AIRINC Recognized as One of
"The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security"

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Associates for International Research (AIRINC), based in Cambridge, Mass.,  
is one of only 10 growing companies earning national acclaim for maintaining its commitment to offer employees extraordinary benefits, despite a chaotic economy.

An independent judging panel of employee benefits experts named AIRINC as one of the 2011 winners of The Principal® 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security, citing generous retirement and health benefits.

“AIRINC faces the same challenges as other businesses. What makes them extraordinary is the priority they place on employee financial security,” said Luke Vandermillen, vice president at The Principal®. “AIRINC understands the direct connection between strong benefits, a strong workforce and a strong bottom line – in the best and worst of times.”

The Principal Financial Group® sponsors the national program, which is now in its tenth year.  It honors growing companies for their commitment to their employees’ financial security.

“AIRINC is really committed to their employees. They are promoting work-life balance. They want to make their employees feel secure from a financial perspective and from a job security perspective. They offer an excellent health care plan and a very generous retirement plan,” said  Lisa G. Kottler, 10 Best judge and senior vice president, Retirement Services Corporate Benefits, NFP Insurance Services, Inc.

AIRINC, a global mobility consultant with 87 employees in the United States, provides cost-of-living services to organizations with personnel working abroad.

“It’s a terrific honor to be selected as one of The Principal 10 Best Companies,” said Steve Brink, CEO, AIRINC. “We believe that our benefits are one of the hallmarks of our organization, especially in these difficult times. Employee benefits are an integral part of our total rewards strategy, to attract, motivate and retain our talent.”

As part of the recognition, The Principal awards a donation to a charity selected by each winning company. AIRINC chose the Boston Fisher House Foundation, Inc. www.fisherhouseboston.org to receive the $2,500 donation.

Jonathan C. Wolff at Lightship Wealth Strategies, Inc., advises on AIRINC’s 401(k) plan, and Kevin O'Connor and Robert Williams, Strategic Employee Benefit Services (division of Northwestern Mutual Insurance), consult on AIRINC’s health and welfare plans.

A summary of best practices from AIRINC and other winners will be published and available in January, 2012, at www.principal.com/10best.

AIRINC joins the following organizations in being named one of The Principal 10 Best--2011 

• Consolidated Federal Credit Union, Portland, Ore.
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Greeley and Hansen, Chicago, Ill.
• Home Builders Institute, Washington, D.C.
• Postal Credit Union, Woodbury, Minn.
• RED F Marketing, Charlotte, N.C.
• Veridian Credit Union, Waterloo, Iowa
• Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, Va.
• Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Edina, Minn.

To learn more about the winners and the judging process, visit www.principal.com/10best.

About Associates for International Research, Inc. (AIRINC)
AIRINC is a human resources firm that facilitates global mobility. Since 1954, AIRINC has provided organizations with cost-of-living services for their personnel working abroad. With 87 employees, AIRINC specializes in developing, implementing, and supporting competitive and equitable compensation systems for organizations with globally mobile workforces. AIRINC manages over 850 client accounts with offices in Cambridge, Mass.; Brussels, Belgium; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Hong Kong.

Benefit Highlights:

• 90 – 100 percent employer-paid medical insurance premiums for employees and dependents
• 100 percent employer-funded health reimbursement account (HRA)
• 401(k) plan with a 50 percent employer match up to 6 percent of pay, with a 3 percent non-matching employer contribution; average employee deferral of 10 percent
• Profit sharing plan 
• 100 percent employer-paid premiums for short- and long-term disability insurance   

About The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security

The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security is a national program that recognizes small– and medium– size companies that excel at giving their employees a financial edge.
For more information, visit www.principal.com/10best.

Scott Sutton
Director of Global Marketing
ssutton@air-inc.com