Nature of Operations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (the "Company"), a global professional services firm, is organized based on the different services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company’s two business segments are Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting.

The Risk and Insurance Services segment provides risk management activities and insurance broking, reinsurance broking and insurance program management services for businesses, public entities, insurance companies, associations, professional services organizations, and private clients. The Company conducts business in this segment through Marsh and Guy Carpenter.

The Company conducts business in its Consulting segment through two main business groups. Mercer provides consulting expertise, advice, services and solutions in the areas of health, retirement, talent and investments. Within the investments business, Mercer provides delegated investment (fiduciary management) solutions to institutional investors (such as retirement plan sponsors and trustees) and to individual investors (primarily through the inclusion of funds managed by Mercer on defined contribution and wealth management platforms). As of March 31, 2015, Mercer had assets under management of $125 billion worldwide. Oliver Wyman Group provides specialized management and economic and brand consulting services.

Acquisitions impacting the Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting segments are discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.