Income from continuing operations before income taxes was $1.4 billion, a 31% increase from $1.1 billion in 2010. The increase in income was driven by the 2% increase in organic growth, the inclusion of Hewitt's and Glenrand's operating results, lower costs and increased benefits from restructuring initiatives and operational improvement, and favorable foreign currency exchange rates.
The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 27.3% in 2011 and 28.4% in 2010. The 2011 rate reflects the release of a valuation allowance relating to foreign tax credits offset partially by net unfavorable deferred tax adjustments in non-U.S. jurisdictions including the impact of a U.K. tax rate change. The 2010 rate reflects the impact of the Hewitt acquisition in the fourth quarter, the favorable effect of a U.S. pension expense adjustment, which had a tax rate of 40%, and deferred tax adjustments.
(2)In 2007, our principal U.K subsidiary agreed with the trustees of one of the U.K. plans to contribute £9.4 million ($15 million) per year to that pension plan for the next six years, with the amount payable increasing by approximately 5% on each April 1. The trustees of the plan have certain rights to request that our U.K. subsidiary advance an amount equal to an actuarially determined winding-up deficit. As of December 31, 2012, the estimated winding-up deficit was £260 million ($420 million). The trustees of the plan have accepted in practice the agreed-upon schedule of contributions detailed above and have not requested the winding-up deficit be paid.
In 2012, commissions, fees and other revenue increased $109 million, or 1%, from 2011 driven primarily by 4% organic revenue growth, partially offset by a 3% unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Organic revenue growth was driven primarily by strong growth in Asia and emerging markets, solid growth across Latin America and U.S. retail, as well as modest growth in continental Europe.
•Strategic Human Capital delivers advice to complex global organizations on talent, change and organizational effectiveness issues, including talent strategy and acquisition, executive on-boarding, performance management, leadership assessment and development, communication strategy, workforce training and change management.
Consulting services increased $39 million, or 3%, due primarily to organic revenue growth of 4%, driven by solid growth across all businesses with strength in investment consulting, pension administration services for certain project-related work, talent and rewards, and communication consulting, partially offset by a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest income represents income earned on operating cash balances and other income-producing investments. It does not include interest earned on funds held on behalf of clients. Interest income decreased $8 million, or 44%, from 2011, due to a lower average rate and lower cash balances.
Where we have provided notice of cancellation pursuant to a lease agreement or abandoned space and have no intention of reoccupying it, we recognize a loss and corresponding liability. The liability reflects our best estimate of the fair value of the future cash flows associated with the lease at the date we vacate the property or sign a sublease arrangement. To determine the loss and corresponding liability, we estimate sublease income based on all information that is reasonably available, which typically includes current market quotes for similar properties.
The following table summarizes the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for future pension expense and the related target asset mix:
HR Solutions segment revenues consist primarily of fees paid by clients for consulting advice and outsourcing contracts. Fees paid by clients for consulting services are typically charged on an hourly, project or fixed-fee basis. Revenues from time-and-materials or cost-plus arrangements are recognized as services are performed, assuming all other criteria for recognizing revenue have been met. Revenues from fixed-fee contracts are recognized as services are provided using a proportional-performance model or at the completion of a project based on facts and circumstances of the client arrangement. Reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as a component of revenues. The Company's outsourcing contracts typically have three-to-five year terms for benefits services and five-to-ten year terms for human resources business process outsourcing ("HR BPO") services. The Company recognizes revenues as services are performed, assuming all other criteria for recognizing revenue have been met. The Company may also receive implementation fees from clients either up-front or over the ongoing services period as a component of the fee per participant. Lump sum implementation fees received from a client are typically deferred and recognized ratably over the ongoing contract services period. If a client terminates an outsourcing services arrangement prior to the end of the contract, a loss on the contract may be recorded, if necessary, and any remaining deferred implementation revenues would typically be recognized over the remaining service period through the termination date.
Amortization expense from finite-lived intangible assets was $423 million, $362 million and $154 million during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(2)The reduction in equity method investments is primarily due to redemptions.
On August 13, 2010, in connection with the acquisition of Hewitt, Aon entered into an unsecured three-year Term Credit Agreement (the "2010 Term Loan Credit Facility"), which provided unsecured term loan financing of up to $1.0 billion. This Term Loan Credit Facility has an interest rate of LIBOR+2.5%. The Company borrowed $1.0 billion under this facility on October 1, 2010 to finance a portion of the Hewitt purchase price. The Company incurred $26 million of deferred finance costs associated with the Term Loan Credit Facility that were to be amortized over the term of the loan. Concurrent with entering into the Term Loan Credit Facility, the Company also entered into a Senior Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement which provided unsecured bridge financing of up to $1.5 billion (the "Bridge Loan Facility") to finance a portion of the Hewitt purchase price.
During 2012, the Company issued approximately 1.4 million shares in connection with the 2009 Leadership Performance Plan ("LPP") cycle and 0.9 million shares related to other performance plans. During 2011, the Company issued approximately 1.2 million shares in connection with the 2008 LPP cycle and 0.3 million shares related to a 2006 performance plan. During 2010, the Company issued approximately 1.6 million shares in connection with the 2007 LPP cycle and 0.1 million shares related to other performance plans.
Another retail insurance brokerage subsidiary of Aon has been sued in Tennessee state court by a client, Opry Mills Mall Limited Partnership ("Opry Mills") that sustained flood damage to its property in May 2010. The lawsuit seeks $200 million from numerous insurers with whom this Aon subsidiary
As described in Note 16, in connection with the Redomestication, on April 2, 2012, Aon plc entered into various agreements pursuant to which it agreed to guarantee the obligations of Aon Corporation arising under issued and outstanding debt securities. Aon Corporation is a 100% indirectly owned subsidiary of Aon plc. The debt securities that are subject to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X are the 7.375% debt securities due December 2012, the 3.50% senior notes due September 2015, the 3.125% senior notes due May 2016, the 5.00% senior notes due September 2020, the 8.205% junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures due January 2027 and the 6.25% senior notes due September 2040. All guarantees of Aon plc are full and unconditional. There are no subsidiaries of Aon plc that are guarantors of the debt.