Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Investments

Investments

8.  Investments

The Company earns income on cash balances and investments, as well as on premium trust balances that Aon maintains for premiums collected from insureds but not yet remitted to insurance companies, and funds held under the terms of certain outsourcing agreements to pay certain obligations on behalf of clients.  Premium trust balances and a corresponding liability are included in Fiduciary assets and Fiduciary liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

The Company’s interest-bearing assets and other investments are included in the following categories in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (in millions):

	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010
Cash and cash equivalents	$	295	$	346
Short-term investments	607		785
Fiduciary assets	4,109		3,489
Investments	254		312
	$	5,265	$	4,932

The Company’s investments are as follows (in millions):

	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010
Equity method investments	$	172	$	174
Other investments, at cost (1)	67		123
Fixed-maturity securities	15		15
	$	254	$	312

(1)  The reduction in other investments is primarily due to sales and redemptions.