Share-Based Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income in Compensation and benefits (in millions):


	Years Ended December 31
	2021		2020		2019
Restricted share units	$	204	$	186	$	198
Performance share awards	189		116		110

Employee share purchase plans and other (1)	56		10		9
Total share-based compensation expense	449		312		317
Tax benefit	87		61		66
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	362	$	251	$	251

(1) Includes expenses related to the Aon United Growth Ownership Plan.

Restricted Share Units

RSUs generally vest between three and five years. The fair value of RSUs is based upon the market value of the Company’s class A ordinary shares at the date of grant. With certain limited exceptions, any break in continuous employment will cause the forfeiture of all non-vested awards. Compensation expense associated with RSUs is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Dividend equivalents are paid on certain RSUs, based on the initial grant amount.

The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s RSUs (shares in thousands, except fair value):


	Years Ended December 31
	2021			2020			2019
	Shares	Fair Value at Date of Grant (1)		Shares	Fair Value at Date of Grant (1)		Shares	Fair Value at Date of Grant (1)
Non-vested at beginning of year	3,309	$	163	3,634	$	143	4,208	$	120
Granted	1,257	$	253	1,329	$	185	1,306	$	175
Vested	(1,248)	$	151	(1,426)	$	133	(1,661)	$	113
Forfeited	(243)	$	184	(228)	$	157	(219)	$	131
Non-vested at end of year	3,075	$	203	3,309	$	163	3,634	$	143

(1)Represents per share weighted average fair value of award at date of grant.

The fair value of RSUs that vested during 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $189 million, $190 million, and $187 million, respectively.

Unamortized deferred compensation expense amounted to $447 million as of December 31, 2021, with a remaining weighted average amortization period of approximately 2.1 years.

Performance Share Awards

The vesting of PSAs is contingent upon meeting a cumulative level of earnings per share related performance over a three-year period. The actual issuance of shares may range from 0-200% of the target number of PSAs granted, based on the terms of the plan and level of achievement of the related performance target. The grant date fair value of PSAs is based upon the market price of the Company’s class A ordinary shares at the date of grant. The performance conditions are not considered in the determination of the grant date fair value for these awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the performance period based on management’s estimate of the number of units expected to vest. Management evaluates its estimate of the actual number of shares expected to be issued at the end of the programs on a quarterly basis. The cumulative effect of the change in estimate is recognized in the period of change as an adjustment to Compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income, if necessary. Dividend equivalents are not paid on PSAs.

The following table summarizes the Company’s target PSAs granted and shares that would be issued at current performance levels for PSAs granted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively (shares in thousands and dollars in millions, except fair value):


	2021		2020		2019
Target PSAs granted during period	382		500		467
Weighted average fair value per share at date of grant	$	225	$	163	$	165
Number of shares that would be issued based on current performance levels	737		970		888
Unamortized expense, based on current performance levels	$	122	$	51	$	—

During 2021, the Company issued approximately 0.5 million shares in connection with performance achievements related to the 2018-2020 LPP. During 2020, the Company issued approximately 0.6 million shares in connection with performance achievements related to the 2017-2019 LPP cycle. During 2019, the Company issued approximately 0.7 million shares in connection with performance achievements related to the 2016-2018 LPP cycle.