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Restructuring
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring Restructuring

During 2019 and 2018, 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 2019 and 2018 restructuring plans consisted of a company-wide workforce reduction of approximately 300 and 160 positions, respectively, and are further detailed below. The charges for each 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. There were approximately $3 million of reserves from the 2018 restructuring plan that we have reversed in 2019, which offset the initial charge of $25 million recorded for the 2018 restructuring plan. There were approximately $6 million of reserves from the 2017 restructuring plan that we have reversed in 2018, which offset the initial charge of $44 million recorded for the 2017 restructuring plan.

The initial restructuring charge recorded and the ending reserve balance as of December 31, 2019 by segment is as follows:
 
2019 Restructuring Plan
 
2018 Restructuring Plan
(in millions)
Initial Charge Recorded
 
Ending Reserve Balance
 
Initial Charge Recorded
 
Ending Reserve Balance
Ratings
$
11

 
$
7

 
$
8

 
$
—

Market Intelligence
6

 
5

 
7

 
1

Platts
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

Corporate
7

 
6

 
10

 
1

Total
$
25

 
$
18

 
$
25

 
$
2



For the year ended December 31, 2019, we have reduced the reserve for the 2019 restructuring plan by $7 million and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we have reduced the reserve for the 2018 restructuring plan by $22 million and $1 million, respectively. The reductions primarily related to cash payments for employee severance charges.