to those saving for retirement has always been, ‘try to pay in as much as you can and invest for the long term’. However, for those looking to retire shortly, looking to the long term is simply not an option.

“Those aiming to retire in the next two to five years need to work within the constraints of the current economic crisis, but they can still take action to maximise their financial position. Once you have retired it is simply too late.

“Retirement also presents changes in an individual’s psychological and physical circumstances so being prepared and equipped for the decisions and changes they need to make will enable people to make the most out of their retirement.

“People close to retirement are often anxious and don’t know where to turn. Many have been with their employer for a long period of time and those employers are in a position to play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to retirement. Not only is providing access to support and advice to those nearing retirement a socially responsible thing to do, it also makes good business sense, significantly enhancing your brand as an employer.”

 Ends

Note to editors:
Seminar dates and locations as follows:
12 May  Birmingham
13 May  Farnborough
19 May  Leeds
20 May  Glasgow
9 June  London
10 June  Birmingham
16 June  Leeds
17 June  Edinburgh
15 September  London
16 September  Bristol
21 September  Glasgow
22 September  Leeds
6 October  London
7 October  Birmingham
13 October  Manchester
14 October  Glasgow
3 November  London
4 November  Birmingham
17 November  Leeds
18 November  Glasgow

For more information contact:
Susie Patterson / Leo Wood 
0207 269 7250 / 137
susie.patterson@fd.com / leo.wood@fd.com

David Skapinker
020 7505 7478
david.skapinker@aon.co.uk

About Aon Consulting
Aon Consulting Worldwide is among the top global human capital consulting firms, with 2007 revenues of US$1.352 billion and more than 6,000 professionals in 117 offices worldwide. Aon Consulting is shaping the workplace of the future through benefits, talent management and rewards strategies and solutions. Aon Consulting was named the best employee benefit consulting firm by the readers of Business Insurance magazine in 2006, 2007 and 2008.  For more information on Aon, please visit http://aon.mediaroom.com

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Aon Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only.