Restructuring and Other Costs

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Restructuring, Severance and Other Costs [Abstract]

Restructuring, Severance and Other Costs

. Restructuring and Other Costs

As a result of a strategic business realignment announced in 2012, The Hartford is currently focusing on its Property & Casualty, Group Benefits and Mutual Funds businesses. In addition, the Company implemented restructuring activities in 2011 across several areas aimed at reducing overall expense levels. The Company intends to substantially complete the related restructuring activities over the next 24 months. For further discussion of the Company's strategic business realignment and related business disposition transactions, see Note 2 - Business Dispositions of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Termination benefits related to workforce reductions and lease and other contract terminations have been accrued through September 30, 2013. Additional costs, mainly severance benefits and other related costs and professional fees, expected to be incurred subsequent to September 30, 2013, and asset impairment charges, if any, will be expensed as appropriate.

Restructuring and other costs are expected to approximate $150, pre-tax. Restructuring costs and other costs of approximately $137, pre-tax have been incurred by the Company to date in connection with these activities. As the Company executes on its operational and strategic initiatives, the Company's estimate of and actual costs incurred for restructuring activities may differ from these estimates.

Restructuring and other costs, pre-tax incurred by the Company in connection with these activities are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012		2013		2012
Severance benefits and related costs	$	(4	)	$	30	$	2	$	47
Professional fees	2			6		10		14
Asset impairment charges	—			1		5		4
Total restructuring and other costs	$	(2	)	$	37	$	17	$	65

Changes in the accrued restructuring liability balance included in other liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets

are as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Severance Benefits and Related Costs			Professional Fees			Asset Impairment Charges		Total Restructuring and Other Costs
Balance, beginning of period	$	31		$	—		$	—	$	31
Accruals/provisions	2			10			5		17
Payments/write-offs	(29		)	(10		)	—		(39		)
Balance, end of period	$	4		$	—		$	5	$	9

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Severance Benefits and Related Costs			Professional Fees			Asset Impairment Charges			Total Restructuring and Other Costs
Balance, beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Accruals/provisions	47			14			4			65
Payments/write-offs	(38		)	(7		)	(4		)	(49		)
Balance, end of period	$	9		$	7		$	—		$	16