XML 76 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of other intangible assets by asset class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets with finite lives, gross carrying amount | $ 4,680 | $ 4,446 |
Intangible assets with finite lives, accumulated amortization | 2,457 | 2,266 |
Intangible assets, net | 2,223 | 2,180 |
Amortization expense on intangible assets | 277 | 314 | $ 352
Tradenames |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets with finite lives, gross carrying amount | 998 | 1,019 |
Intangible assets with finite lives, accumulated amortization | 0 | 0 |
Intangible assets, net | 998 | 1,019 |
Customer related and contract based |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets with finite lives, gross carrying amount | 3,108 | 2,886 |
Intangible assets with finite lives, accumulated amortization | 1,971 | 1,809 |
Intangible assets, net | 1,137 | 1,077 |
Technology and other |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets with finite lives, gross carrying amount | 574 | 541 |
Intangible assets with finite lives, accumulated amortization | 486 | 457 |
Intangible assets, net | $ 88 | $ 84 |

X
- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16212-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph ((a)(1),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=aon_CustomerRelatedAndContractBasedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=aon_MarketingTechnologyAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |