Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations: Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (the "Company"), a global professional services firm, is organized based on the different services that it offers. Under this structure, the Company’s two business segments are Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting.

The Risk and Insurance Services segment provides risk management solutions, services, advice and insurance broking, reinsurance broking and insurance program management services for businesses, public entities, insurance companies, associations, professional services organizations, and private clients. The Company conducts business in this segment through Marsh and Guy Carpenter.

The Company conducts business in its Consulting segment through Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group. Mercer provides consulting expertise, advice, services and solutions in the areas of health, wealth and career consulting services and products. Oliver Wyman Group provides specialized management and economic and brand consulting services.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Fiduciary Assets And Liabilities

Fiduciary Assets and Liabilities: In its capacity as an insurance broker or agent, generally the Company collects premiums from insureds and after deducting its commissions, remits the premiums to the respective insurance underwriters. The Company also collects claims or refunds from underwriters on behalf of insureds. Unremitted insurance premiums and claims proceeds are held by the Company in a fiduciary capacity. Risk and Insurance Services revenue includes interest on fiduciary funds of $65 million, $39 million and $26 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Consulting segment recorded fiduciary interest income of $3 million, $4 million and $3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Since fiduciary assets are not available for corporate use, they are shown in the consolidated balance sheets as an offset to fiduciary liabilities.

Net uncollected premiums and claims and the related payables were $7.3 billion and $6.8 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company is not a principal to the contracts under which the right to receive premiums or the right to receive reimbursement of insured losses arises. Accordingly, net uncollected premiums and claims and the related payables are not assets and liabilities of the Company and are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In certain instances, the Company advances premiums, refunds or claims to insurance underwriters or insureds prior to collection. These advances are made from corporate funds and are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as receivables.

Mercer manages assets in trusts or funds for which Mercer’s management or trustee fee is not considered a variable interest, since the fees are commensurate with the level of effort required to provide those services. Mercer is not the primary beneficiary of these trusts or funds. Mercer’s maximum exposure to loss of its interests is, therefore, limited to collection of its fees.

Revenue

Revenue: The Company provides detailed discussion regarding its revenue policies in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of certificates of deposit and time deposits, with original maturities of three months or less, and money market funds. The estimated fair value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value. The Company is required to maintain operating funds primarily related to regulatory requirements outside the United States or as collateral under captive insurance arrangements.

Fixed Assets

Fixed Assets: Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of an asset, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in income. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

Depreciation of buildings, building improvements, furniture, and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of these assets. Furniture and equipment is depreciated over periods ranging from three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods covered by the applicable leases or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is less. Buildings are depreciated over periods ranging from thirty to forty years. The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that the carrying value of assets may not be recoverable.

Investments

Investments: The caption "Investment (loss) income" in the consolidated statements of income comprises realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments recognized in earnings. It includes, when applicable, other than temporary declines in the value of securities, mark-to-market increases or decreases in equity investments with readily determinable fair values and equity method gains or losses on the Company's investments in private equity funds.

The Company holds certain equity investments, that under legacy GAAP, were previously classified as available for sale securities, whereby the mark-to-market change was recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income in its consolidated balance sheet. As discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted new accounting guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment that increased retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption by $14 million, reflecting the reclassification of cumulative unrealized gains, net of tax as of December 31, 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Prior periods have not been restated.

The Company holds investments in certain private equity funds. Investments in private equity funds are accounted for under the equity method of accounting using a consistently applied three-month lag period adjusted for any known significant changes from the lag period to the reporting date of the Company. The underlying private equity funds follow investment company accounting, where investments within the fund are carried at fair value. Investment gains or losses for its proportionate share of the change in fair value of the funds are recorded in earnings. Investments using the equity method of accounting are included in "other assets" in the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents acquisition costs in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment. The Company performs an annual impairment test for each of its reporting units during the third quarter of each year. When a step 1 test is performed, fair values of the reporting units are estimated using either a market approach or a discounted cash flow model. Carrying values for the reporting units are based on balances at the prior quarter end and include directly identified assets and liabilities as well as an allocation of those assets and liabilities not recorded at the reporting unit level. As discussed in Note 6, the Company may elect to assess qualitative factors to determine if a step 1 test is necessary. Other intangible assets, which primarily consist of acquired customer lists, that are not deemed to have an indefinite life, are amortized over their estimated lives, typically ranging from 10 to 15 years, and reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of certain triggering events in accordance with applicable accounting literature.

Capitalized Software Costs

Capitalized Software Costs: The Company capitalizes certain costs to develop, purchase or modify software for the internal use of the Company. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 3 to 10 years. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage and post implementation stage, are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized. Costs related to updates and enhancements are only capitalized if they will result in additional functionality.

Legal and Other Loss Contingencies

Legal and Other Loss Contingencies: The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to a significant number of claims, lawsuits and proceedings including claims for errors and omissions ("E&O"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires that a liability be recorded when a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Significant management judgment is required to apply this guidance. The Company utilizes case level reviews by inside and outside counsel, an internal actuarial analysis by Oliver Wyman Group, a subsidiary of the Company, and other methods to estimate potential losses. The liability is reviewed quarterly and adjusted as developments warrant. In many cases, the Company has not recorded a liability, other than for legal fees to defend the claim, because we are unable, at the present time, to make a determination that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Given the unpredictability of E&O claims and of litigation that could flow from them, it is possible that an adverse outcome in a particular matter could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s businesses, results of operations, financial condition or cash flow in a given quarterly or annual period.

In addition, to the extent that insurance coverage is available, significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of recoveries that are probable of collection under the Company’s various insurance programs.

The legal and other contingent liabilities described above are not discounted.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The Company's effective tax rate reflects its income, statutory tax rates and tax planning in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Significant judgment is required in determining the annual tax provision and in evaluating uncertain tax positions and the ability to realize deferred tax assets.

The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process. The first step involves recognition. The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on only the technical merits of the position. The technical merits of a tax position derive from both statutory and judicial authority (legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings, and case law) and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements. The second step is measurement. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not-recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate resolution with a taxing authority. Uncertain tax positions are evaluated based upon the facts and circumstances that exist at each reporting period. Subsequent changes in judgment based upon new information may lead to changes in recognition, de-recognition, and measurement. Adjustments may result, for example, upon resolution of an issue with the taxing authorities, or expiration of a statute of limitations barring an assessment for an issue. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Tax law may require items be included in the Company's tax returns at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements. As a result, the annual tax expense reflected in the consolidated statements of income is different than that reported in the income tax returns. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in the returns, and some differences are temporary and reverse over time, such as depreciation expense. Temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in tax returns in future years for which benefit has already been recorded in the financial statements. Valuation allowances are established for deferred tax assets when it is estimated that future taxable income will be insufficient to use a deduction or credit in that jurisdiction. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized in the financial statements for which payment has been deferred, or expense for which a deduction has been taken already in the tax return but the expense has not yet been recognized in the financial statements.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments: All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. The fair value of the derivative is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet in other receivables or accounts payable and accrued liabilities. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income and are recognized in the income statement when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value attributable to the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings.

Concentrations Of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk: Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, commissions and fees receivable and insurance recoverables. The Company maintains a policy providing for the diversification of cash and cash equivalent investments and places its investments in a large number of high quality financial institutions to limit the amount of credit risk exposure. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are generally limited due to the large number of clients and markets in which the Company does business, as well as the dispersion across many geographic areas.

Per Share Data

Per Share Data: Basic net income per share attributable to the Company and income from continuing operations per share are calculated by dividing the respective after-tax income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

Diluted net income per share attributable to the Company and income from continuing operations per share are calculated by dividing the respective after-tax income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, which have been adjusted for the dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares.

Estimates

Estimates: GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may vary from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements Effective January 1, 2018:

The following new accounting standards were adopted using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018:

New Revenue Recognition Standard

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method, which applies the new guidance beginning with the year of adoption, with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2018. The Company elected to apply the modified retrospective method to all contracts.

The guidance includes requirements to estimate variable or contingent consideration to be received, which will result in revenue being recognized earlier than under legacy GAAP. In addition, the guidance requires the capitalization and amortization of certain costs which were expensed as incurred under legacy GAAP. The adoption of this new revenue recognition standard shifted revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment among quarters from historical patterns, but did not have a significant year-over-year impact on annual revenue in either segment.

Upon adoption of the new revenue standard, the Company recognized significant movement in the quarterly timing of revenue recognized in the Risk and Insurance Services segment. In particular, under the new standard the recognition of revenue for reinsurance broking was accelerated from historical patterns. Estimated revenue from these treaties is recognized largely at the policy effective date at which point control over the services provided by the Company transfers to the client and the client has accepted the services. This resulted in a significant increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Prior to the adoption of this standard, revenue related to most reinsurance placements was recognized on the later of billing or effective date as premiums are determined by the primary insurers and attached to the reinsurance treaties. Typically, this resulted in revenue being recognized over a 12 to 18 month period.

Under the new standard, certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract that were previously expensed as incurred have been capitalized.

The Company capitalized the incremental costs to obtain contracts primarily related to commissions or sales bonus payments in both segments. These deferred costs are amortized over the expected life of the underlying customer relationships.

In the Risk and Insurance Services segment, certain pre-placement costs to fulfill are now deferred and amortized into earnings when revenue from the placement is recognized. These costs were previously expensed as incurred. As such, the recognition of costs shifted among quarters.

In Consulting, the Company incurs implementation costs necessary to facilitate the delivery of the contracted services. The Company has concluded that certain additional implementation costs previously expensed under legacy GAAP will be deferred under the new guidance. In addition, the amortization period for these implementation costs will include the initial contract term plus expected renewals.

The cumulative effect of adopting the standard, net of tax, on January 1, 2018 resulted in an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings of $364 million, with offsetting increases/decreases to other balance sheet accounts, e.g. accounts receivable, other assets and deferred income taxes. The comparative prior period information was not restated and will continue to be reported under the legacy accounting standards that were in effect for those periods.

The impact of adoption of the new revenue standard on the Company's consolidated income statement was as follows (in millions):



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Revenue Standard Impact			Legacy GAAP
Revenue	$	14,950		$	2		$	14,952
Expense:
Compensation and benefits	8,605			17			8,622
Other operating expenses	3,584			—			3,584
Operating expenses	12,189			17			12,206
Operating income	2,761			(15		)	2,746
Other net benefit credits	215			—			215
Interest income	11			—			11
Interest expense	(290		)	—			(290		)
Investment (loss) income	(12		)	—			(12		)
Acquisition related derivative contracts	(441		)	—			(441		)
Income before income taxes	2,244			(15		)	2,229
Income tax expense	574			(4		)	570
Net income before non-controlling interests	1,670			(11		)	1,659
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	20			—			20
Net income attributable to the Company	$	1,650		$	(11	)	$	1,639

The impact of adoption of the new revenue standard on the Company's consolidated balance sheet was as follows (in millions):



	December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Revenue Standard Impact			Legacy GAAP
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,066		$	—		$	1,066
Net receivables	4,317			(68		)	4,249
Other current assets	551			(326		)	225
Total current assets	5,934			(394		)	5,540
Goodwill and intangible assets	11,036			—			11,036
Fixed assets, net	701			—			701
Pension related assets	1,688			—			1,688
Deferred tax assets	680			107			787
Other assets	1,539			(242		)	1,297
TOTAL ASSETS	$	21,578		$	(529	)	$	21,049

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	314		$	—		$	314
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,234			(129		)	2,105
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	1,778			—			1,778
Acquisition related derivatives	441			—			441
Accrued income taxes	157			—			157
Total current liabilities	4,924			(129		)	4,795
Fiduciary liabilities	5,001			—			5,001
Less - cash and investments held in a fiduciary capacity	(5,001		)	—			(5,001		)
	—			—			—
Long-term debt	5,510			—			5,510
Pension, post-retirement and post-employment benefits	1,911			—			1,911
Liabilities for errors and omissions	287			—			287
Other liabilities	1,362			(25		)	1,337
Total equity	7,584			(375		)	7,209
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	21,578		$	(529	)	$	21,049

The impact of adoption of the new revenue standard on the Company's consolidated statement of cash flow was as follows (in millions):



	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Revenue Standard Impact			Legacy GAAP
Operating cash flows:
Net income before non-controlling interests	$	1,670		$	(11	)	$	1,659
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and capitalized software	311			—			311
Amortization of intangible assets	183			—			183
Adjustments and payments related to contingent consideration liability	(4		)	—			(4		)
Loss on deconsolidation of entity	11			—			11
Benefit for deferred income taxes	(39		)	—			(39		)
Loss on investments	12			—			12
Gain on disposition of assets	(48		)	—			(48		)
Change in fair value of acquisition related derivative contracts	441			—			441
Share-based compensation expense	193			—			193
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net receivables	(78		)	—			(78		)
Other current assets	26			8			34
Other assets	(37		)	12			(25		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	23			(7		)	16
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	68			—			68
Accrued income taxes	(40		)	—			(40		)
Contributions to pension and other benefit plans in excess of current year expense/credit	(291		)	—			(291		)
Other liabilities	9			(2		)	7
Effect of exchange rate changes	18			—			18
Net cash provided by operations	$	2,428		$	—		$	2,428

The adoption of the revenue recognition standard did not have an impact on the Company's financing or investing cash flows.

Other Standards Adopted Effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance requires investments in equity securities (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; and requires a reporting organization to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk (also referred to as "own credit") when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. The new guidance was effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company holds certain equity investments that under legacy GAAP were previously treated as available for sale securities, whereby the mark-to-market change was recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income in its consolidated balance sheet. The Company adopted the new accounting guidance, effective January 1, 2018, recording a cumulative-effect adjustment increase to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption of $14 million, reflecting the reclassification of cumulative unrealized gains, net of tax as of December 31, 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Therefore, prior periods have not been restated.

In October 2016, the FASB also issued new guidance which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The new guidance eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The new guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018, recording a cumulative-effect adjustment decrease to retained earnings of approximately $14 million as of the beginning of the period of adoption.

The impact on the Company's balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 related to the adoption of the accounting standards using the modified retrospective approach as discussed above is as follows:



			Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2017		Revenue Recognition			Financial Instruments			Intra-Entity Transfer			Balance at January 1, 2018
Balance Sheet
Assets
Net Receivables	$	4,133	$	68		$	—		$	—		$	4,201
Other Current Assets	224		318			—			—			542
Other Assets	1,430		226			—			—			1,656
Deferred Tax Assets	669		(103		)	—			(14		)	552
Liabilities
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	2,083		122			—			—			2,205
Other Liabilities	1,311		23			—			—			1,334
Equity
Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income	—		—			(14		)	—			(14		)
Retained Earnings	$	13,140	$	364		$	14		$	(14	)	$	13,504

Cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of the revenue recognition standard

The cumulative effect adjustment recorded to net receivables and other current assets is primarily related to contingent brokerage revenue and quota share reinsurance brokerage. Under the new guidance, the Company is required to record an estimate of variable or contingent consideration earlier than under the previous rules. Also under the new guidance, revenue related to most reinsurance placements is accelerated versus previous patterns.

The cumulative effect adjustments also includes the capitalization of costs to fulfill and costs to obtain that are included in other current assets and other assets, respectively. These costs were previously expensed as incurred. The adjustment to accounts payable and accrued liabilities includes deferred revenue related to the timing of fee revenue recognition for fee based arrangements and certain post placement servicing costs, primarily related to reinsurance brokerage costs that were previously expensed as incurred.

Adoption of amended accounting standard using the retrospective application approach

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted new guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement cost (''net periodic benefit costs"). The new guidance requires employers to report the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs in the same line item as other compensation costs in the income statement. The other components of net periodic benefit costs are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The new guidance requires retrospective application for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic benefit costs. Accordingly, we have reclassified prior period information in the consolidated results of operations, segment data and related disclosures contained in our notes to the consolidated financial statements to reflect the retrospective adoption of this standard.

Other accounting standards adopted effective January 1, 2018

In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance, which is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented, effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which adds or clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows, including cash payments for debt prepayments or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination and distributions received from equity method investees. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies the definition of a business in order to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Other accounting standards adopted in prior years

In April 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires that companies record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as an income tax benefit or expense in the income statement and classify excess tax benefits as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this new guidance prospectively, effective January 1, 2017 and prior periods have not been adjusted. The adoption of this new standard reduced income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income by approximately $28 million and $79 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company recorded an excess tax benefit of $44 million as an increase to equity in its consolidated balance sheets, which was reflected as cash provided by financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that amends required fair value measurement disclosures. The guidance adds new requirements, eliminates some current disclosures and modifies other required disclosures. The new disclosure requirements, along with modifications made to disclosures as a result of the change in requirements for narrative descriptions of measurement uncertainty, must be applied on a prospective basis. The effects of all other amendments included in the guidance must be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. Adoption of this guidance will impact disclosures only and will not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that amends disclosures related to Defined Benefit Plans. The guidance removes disclosures that no longer are considered cost-beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance must be applied on a retrospective basis. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. Adoption of this guidance will impact disclosures only and will not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the test for goodwill impairment. The new guidance eliminates the second step in the current two-step goodwill impairment process, under which a goodwill impairment loss is measured by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill for that reporting unit. The new guidance requires a one-step impairment test, in which the goodwill impairment charge is based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The guidance should be applied on a prospective basis with the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle disclosed upon transition. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance intended to improve financial reporting for leases. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification, which for lessees, will be defined as either financing or operating leases under the new guidance. However, unlike current GAAP, which only requires recognition of capital leases on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires that both types of leases be recognized on the balance sheet. The new guidance will require additional disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, and additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements.

The new guidance on leases became effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective method. Prior period information will not be restated. The cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance is recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2019. The Company has elected to apply the set of practical expedients at transition, which among other things, allows the Company to carry forward historical lease classifications. As a practical expedient, the Company elected an accounting policy not to separate non-lease components from lease components and instead, account for these components as a single lease component. The Company has made an accounting policy election not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases, that at the commencement date, are for 12 months or less. Substantially all of the Company’s leases are operating leases.

The Company expects to recognize a lease liability of approximately $1.8 billion and a corresponding right-of-use asset ("ROU asset") of approximately $1.6 billion, including the reclassification of approximately $200 million of unamortized lease incentives and restructuring liabilities, upon the adoption of this standard, with minimal impact on the consolidated statement of income.