Global professional services company Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ:TW) has announced that Dr. Sylvester J. Schieber, a leading retirement expert who retired from the company in 2006 following a distinguished career, has been named winner of the 17th annual TIAA-CREF Paul A. Samuelson Award for Outstanding Scholarly Writing on Lifelong Financial Security.

Dr. Schieber was recognized for his book “The Predictable Surprise: The Unraveling of the U.S. Retirement System,” which explores the history of Social Security, pension plans and other retirement plans, and provides suggestions to reform the retirement system. Dr. Schieber’s book provides a comprehensive overview of the history and theory of retirement in America. His work offers both historical context and real, actionable solutions for one of our nation’s most daunting challenges.

“Syl is without question one of the leading authorities on retirement issues in the United States,” said Gene Wickes, global leader, benefits, at Towers Watson. “His deep understanding and knowledge of retirement and corporate pensions continues to be of great value to everyone involved in reshaping the U.S. retirement system. We congratulate Syl on his book and receiving this distinguished award.”

Dr. Schieber retired from Watson Wyatt Worldwide (now Towers Watson) in September, 2006 but continues to serve in a senior advisory and research capacity at the company. His previous roles at Towers Watson include Vice President/U.S. Director of Benefit Consulting, Director of Research and Information and a member of the company’s board of directors. He is also the former chairman of the Social Security Advisory Board. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Schieber is also the author of several books, including “Fundamentals of Private Pensions,” “Social Security: Perspectives on Preserving the System,” “The Real Deal: The History and Future of Social Security” and “The Economic Implications of Aging Societies: The Costs of Living Happily Ever After,” as well as numerous policy papers and journal articles.

The award is named after Nobel Prize winner Paul A. Samuelson in honor of his achievements in the field of economics, as well as for his service as a CREF trustee from 1974-1985. The Samuelson Award is given annually in recognition of an outstanding research publication containing ideas that the public and private sectors can use to maintain and improve America’s lifelong financial well-being.

About Towers Watson

Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW) is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. The company offers solutions in the areas of benefits, talent management, rewards, and risk and capital management. Towers Watson has 14,000 associates around the world and is located on the web at towerswatson.com.