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Company Restructuring | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] |
Company Restructuring |
Note 13 | Company Restructuring
The Company undertakes various programs to reduce expenses. These programs generally involve a reduction in staffing levels, and in certain cases, office closures. Restructuring and related charges primarily include employee severance and relocation benefits, and post-exit rent expenses in connection with these programs, and non-cash charges resulting from pension benefit payments made to agents and certain legal expenses and settlements incurred in connection with the 1999 reorganization of Allstate’s multiple agency programs to a single exclusive agency program. The expenses related to these activities are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring and related charges, and totaled $109 million, $30 million and $39 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Restructuring expenses in 2017 primarily related to Allstate brand claims process changes and office closures due to increased efficiencies and improvements in digital technology, a voluntary termination program extended to certain employees, outsourcing of certain functions, legal expenses and settlements, as well as realigning or consolidating departments within the Allstate, Esurance and Encompass operations.
Changes in the restructuring liability
($ in millions) |  | Employee costs |  | Exit costs |  | Total liability
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 2 |
Expense incurred |  | 47 |  |  | 42 |  |  | 89 |
Adjustments to liability |  | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | (3 | )
Payments applied against liability |  | (29 | ) |  | (14 | ) |  | (43 | )
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |  | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | 30 |  |  | $ | 45 |
The payments applied against the liability for employee costs primarily reflect severance costs, and the payments for exit costs generally consist of post-exit rent expenses and contract termination penalties. As of December 31, 2017, the cumulative amount incurred to date for active programs totaled $103 million for employee costs and $104 million for exit costs.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2175745 + Details
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