In July owned-by-its-managers EnnisKnupp agreed to be acquired by Hewitt Associates, a large publicly traded Lincolnshire, Ill. human resources consulting firm that would rename itself Hewitt EnnisKnupp and be headed by EnnisKnupp boss Stephen Cummings.

FORBES: Is EnnisKnupp Getting in Bed With Conflicts?

In 2011, 29% of large and midsize employers offered windows, up from 18% in 2007, according to benefits consulting firm Aon Hewitt.

FORBES: Jumping Out The 401(k) Brokerage Window

Another consulting firm, Hewitt, looked at share options and other such rewards granted by big American companies to executives between December 2008 and April 1st 2009.

ECONOMIST: Restraints on executive pay

The new disclosure rules are "going to give employers more control and leverage to negotiate lower fees, " said Pamela Hess, director of retirement research at Aon Hewitt, a human-resources consulting company.

WSJ: 401(k) Plans Step Into the Sunshine

Hewitt's chief executive, Russ Fradin, will run the combined consulting and outsourcing operation, which will be called Aon Hewitt.

FORBES

"You will see another wave of freezes, you expect that, " said Joe McDonald, a principal at Hewitt Associates, a human-resources consulting firm.

FORBES: Magazine Article