Goodwill and Other Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

The Company is required to assess goodwill and any indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. The Company performs the annual impairment assessment for each of its reporting units during the third quarter of each year. The reporting unit level is defined as the same level as the Company's operating segments. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, a company can assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the quantitative goodwill impairment test.

In 2023, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment. Fair values for the reporting units were estimated using both an income and market valuation approach. The carrying values were based on balances at June 30, 2023 and included directly identified assets and liabilities, as well as an allocation of those assets and liabilities not recorded at the reporting unit level. The Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired, as the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded the carrying value.

Other intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated lives and assessed for impairment upon the occurrence of certain triggering events in accordance with applicable accounting literature. Based on its assessment, the Company concluded that other intangible assets were not impaired. The Company had no indefinite lived identified intangible assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:


(In millions)	2023		2022
Balance at January 1,	$	16,251	$	16,317
Goodwill acquired	813		460
Other adjustments (a)	167		(526)
Balance at December 31,	$	17,231	$	16,251

(a) Primarily reflects the impact of foreign exchange.

The goodwill arising from acquisitions in 2023 and 2022 consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company and the acquired entities and the trained assembled workforce acquired.

The goodwill acquired in 2023 included approximately $230 million and $12 million in the Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting segments, respectively, which is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill acquired in 2022 included approximately $348 million and $64 million in the Risk and Insurance Service and Consulting segments, respectively, which is deductible for tax purposes.

Goodwill allocable to the Company’s reportable segments at December 31, 2023, is $13.2 billion for Risk and Insurance Services and $4.0 billion for Consulting.

The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:


(In millions)	2023						2022
	Gross Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount		Gross Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships	$	4,337	$	1,761	$	2,576	$	3,993	$	1,508	$	2,485
Other (a)	391		337		54		360		308		52
Other intangible assets	$	4,728	$	2,098	$	2,630	$	4,353	$	1,816	$	2,537

(a) Primarily non-compete agreements, trade names and developed technology.

Aggregate amortization expense was $343 million, $338 million, and $365 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The estimated future aggregate amortization expense is as follows:


For the Years Ended December 31,
(In millions)	Estimated Expense
2024	$	351
2025	309
2026	287
2027	278
2028	270
Subsequent years	1,135
Total future amortization	$	2,630