Exhibit A General Release of Claims

Exhibit 10.53

Exhibit A

General Release of Claims

Hewitt Associates. Inc. and Hewitt Associates LLC (collectively, the “Company”), and Dale L. Gifford (“Gifford”) agree (collectively, the Company, together with its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, successors and assigns in such capacity, and the current, future and former employees, officers, directors, trustees and agents thereof are referred to throughout this General Release of Claims as the “Employer”) (collectively, Gifford, together with his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns hereof of are collectively referred to throughout this General Release of Claims as the “Employee”) as follows:

1. Last Day of Employment. Gifford’s last day of employment with the Company was September 30, 2006. This General Release of Claims is entered into pursuant to the letter agreement between Gifford and the Company, dated September 7, 2006 (“Letter Agreement”). Gifford acknowledges and agrees that, after September 30, 2006, he will not represent himself as being a director, employee, officer, trustee, agent or representative of the Company for any purpose. Effective September 5, 2006, Gifford resigned from all offices and directorships held with, or on behalf of, the Company and all subsidiaries and affiliates.

2. Consideration. The parties acknowledge that this General Release of Claims is being executed in accordance with Section 3 of the Letter Agreement and in consideration of certain payments to be paid to Gifford thereunder.

3. Revocation. Employee may revoke this General Release of Claims for a period of seven (7) calendar days following the day he executes this General Release of Claims. Any revocation within this period must be submitted, in writing, to Employer and state, “I hereby revoke my acceptance of our General Release of Claims.” The revocation must be personally delivered or mailed to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer, Hewitt Associates, Inc., 100 Half Day Road, Lincolnshire, Illinois 600069 and postmarked within seven (7) calendar days of execution of this General Release of Claims. This General Release of Claims shall not become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired. If the last day of the revocation period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in Illinois, then the revocation period shall not expire until the next following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

4. General Release of Claims. Employee knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges Employer from any and all claims, causes of action, demands, fees and liabilities of any kind whatsoever, whether known and unknown, against Employer, Employee has, has ever had or may have as of the date of execution of this General Release of Claims, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sole matters to which the General Release of Claims does not apply are; (i) the Employee’s rights of indemnification and directors and officers liability insurance coverage to which he was entitled immediately prior to September 30, 2006 with regard to Ms service as an officer and director of the Employer (including, without limitation, under Section 10(e)of the Letter Agreement); (ii) the Employee’s rights under any tax-qualified pension or claims for accrued vested benefits under any other employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the Employer or under COBRA; or (iii) the Employee’s rights as a stockholder.

5. No Claims Permitted. Employee waives his right to file any charge or complaint against Employer arising out of his employment with or separation from Employer before any federal, state or local court or any state or local administrative agency, except where such waivers are prohibited by law. This Agreement, however, does not prevent Employee from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, any other federal government agency, and/or any government agency concerning claims of discrimination, although Employee waives his right to recover any damages or other relief in any claim or suit brought by or through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other state or local agency on behalf of Employee under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other federal or state discrimination law, except where such waivers are prohibited by law.

A-2

6. Affirmations. Employee affirms he has not filed, has not caused to be filed, and is not presently a party to, any claim, complaint, or action against Employer in any forum or form. Employee further affirms that he has been paid and/or has received all compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits to which he may be entitled and no other compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions and/or benefits are due to him, except as provided in Section 5 and 6 of the Letter Agreement. Employee also affirms he has no known workplace injuries.

7. Reaffirmation of Covenants, Public Statements. Assistance; Return of Property. Employee reaffirms his obligations under Sections 2,4, 8 and 9 of the Letter Agreement. Employee represents that he has returned to the Employer all property belonging to the Employer, including but not limited to any leased vehicle, laptop, cell phone, keys, access cards, phone cards and credit cards.

8. Governing Law and Interpretation. This General Release of Claims shall be governed and conformed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to the conflict of laws principles of any jurisdiction. In the event Employee or Employer breaches any provision of this Agreement and General Release, Employee and Employer affirm either may institute an action to specifically enforce any term or terms of this General Release of Claims only in accordance with Section 10(d) of the Letter Agreement. Should any provision of this Agreement and General Release be declared illegal or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction and should the provision be incapable of being modified to be enforceable, such provision shall immediately become null and void, leaving the remainder of this General Release of Claims in full force and effect, excepting the Company’s obligation under Section 5 of the Letter Agreement. Nothing herein, however, shall operate to void or nullify any general release language contained in this General Release of Claims.

9. Nonadmission of Wrongdoing. Employee agrees that neither this General Release of Claims nor the furnishing of the consideration for this Release shall be deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by Employer of any liability or unlawful conduct of any kind.

10. Amendment. This General Release of Claims may not be modified, altered or changed except upon the express written consent of both parties wherein specific reference is made to this General Release of Claims.

11. Entire Agreement. The Letter Agreement and this General Release of Claims set forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto and fully supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties. Employee acknowledges he has not relied on any representations, promises, or agreements of any kind made to him in connection with his decision to accept this General Release of Claims.

EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT HE HAS UP TO TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAYS TO REVIEW THIS GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND HAS BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS.

EMPLOYEE AGREES ANY MODIFICATIONS, MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE, MADE TO THIS GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS DO NOT RESTART OR AFFECT IN ANY MANNER THE ORIGINAL TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD.

A-3

HAVING ELECTED TO EXECUTE THIS GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS, TO FULFILL THE PROMISES SET FORTH HEREIN, AND TO RECEIVE THE SUMS AND BENEFITS SET FORTH IN THE LETTER AGREEMENT, EMPLOYEE FREELY AND KNOWINGLY, AND AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION, ENTERS INTO THIS GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS INTENDING TO WAIVE, SETTLE AND RELEASE ALL CLAIMS HE HAS OR MIGHT HAVE AGAINST EMPLOYER.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto knowingly and voluntarily executed this General Release of Claims as of the date set forth below:

A-4

Exhibit B

AGREEMENT

The term “Hewitt” as used in this Agreement shall include Hewitt Associates LLC and its affiliated, parent, partner, predecessors and subsidiary entities as well as its successors and assigns.

I understand that I am employed by Hewitt and will learn, have learned and will have and have had access to Hewitt’s confidential, trade secret and proprietary information and to its clients, suppliers, vendors or affiliates to which I would not have access but for my participation in the Hewitt Leadership Group and my employment by Hewitt I understand that the products and services that Hewitt develops, provides and markets are unique. Further, I know that my promises in this Agreement are an important way for Hewitt to protect its proprietary interests.

In addition to other good and valuable consideration, pursuant to a letter agreement with Hewitt, dated September 7, 2006 (“Letter Agreement”), I will be expressly paid a certain amount in connection with my separation of employment with Hewitt in exchange for this Agreement among other agreements. In consideration of the foregoing, I agree as follows:

1. Disclosure of Confidential Information. I will not, without Hewitt’s prior permission, directly or indirectly utilize or disclose to anyone outside of Hewitt, either during or after my employment or relationship with Hewitt ends, trade secrets or other confidential information of Hewitt, or any information received in confidence from third parties by Hewitt or about third parties by Hewitt, as long as such matters remain trade secrets or confidential. Trade secrets and other confidential information shall include any information or material which is not generally known to the public and which is generated or collected by or utilized in the operations of Hewitt and relates to the actual or anticipated business of Hewitt. Information made generally known to the public through improper means shall nonetheless be considered confidential and/or trade secrets. The confidentiality obligations herein shall not prevent me from revealing evidence of criminal wrongdoing to law enforcement or prohibit me from divulging confidential information or trade secrets by order of court or agency of competent jurisdiction; however, I shall promptly inform Hewitt of any such situations in advance of such disclosure.

2. Ownership of Work. I hereby assign to Hewitt my entire right, title and interest in any work that I perform while employed by Hewitt that relates in any way to the actual or demonstrably anticipated business of Hewitt. I acknowledge that the copyright and any other intellectual property right in such work and related documentation, and work of authorship, which are created within the scope of my relationship with Hewitt, belong to Hewitt.

3. Return of Property and Copying. I agree that all materials in my possession or control as a result of my employment with Hewitt which in any way relate to Hewitt’s business shall be the sole property of Hewitt. I will at any time upon the request of Hewitt and in any event promptly upon termination of my employment or relationship with Hewitt, deliver all such materials to Hewitt and will not retain any originals or copies of such materials. I also agree that I will not copy or remove from Hewitt’s place of business property or information belonging to Hewitt or entrusted to Hewitt or provide any such materials to any competitor of Hewitt without the express written consent of Hewitt.

4. Protection of Proprietary Interests.

(a) I agree that during my employment or relationship with Hewitt and for 24 months thereafter I will not, directly or indirectly, in any capacity solicit or provide products or services competitive with or similar to products or services offered by Hewitt to any person, company or entity that was a Hewitt client or potential client for such products or services and with which I had direct or indirect contact regarding those products or services at any time during the last 18 months of my employment or relationship with Hewitt.

(b) I agree that that during my employment or relationship with Hewitt and for 24 months thereafter, I will not directly or indirectly, in any capacity, conduct business on behalf of or become employed by, associated with, own, manage or operate any business which provides products or services competitive with or similar to products or services offered by Hewitt within 30 miles of any office of Hewitt from which I conducted business during the last 18 months of my employment or relationship with Hewitt

(c) I agree that during my employment or relationship with Hewitt and for 24 months thereafter, I will not, directly or indirectly hire, solicit, or attempt to hire any employee or independent contractor of Hewitt or any person who was an employee or independent contractor of Hewitt during the 6 months preceding the termination of my employment or relationship with Hewitt.

5. Jurisdiction, Choice of Law, In Injunctive Relief and Attorney Fees. I consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of Illinois and the application of Illinois law with respect to any matter arising out of this Agreement. In the event of a breach or a threatened breach of this Agreement by me, I acknowledge that Hewitt will face irreparable injury which may be difficult to calculate in dollar terms and that Hewitt shall be entitled, in addition to remedies otherwise available at law or in equity, to temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions and final injunctions enjoining such breach or threatened breach. In the event Hewitt shall successfully enforce any part of this Agreement through legal proceedings, I agree to pay Hewitt all costs and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by Hewitt in connection therewith.

6. Amendment, Severability and Merger. With respect to the subject matter hereof, this Agreement is my entire agreement with Hewitt, and it amends all previous oral or written understandings or agreements, if any, made by or with Hewitt regarding the same subject matter. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement by Hewitt shall be construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach or as a modification of such provision. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable and in the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be found by any court to be unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder of this Agreement as well as the provisions of my prior agreement, if any, regarding the same subject matter as that which was found unenforceable herein shall nevertheless be enforceable and binding on the parties. I also agree that the court may modify any invalid, overbroad or unenforceable term of this Agreement so that such term, as modified, is valid and enforceable under applicable law. Further, I affirmatively state that I have not, will not and cannot rely on any representations not expressly made herein.

7. Assignability. The rights herein may be assigned by Hewitt and shall bind and inure to the benefit of Hewitt’s successors, assigns, heirs and representatives. If Hewitt makes any assignment of the rights herein, I agree that this Agreement shall remain binding upon me in any event.

B-2

8. Change of Position. I acknowledge and agree that any change in my position or title with Hewitt shall not cause this Agreement to terminate and shall not effect any change in my obligations under this Agreement as long as my relationship remains with Hewitt.

9. Acceptance. I agree that this Agreement is accepted by me through my original, electronic or facsimile signature or acknowledgement. I further agree that Hewitt is deemed to have accepted this Agreement as evidenced by my employment or relationship with Hewitt, the payment of wages or monies to me and by Hewitt’s agreement to the Separation Agreement.

B-3