In October 2019, the Company announced its plans to reduce its operating expenses, including global restructuring. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred approximately $1.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to these plans.

In February 2019, we announced the restructuring of certain of our workforce predominantly in Germany, which included the closure of our office location in Munich, Germany accompanied by relocation or severance benefits for the affected employees. We also offered voluntary early retirement to certain other employees, which was announced in March 2019. The restructuring is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

In January 2018, we announced an early retirement incentive program for employees that met certain requirements. The cumulative amount incurred during the year ended December 31, 2018 related to this restructuring program was $7.3 million, of which $0.3 million and $7.2 million was incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. We do not expect to incur any additional expenses related to this restructuring program.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring liability, which is included in accrued wages and benefits in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, is as follows:

	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 30, 2019			September 30, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,655		$	185
Plus: Amounts charged to cost and expense		1,195			4,658
Less: Amounts paid		(252	)		(1,245	)
Balance at end of period	$	3,598		$	3,598

The components of restructuring expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2019		2018		2019		2018
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	531	$	261	$	2,078	$	2,661
Research and development expenses		602		—		1,833		1,814
Cost of sales		62		—		747		2,761
Total restructuring expenses	$	1,195	$	261	$	4,658	$	7,236

The following table represents the components of restructuring expense by geographic area for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)	2019		2018		2019		2018
Domestic	$	1,116	$	256	$	1,941	$	7,096
International		79		5		2,717		140
Total restructuring expenses	$	1,195	$	261	$	4,658	$	7,236