Restructuring

During 2017 and 2016, we continued to evaluate our cost structure and further identified cost savings associated with streamlining our management structure and our decision to exit non-strategic businesses. Our 2017 and 2016 restructuring plans consisted of a company-wide workforce reduction of approximately 200 and 230 positions, respectively, and are further detailed below. The charges for the restructuring plan are classified as selling and general expenses within the consolidated statements of income and the reserves are included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

In certain circumstances, reserves are no longer needed because of efficiencies in carrying out the plans or because employees previously identified for separation resigned from the Company and did not receive severance or were reassigned due to circumstances not foreseen when the original plans were initiated. In these cases, we reverse reserves through the consolidated statements of income during the period when it is determined they are no longer needed.

The initial restructuring charge recorded and the ending reserve balance as of September 30, 2017 by segment is as follows:



	2017 Restructuring Plans				2016 Restructuring Plans
(in millions)	Initial Charge Recorded		Ending Reserve Balance		Initial Charge Recorded		Ending Reserve Balance
Ratings	$	15	$	15	$	14	$	4
Market and Commodities Intelligence	5		4		10		5
Indices	—		—		1		—
Corporate	4		4		5		3
Total	$	24	$	23	$	30	$	12

We recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $24 million related to employee severance charges for the 2017 restructuring plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and have reduced the reserve by $1 million. The ending reserve balance for the 2016 restructuring plan was $23 million as of December 31, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we have reduced the reserve for the 2016 restructuring plan by $11 million. The reductions primarily related to cash payments for employee severance charges.