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Company Restructuring
12 Months Ended
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.