COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. We offer a defined contribution plan, which qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and covers all eligible U.S. employees. We can also elect to make matching contributions to the plan. Annual discretionary contributions may also be made to the plan. Defined contribution plan expense, including matching contributions, was approximately (in thousands):



2016	$	25,740
2015	46,507
2014	30,112

We have committed to a defined contribution match of four percent of eligible compensation in 2017. We contributed a defined contribution match of four percent in 2016, 2015, and 2014.

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. All restricted shares vested but not yet delivered, as well as a deferred share award granted to our CEO, are held within this plan.

LEASE COMMITMENTS. We lease certain facilities and equipment under operating leases. Information regarding our lease expense is as follows (in thousands):



2016	$	55,170
2015	56,210
2014	56,871

Minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):



2017	$	47,034
2018	38,531
2019	32,249
2020	29,716
2021	24,393
Thereafter	113,786
Total	$	285,709

In addition to minimum lease payments, we are typically responsible under our lease agreements to pay our pro rata share of maintenance expenses, common charges, and real estate taxes of the buildings in which we lease space.

LITIGATION. We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including 18 contingent auto liability cases as of December 31, 2016. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are not able to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In February 2017, we resolved an outstanding legal claim. The outcome of the resolution will be an $8.75 million increase in operating income in the first quarter of 2017.