Back to GetFilings.com




QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-7933

Aon Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  36-3051915
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

200 E. RANDOLPH STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

60601
(Zip Code)

(312) 381-1000
(Registrant's Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)

 

 

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES ý    NO o

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    YES ý    NO o

        Number of shares of common stock outstanding:

Class
  No. Outstanding
as of 6-30-04

$1.00 par value Common   315,843,936





Part I
Financial Information
Aon Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 
  As of
 
(millions)

  June 30, 2004
  Dec. 31,
2003

 
 
  (Unaudited)

   
 
ASSETS              
Investments              
  Fixed maturities at fair value   $ 3,075   $ 2,751  
  Equity securities at fair value     39     42  
  Short-term investments     4,077     3,815  
  Other investments     738     716  
   
 
 
    Total investments     7,929     7,324  
Cash     510     540  
Receivables              
  Risk and insurance brokerage services and consulting     8,874     8,607  
  Other receivables     1,498     1,504  
   
 
 
    Total receivables     10,372     10,111  
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs     1,080     1,021  
Goodwill
    (net of accumulated amortization: 2004—$795; 2003—$805)
    4,511     4,509  
Other Intangible Assets
    (net of accumulated amortization: 2004—$330; 2003—$300)
    166     176  
Property and Equipment     745     827  
Other Assets     2,457     2,519  
   
 
 
  TOTAL ASSETS   $ 27,770   $ 27,027  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              
Insurance Premiums Payable   $ 10,954   $ 10,368  
Policy Liabilities              
  Future policy benefits     1,520     1,396  
  Policy and contract claims     1,818     1,609  
  Unearned and advance premiums and contract fees     2,862     2,869  
  Other policyholder funds     59     58  
   
 
 
    Total Policy Liabilities     6,259     5,932  
General Liabilities              
  General expenses     1,331     1,498  
  Short-term borrowings     58     53  
  Notes payable     2,000     2,095  
  Other liabilities     2,401     2,533  
   
 
 
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     23,003     22,479  
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities              
Redeemable Preferred Stock     50     50  
Stockholders' Equity              
  Common stock—$1 par value     338     336  
  Paid-in additional capital     2,324     2,283  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (930 )   (861 )
  Retained earnings     3,925     3,679  
  Less—Treasury stock at cost     (784 )   (784 )
    Deferred compensation     (156 )   (155 )
   
 
 
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     4,717     4,498  
   
 
 
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 27,770   $ 27,027  
   
 
 

See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



Aon Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

 
  Second Quarter Ended
  Six Months Ended
 
(millions except per share data)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

 
Revenue                          
  Brokerage commissions and fees   $ 1,760   $ 1,688   $ 3,552   $ 3,341  
  Premiums and other     716     635     1,408     1,267  
  Investment income     69     89     150     168  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total revenue     2,545     2,412     5,110     4,776  
   
 
 
 
 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  General expenses     1,822     1,776     3,657     3,448  
  Benefits to policyholders     392     325     775     670  
  Interest expense     35     27     69     55  
  Amortization of intangible assets     15     15     29     28  
  Unusual charges—World Trade Center         9         46  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total expenses     2,264     2,152     4,530     4,247  
   
 
 
 
 

Income from continuing operations before income tax and minority interest

 

 

281

 

 

260

 

 

580

 

 

529

 
  Provision for income tax     101     96     209     195  
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before minority interest     180     164     371     334  
  Minority interest—8.205% trust preferred capital securities         (9 )       (18 )
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations     180     155     371     316  
   
 
 
 
 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Loss from discontinued operations     (9 )   (15 )   (36 )   (28 )
  Income tax benefit     (2 )   (6 )   (8 )   (10 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax     (7 )   (9 )   (28 )   (18 )
   
 
 
 
 

Net income

 

$

173

 

$

146

 

$

343

 

$

298

 
   
 
 
 
 
  Preferred stock dividends             (1 )   (1 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net income available for common stockholders   $ 173   $ 146   $ 342   $ 297  
   
 
 
 
 

Basic net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Income from continuing operations   $ 0.56   $ 0.49   $ 1.16   $ 1.00  
  Discontinued operations     (0.02 )   (0.03 )   (0.09 )   (0.06 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income   $ 0.54   $ 0.46   $ 1.07   $ 0.94  
   
 
 
 
 

Dilutive net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Income from continuing operations   $ 0.54   $ 0.49   $ 1.13   $ 1.00  
  Discontinued operations     (0.02 )   (0.03 )   (0.09 )   (0.06 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income   $ 0.52   $ 0.46   $ 1.04   $ 0.94  
   
 
 
 
 

Cash dividends per share paid on common stock

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.30

 
   
 
 
 
 

Dilutive average common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

 

337.1

 

 

318.2

 

 

329.2

 

 

316.7

 
   
 
 
 
 

See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



Aon Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

 
  Six Months Ended
 
(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:              
  Net income   $ 343   $ 298  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities              
    Loss on sale of discontinued operations     20      
    Insurance operating assets and liabilities, net of reinsurance     148     19  
    Amortization of intangible assets     29     28  
    Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software     126     119  
    Income taxes     34     15  
    Special and unusual charges and purchase accounting liabilities     (7 )   (2 )
    Valuation changes on investments, income on disposals and impairments     (48 )   (68 )
    Other receivables and liabilities—net     41     340  
   
 
 
      Cash Provided by Operating Activities     686     749  
   
 
 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Sale of investments              
    Fixed maturities              
      Maturities     74     121  
      Calls and prepayments     43     42  
      Sales     407     939  
    Equity securities     3     22  
    Other investments     47     (3 )
  Purchase of investments              
    Fixed maturities     (777 )   (1,370 )
    Equity securities     (7 )   (1 )
    Other investments          
  Short-term investments—net     (255 )   (206 )
  Acquisition of subsidiaries     (53 )   (41 )
  Proceeds from sale of operations     12     30  
  Property and equipment and other—net     (41 )   (105 )
   
 
 
      Cash Used by Investing Activities     (547 )   (572 )
   
 
 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Issuance of common stock     14      
  Treasury stock transactions—net         (6 )
  Issuance of short-term borrowings—net     4     144  
  Issuance of long-term debt     3     119  
  Repayment of long-term debt     (96 )   (303 )
  Interest sensitive, annuity and investment-type contracts—withdrawals         (57 )
  Cash dividends to stockholders     (96 )   (95 )
   
 
 
      Cash Used in Financing Activities     (171 )   (198 )
   
 
 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

 

 

2

 

 

7

 
   
 
 
Decrease in Cash     (30 )   (14 )
Cash at Beginning of Period     540     484  
   
 
 
Cash at End of Period   $ 510   $ 470  
   
 
 

See the accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.    Statement of Accounting Principles

        The financial results included in this report are stated in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and are unaudited but include all normal recurring adjustments which the Registrant (Aon) considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. These interim figures are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year as further discussed below.

        Refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for additional details of Aon's financial position, as well as a description of the accounting policies which have been continued without material change.

        Certain amounts in the 2003 condensed consolidated financial statements relating to discontinued operations have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.

        Aon applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for its stock option plan as the exercise price of the options equaled the market price of the stock at the date of grant. Compensation expense has been recognized for stock awards based on the vesting period and the market price at the date of the award.

        The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if Aon had applied the fair value recognition provision of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.

 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

(millions except per share data)

  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net income, as reported   $ 173   $ 146   $ 343   $ 298
Add: Stock based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects     6     7     14     12
Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards and options, net of related tax effects     10     13     21     25
   
 
 
 
Pro forma net income   $ 169   $ 140   $ 336   $ 285
   
 
 
 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Basic                        
    As reported   $ 0.54   $ 0.46   $ 1.07   $ 0.94
    Pro forma   $ 0.53   $ 0.44   $ 1.05   $ 0.90
  Dilutive                        
    As reported   $ 0.52   $ 0.46   $ 1.04   $ 0.94
    Pro forma   $ 0.51   $ 0.44   $ 1.02   $ 0.90

        The pro forma information reflected above may not be representative of the amounts to be expected in future years as the fair value method of accounting contained in FASB Statement No. 123 has not been applied to options and awards granted prior to January 1995.

5



        In December 2001, Aon's underwriting subsidiaries invested $227 million in Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd. (Endurance), formerly known as Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd., a Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance company formed to provide additional underwriting capacity to commercial property and casualty insurance and reinsurance clients. The investment in Endurance is carried under the equity method, and is included in Other Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the carrying value of Aon's common stock investment in Endurance was $284 million and $298 million, representing approximately 9.9 million and 11.3 million shares, respectively. During first quarter 2004, Aon sold approximately 1.4 million shares of Endurance stock which resulted in a pretax gain of approximately $11 million.

        In conjunction with the initial 2001 common stock investment, Aon's underwriting subsidiaries also received 4.1 million stock purchase warrants which allow Aon to purchase additional Endurance common stock through December 2011. These warrants meet the definition of a derivative as described in FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which requires them to be recorded in the financial statements at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings on a current basis. Through December 31, 2002, these warrants had been carried at zero value, which approximated their original cost. In first quarter 2003, Endurance completed its initial public offering, which provided a market value for the underlying shares and removed much of the uncertainty regarding the fair value of Endurance and the warrants. With the assistance of an independent third party, Aon has valued the warrants using the Black-Scholes pricing methodology and determined the warrants had a fair value of approximately $84 million, $80 million and $66 million as June 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, respectively. The increase in value of the warrants was $0 million and $21 million for the second quarters ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $4 million and $66 million for the first six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

        The valuation assumptions used in the model were as follows:

 
  June 30,
2004

  December 31,
2003

  June 30,
2003

 
•    Maturity (in years)     7.46     7.96     8.46  
•    Spot Price   $ 29.71   $ 30.50   $ 27.52  
•    Risk Free Interest Rate     5.04 %   4.50 %   3.74 %
•    Dividend Yield     0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %
•    Volatility     20 %   24 %   27 %
•    Exercise Price   $ 13.20   $ 15.96   $ 17.28  

        The model assumes: the warrants are "European-style", which means they are valued as if the exercise can only occur on the expiration date; the spot and exercise prices are reduced by expected future dividends; and the dividend remains unchanged during the period the warrants are outstanding. Although Endurance currently pays a dividend, a zero dividend yield is used in the Endurance warrants valuation, since the future dividend payment value has been reflected in the spot and exercise valuation price.

        The increase in value was recognized as investment income in the Corporate and Other segment. The future value of the warrants may vary considerably from the value at June 30, 2004 due to the price movement of the underlying shares, as well as the passage of time and changes in other factors that are employed in the valuation model.

6



2.    Accounting and Disclosure Changes

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51, (FIN 46). In December 2003, the FASB modified FIN 46 to make certain technical corrections and address certain implementation issues that had arisen. FIN 46 provides a new framework for identifying variable interest entities (VIEs) and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, non-controlling interests and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements.

        In general, a VIE is a corporation, partnership, limited-liability corporation, trust, or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to finance its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has equity owners at risk that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive expected residual returns generated by its operations.

        FIN 46 requires a VIE to be consolidated if a party with an ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the VIE ("a variable interest holder") is obligated to absorb a majority of the risk of expected loss from the VIE's activities, is entitled to receive a majority of the VIE's expected residual returns (if no party absorbs a majority of the VIE's expected losses), or both. A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE's assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on majority voting interest. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about VIEs that the variable interest holder is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest.

        FIN 46 was effective immediately for VIEs created after January 31, 2003. The provisions of FIN 46, as revised, were adopted as of December 31, 2003 for Aon's interests in VIEs that are special purpose entities (SPEs). Aon adopted the provisions of FIN 46 for its variable interests in all other VIEs as of March 31, 2004, which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

        In January 1997, Aon created Aon Capital A, a wholly-owned statutory business trust, for the purpose of issuing mandatorily redeemable preferred capital securities (Capital Securities). The sole asset of Aon Capital A is $726 million aggregate principal amount of Aon's 8.205% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due January 1, 2027.

        Aon has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of Aon Capital A, a VIE, and was required to deconsolidate the Trust based on the provisions of FIN 46 on December 31, 2003. Prior to the deconsolidation of Aon Capital A, after-tax interest incurred on the Capital Securities was reported as minority interest in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Beginning first quarter 2004, interest expense on the notes payable is reported as part of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income. There was no effect on net income or consolidated stockholders' equity as a result of this deconsolidation. Prior periods were not restated.

        In December 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 132 (revised 2003), Employers' Disclosures about Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits. This Statement revises employers' disclosures about pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. It does not change the measurement or recognition provisions of FASB Statements No. 87, Employers' Accounting for Pensions, No. 88, Employers' Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits, or No. 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.

7



This Statement retains the disclosure requirements contained in the original FASB Statement No. 132, Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, which it replaces. It requires additional disclosures about the assets, obligations, cash flows, and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. The required information is to be provided separately for pension plans and for other postretirement benefit plans.

        The provisions of the original Statement 132 remain in effect until the provisions of the revised Statement are adopted. Except as noted below, the revised Statement is effective for financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The interim-period disclosures required by the revised Statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. The additional disclosure of information about foreign plans required by the revised statement is effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. In addition, disclosure of the benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five fiscal years, and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter is effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004.

        Aon adopted the disclosure requirements for its domestic plans effective with its 2003 Form 10-K. Aon's interim-period disclosures can be found in footnote 11. Aon's disclosures about its foreign plans will be included with its 2004 Form 10-K.

        In July 2003, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 03-1, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts (SOP 03-1). SOP 03-1 provides guidance on accounting and reporting by insurance enterprises for certain nontraditional long-duration contracts and for separate accounts. SOP 03-1 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2003. SOP 03-1 may not be applied retroactively to prior years' financial statements, and initial application should be as of the beginning of an entity's fiscal year. Aon adopted SOP 03-1 as of January 1, 2004. The adoption of SOP 03-1 did not have a significant impact on the results of operations or equity of the Company, but did affect the classification and presentation of certain balance sheet items. At June 30, 2004, other assets decreased by $54 million, which was offset by an increase in fixed maturities of $42 million, short-term investments of $6 million, other investments of $5 million and other receivables of $1 million. Correspondingly, the related $54 million of other liabilities declined by $49 million, offset by an increase in future policy benefits of $49 million.

8



3.    Income Per Share

        Income per share is calculated as follows:

 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
(millions except per share data)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Basic net income:                          
  Income from continuing operations   $ 180   $ 155   $ 371   $ 316  
  Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax     (7 )   (9 )   (28 )   (18 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income     173     146     343     298  
  Redeemable preferred stock dividends             (1 )   (1 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income for basic per share calculation   $ 173   $ 146   $ 342   $ 297  
   
 
 
 
 

Dilutive net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Income from continuing operations   $ 180   $ 155   $ 371   $ 316  
  Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax     (7 )   (9 )   (28 )   (18 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income     173     146     343     298  
  After-tax interest expense-convertible debt securities     2         2      
  Redeemable preferred stock dividends             (1 )   (1 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income for diluted per share calculation   $ 175   $ 146   $ 344   $ 297  
   
 
 
 
 

Basic shares outstanding

 

 

319

 

 

316

 

 

319

 

 

316

 
Effect of convertible debt securities     14         7      
Common stock equivalents     4     2     3     1  
   
 
 
 
 
Dilutive potential common shares     337     318     329     317  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per share:                          
  Income from continuing operations   $ 0.56   $ 0.49   $ 1.16   $ 1.00  
  Discontinued operations     (0.02 )   (0.03 )   (0.09 )   (0.06 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income   $ 0.54   $ 0.46   $ 1.07   $ 0.94  
   
 
 
 
 
Dilutive net income per share:                          
  Income from continuing operations   $ 0.54   $ 0.49   $ 1.13   $ 1.00  
  Discontinued operations     (0.02 )   (0.03 )   (0.09 )   (0.06 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income   $ 0.52   $ 0.46   $ 1.04   $ 0.94  
   
 
 
 
 

        Certain common stock equivalents related to options were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. The number of options excluded from the quarterly calculation was 17 million and 18 million at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. For six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the number of options excluded was 17 million and 24 million, respectively.

        Aon's 3.5% convertible debt securities may be converted into a maximum of 14 million shares of Aon's common stock. These securities are convertible into Aon common stock at an initial conversion price of approximately $21.475 per common share under certain circumstances, including if the closing price of Aon's common stock exceeds 120% of the conversion price (i.e. $25.77) for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the previous fiscal quarter.

9


        During first quarter 2004, the closing price of Aon's common stock exceeded the 120% threshold for more than 20 of the last 30 trading days in the quarter. Therefore, these shares have been included in the computation of diluted net income per share for second quarter and first six months 2004. After-tax interest expense on the debt securities has been added back to income from continuing operations for the same periods.

        During second quarter 2004, the closing price of Aon's common stock exceeded the 120% threshold for more than 20 of the last 30 trading days in the quarter. As a result, the debt securities will be convertible at the option of the holder at any time during the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

4.    Comprehensive Income

        The components of comprehensive income, net of related tax, for second quarter ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

 
  Second quarter ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net income   $ 173   $ 146   $ 343   $ 298
Net derivative gains (losses)     (12 )   9     (10 )   3
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)     (50 )   25     (10 )   28
Net foreign exchange gains (losses)     (19 )   98     (49 )   137
   
 
 
 
Comprehensive income   $ 92   $ 278   $ 274   $ 466
   
 
 
 

        The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related tax, are as follows:

(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  December 31,
2003

 
Net derivative gains   $ 40   $ 50  
Net unrealized investment gains     10     20  
Net foreign exchange translation     (74 )   (25 )
Net additional minimum pension liability     (906 )   (906 )
   
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   $ (930 ) $ (861 )
   
 
 

5.    Business Segments

        Aon classifies its businesses into three operating segments: Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services, Consulting, and Insurance Underwriting. A fourth segment, Corporate and Other, when aggregated with the operating segments and after the elimination of intersegment revenues, totals to the amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

        The Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment consists primarily of Aon's retail, reinsurance and wholesale brokerage operations, as well as related insurance services, including underwriting management, captive insurance company management services, claims services, and premium financing. The Consulting segment provides a full range of human capital management services delivered predominantly to corporate clientele utilizing five major practices: employee benefits, compensation, management consulting, communications and human resource outsourcing. The Insurance Underwriting segment provides specialty insurance products including supplemental accident, health and life insurance coverages, extended warranty, credit and select property and casualty insurance products. Corporate and Other segment revenue consists primarily of investment income from equity, fixed-maturity and short-term investments that are assets primarily of the insurance underwriting subsidiaries

10



that exceed policyholders liabilities and which may include non-income producing equities, and income and losses on disposals of all securities, including those pertaining to assets maintained by the operating segments. Corporate and Other general expenses include administrative and certain information technology costs.

        Certain amounts in prior periods' condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to reflect sold businesses as discontinued operations.

        The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Aon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, except that the disaggregated financial results have been prepared using a management approach, which is consistent with the basis and manner in which Aon senior management internally disaggregates financial information for the purposes of assisting in making internal operating decisions. Aon evaluates performance based on stand-alone operating segment income before income taxes and generally accounts for intersegment revenue as if the revenue were to third parties, that is, at current market prices.

        Revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the resources producing the revenues. Intercompany revenues and expenses are eliminated in computing consolidated revenues and income before tax.

        Revenue from continuing operations for Aon's segments follows:

 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
(millions)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services   $ 1,433   $ 1,404   $ 2,898   $ 2,760  
Consulting     305     292     606     572  
Insurance Underwriting     805     692     1,586     1,401  
Corporate and Other     18     40     54     71  
Intersegment revenues     (16 )   (16 )   (34 )   (28 )
   
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 2,545   $ 2,412   $ 5,110   $ 4,776  
   
 
 
 
 

11


        Aon's operating segments' geographic revenue and income before income tax follows:

 
  Risk and Insurance
Brokerage Services

   
   
  Insurance
Underwriting

 
  Consulting
Second quarter ended June 30:
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Revenue                                    
  United States   $ 616   $ 625   $ 191   $ 189   $ 542   $ 489
  United Kingdom     255     276     50     45     123     88
  Continent of Europe     299     265     35     32     65     52
  Rest of World     263     238     29     26     75     63
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue   $ 1,433   $ 1,404   $ 305   $ 292   $ 805   $ 692
   
 
 
 
 
 

Income before income tax

 

$

212

 

$

180

 

$

28

 

$

22

 

$

73

 

$

64
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Risk and Insurance
Brokerage Services

   
   
  Insurance
Underwriting

 
  Consulting
Six months ended June 30:
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Revenue                                    
  United States   $ 1,194   $ 1,191   $ 365   $ 366   $ 1,054   $ 977
  United Kingdom     489     526     102     88     255     202
  Continent of Europe     725     613     82     69     128     100
  Rest of World     490     430     57     49     149     122
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue   $ 2,898   $ 2,760   $ 606   $ 572   $ 1,586   $ 1,401
   
 
 
 
 
 

Income before income tax

 

$

454

 

$

415

 

$

54

 

$

43

 

$

126

 

$

127
   
 
 
 
 
 

12


        Selected information for Aon's Corporate and Other segment follows:

 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
(millions)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Revenue:                          
Income from marketable equity securities and other investments:                          
  Income from change in fair value Endurance warrants   $   $ 21   $ 4   $ 66  
  Equity earnings—Endurance     18     13     34     20  
  Other     3     2     5     3  
   
 
 
 
 
      21     36     43     89  
   
 
 
 
 
Limited partnership investments     2         6      
   
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) on disposals and related expenses:                          
  Gain on sale of Endurance stock             11      
  Impairment write-downs     (1 )   (5 )   (2 )   (33 )
  Other     (4 )   9     (4 )   15  
   
 
 
 
 
      (5 )   4     5     (18 )
   
 
 
 
 
Total revenue     18     40     54     71  
   
 
 
 
 
Expenses:                          
  General expenses     15     10     39     26  
  Interest expense(1)     35     27     69     55  
  Unusual charges—World Trade Center         9         46  
   
 
 
 
 
Total expenses     50     46     108     127  
   
 
 
 
 
Loss before income tax   $ (32 ) $ (6 ) $ (54 ) $ (56 )
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Upon the adoption of FIN 46 on December 31, 2003, Aon was required to deconsolidate its trust preferred capital securities, which was offset by an increase in notes payable. Interest expense for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004 includes $15 million and $29 million, respectively, on these notes payable.

6.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

        In accordance with FASB Statement No. 142, Aon's goodwill is no longer amortized. Goodwill and other intangible assets are allocated to various reporting units, which are either its operating segments or one reporting level below the operating segment. Statement No. 142 requires Aon to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount on an annual basis to determine if there is potential impairment of goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value at the valuation date, an impairment loss would be recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the recorded amount of goodwill. Fair value is estimated based on various valuation metrics.

13



        The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2004 are as follows:

(millions)

  Risk and
Insurance
Brokerage
Services

  Consulting
  Insurance
Underwriting

  Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2003   $ 3,886   $ 381   $ 242   $ 4,509  
Goodwill acquired     35             35  
Goodwill related to divestitures     (7 )   (5 )       (12 )
Intersegment transfers     4     (4 )        
Foreign currency revaluation     (21 )   (1 )   1     (21 )
   
 
 
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2004   $ 3,897   $ 371   $ 243   $ 4,511  
   
 
 
 
 

        Intangible assets are classified into three categories:


        Amortizable intangible assets by asset class follow:

(millions)

  Customer
Related and
Contract Based

  Present Value
of Future
Profits

  Marketing,
Technology
and Other

  Total
As of June 30, 2004                        
  Gross carrying amount   $ 222   $ 87   $ 187   $ 496
  Accumulated amortization     171     61     98     330
   
 
 
 
  Net carrying amount   $ 51   $ 26   $ 89   $ 166
   
 
 
 
(millions)

  Customer
Related and
Contract Based

  Present Value
of Future
Profits

  Marketing,
Technology
and Other

  Total
As of December 31, 2003                        
  Gross carrying amount   $ 223   $ 87   $ 166   $ 476
  Accumulated amortization     163     50     87     300
   
 
 
 
  Net carrying amount   $ 60   $ 37   $ 79   $ 176
   
 
 
 

        Amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 is estimated to be $54 million, $49 million, $39 million, $17 million and $12 million, respectively.

7.    Business Combinations

        For second quarter and first six months 2004, Aon made payments of $2 million and $5 million, respectively, on restructuring charges and purchase accounting liabilities relating to business combinations.

        Aon has remaining liabilities of $36 million for lease abandonments and other exit costs related to prior acquisitions which are being paid out over several years as planned.

14



        The following table sets forth recent activity relating to these liabilities:

(millions)
   
 
Balance at December 31, 2002   $ 51  
Cash payments in 2003     (14 )
Cash payments in 2004     (5 )
Foreign currency revaluation     4  
   
 
Balance at June 30, 2004   $ 36  
   
 

        All of Aon's unpaid liabilities relating to acquisitions are reflected in general expense liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

8.    Business Transformation Plan

        In fourth quarter 2000, after final approval by its Board of Directors, Aon began a comprehensive business transformation plan designed to enhance client service, improve productivity through process redesign and accelerate growth. In connection with the overall plan and strategic initiatives, Aon recorded total net expenses of $294 million over the three years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 that were reflected in general expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

        All of the terminations have occurred and are related to the Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment in the U.S. and the U.K.

        For second quarter and first six months 2004, Aon made payments of $0 million and $1 million respectively, related to the business transformation plan.

        The following table sets forth recent activity related to the liability for termination benefits and other costs to exit an activity:

(millions)

  Termination
Benefits

  Other Costs
to Exit an
Activity

  Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2002   $ 27   $ 1   $ 28  
Cash payments in 2003     (16 )   (1 )   (17 )
Cash payments in 2004     (1 )       (1 )
   
 
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2004   $ 10   $   $ 10  
   
 
 
 

        All of Aon's unpaid liabilities relating to the business transformation plan are reflected in general expense liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial position. Termination benefits of $5 million and $3 million are expected to be paid in the remainder of 2004 and 2005, respectively, with the remainder payable thereafter.

15


9.    Capital Stock

        During the first six months 2004, Aon issued 1,388,000 shares of common stock for employee benefit plans and 406,000 shares in connection with the employee stock purchase plan. There were 22.4 million shares of common stock held in treasury at June 30, 2004, of which all but 32,000 shares are restricted as to their reissuance.

10.    Discontinued Operations

        In second quarter 2004, Aon decided to sell its U.K. reinsurance brokerage runoff unit included in the Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment. This operation was sold in early third quarter 2004 for a nominal pretax gain, which will be recognized in third quarter 2004. In first quarter 2004, Aon decided to sell certain of its U.K. claims services businesses included in that Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment. The sale of all but one business was completed during that quarter. Aon reached an agreement to sell this remaining business in early second quarter 2004. The operating results of all these businesses are classified as discontinued operations, and prior year's operating results have been reclassified to discontinued operations, as follows:

 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
(millions)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Revenues   $ 9   $ 20   $ 29   $ 38  
   
 
 
 
 
Pretax loss:                          
  Operations   $ (9 ) $ (5 ) $ (16 ) $ (10 )
  Revaluation             (24 )    
   
 
 
 
 
    Total   $ (9 ) $ (5 ) $ (40 ) $ (10 )
   
 
 
 
 
After-tax loss:                          
  Operations   $ (7 ) $ (3 ) $ (11 ) $ (7 )
  Revaluation             (17 )    
   
 
 
 
 
    Total   $ (7 ) $ (3 ) $ (28 ) $ (7 )
   
 
 
 
 

        Also in first quarter 2004, Aon sold a non-core Consulting subsidiary. Included in the loss from discontinued operations in first six months 2004 was a gain on sale of this business of $4 million ($0 million after-tax). For second quarter and first six months 2003, revenues attributable to that unit, reclassified to discontinued operations, were $2 million and $4 million, respectively, with a pretax operating loss of $1 million ($0 million after-tax) and $2 million ($1 million after-tax), respectively.

        In third quarter 2003, Aon decided to sell its automobile finance servicing business, which has been in run-off since first quarter 2001. The sale was completed in fourth quarter 2003. Operating results from prior periods attributable to this unit have been reclassified as discontinued operations. Revenue of this business was $4 million and $8 million for second quarter and first six months 2003, respectively, with a pretax loss of $9 million ($6 million after-tax) and $16 million ($10 million after-tax), respectively. In first quarter 2004, this business had a nominal pretax loss.

16


        The assets and liabilities of the above discontinued operations are immaterial to the condensed consolidated statements of financial position at both June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.

        Prior to its acquisition by Aon, A&A discontinued its property and casualty insurance underwriting operations in 1985, some of which were then placed into run-off, with the remainder sold in 1987. In connection with those sales, A&A provided indemnities to the purchaser for various estimated and potential liabilities, including provisions to cover future losses attributable to insurance pooling arrangements, a stop-loss reinsurance agreement and actions or omissions by various underwriting agencies previously managed by an A&A subsidiary.

        As of June 30, 2004, the liabilities associated with the foregoing indemnities were included in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial position. Such liabilities amounted to $19 million, net of reinsurance recoverables and other assets of $84 million.

        The insurance liabilities represent estimates of known and future claims expected to be settled over the next 20 to 30 years, principally with regards to asbestos, pollution and other health exposures.

        Although these insurance liabilities represent a best estimate of the probable liabilities, adverse developments may occur given the nature of the information available and the variables inherent in the estimation processes. Based on current estimates, management believes that the established liabilities of discontinued operations are sufficient.

11.    Net Periodic Benefit Cost

        The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for Aon's U.S. plans:

 
  Pension Benefits
  Other Benefits
Second quarter ended June 30:
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Service cost   $ 18   $ 13   $ 1   $ 1
Interest cost     22     19     1     1
Expected return on plan assets     (23 )   (19 )      
Amortization of prior service cost     (1 )   (1 )      
Amortization of net loss     6     3     (1 )  
   
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 22   $ 15   $ 1   $ 2
   
 
 
 
 
  Pension Benefits
  Other Benefits
Six months ended June 30:
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Service cost   $ 33   $ 26   $ 2   $ 2
Interest cost     43     38     2     2
Expected return on plan assets     (46 )   (38 )      
Amortization of prior service cost     (1 )   (1 )      
Amortization of net loss     11     5     (1 )  
   
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 40   $ 30   $ 3   $ 4
   
 
 
 

17


        The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs for Aon's material international pension plans, which are located in the U.K. and The Netherlands:

 
  Pension Benefits
 
 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
(millions)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Service cost   $ 16   $ 13   $ 32   $ 26  
Interest cost     46     40     92     78  
Expected return on plan assets     (41 )   (35 )   (82 )   (69 )
Amortization of net loss     17     15     35     30  
   
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 38   $ 33   $ 77   $ 65  
   
 
 
 
 

        Aon previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 that it expected to contribute $28 million in 2004 to its U.S. defined benefit pension plans to satisfy minimum funding requirements and $8 million to fund other postretirement benefit plans. As of June 30, 2004, contributions of $1 million have been made to the U.S. pension plans and $4 million to other postretirement benefit plans. Due to a change in U.S. pension legislation, Aon currently expects to contribute a minimum of $3 million in 2004 to its U.S. pension plans.

        Aon previously disclosed in its 2003 financial statements that, based on current rules and assumptions, it expected to contribute $195 million in 2004 to its major defined benefit pension plans including $167 million for its major international defined benefit pension plans. Based on current rules and assumptions, Aon now plans to contribute $164 million to its major international defined pension plans during 2004. As of June 30, 2004, $92 million has been contributed.

18


12.    Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

        The following table analyzes our investment positions with unrealized losses segmented by quality and period of continuous unrealized loss (excluding deferred amortizable derivative losses of $2 million) as of June 30, 2004.

 
  Investment Grade
 
($ in millions)

  0-6
Months

  6-12
Months

  > 12
Months

  Total
 
FIXED MATURITIES                          
  U.S. Government & Agencies                          
    # of positions     33     1         34  
    Fair Value   $ 364   $ 14   $   $ 378  
    Amortized Cost     370     14         384  
    Unrealized Loss     (6 )           (6 )
  States & Political Subdivisions                          
    # of positions     31         1     32  
    Fair Value   $ 102   $   $ 1   $ 103  
    Amortized Cost     104         1     105  
    Unrealized Loss     (2 )           (2 )
  Foreign Government                          
    # of positions     68     6     8     82  
    Fair Value   $ 573   $ 156   $ 92   $ 821  
    Amortized Cost     581     161     97     839  
    Unrealized Loss     (8 )   (5 )   (5 )   (18 )
  Corporate & Asset Backed                          
    # of positions     217     7     81     305  
    Fair Value   $ 479   $ 21   $ 183   $ 683  
    Amortized Cost     488     22     192     702  
    Unrealized Loss     (9 )   (1 )   (9 )   (19 )
  Mortgage Backed                          
    # of positions     115     3     4     122  
    Fair Value   $ 105   $ 9   $ 11   $ 125  
    Amortized Cost     106     9     12     127  
    Unrealized Loss     (1 )       (1 )   (2 )
TOTAL FIXED MATURITIES                          
    # of positions     464     17     94     575  
    Fair Value   $ 1,623   $ 200   $ 287   $ 2,110  
    Amortized Cost     1,649     206     302     2,157  
    Unrealized Loss     (26 )   (6 )   (15 )   (47 )
   
% of Total Unrealized Loss

 

 

55

%

 

13

%

 

32

%

 

100

%

        For categorization purposes, Aon considers any rating of Baa or higher by Moody's Investor Services or equivalent rating agency to be investment grade. Aon has no fixed maturities below investment grade with an unrealized loss.

        Aon's fixed-maturity portfolio in total had a $47 million gross unrealized loss at June 30, 2004, excluding $2 million related to deferred amortizable derivative losses, and is subject to interest rate, market, and credit risks.

        No single position had an unrealized loss greater than $2 million. With a carrying value of over $3.1 billion at June 30, 2004, our total fixed-maturity portfolio is approximately 97% investment grade based on market value. Fixed-maturity securities with an unrealized loss are all investment grade and have a weighted average rating of "Aa" based on amortized cost. Aon's non publicly-traded fixed maturity portfolio had a carrying value of $262 million, including $115 million in notes received from Private Equity Partnership Structures I, LLC, (PEPS I) on December 31, 2001 related to the securitization of limited partnerships and $81 million in notes issued by PEPS I to Aon during 2004, 2003 and 2002. Valuations of these securities primarily reflect the fundamental analysis of the issuer and current market price of comparable securities.

19



        Aon's equity portfolio is comprised of non-redeemable preferred stocks, publicly traded common stocks and other common and preferred stocks not publicly traded. This portfolio had no gross unrealized loss at June 30, 2004, and is subject to interest rate, market, credit, illiquidity, concentration and operation performance risks.

        Aon periodically reviews securities with material unrealized losses and evaluates them for other than temporary impairments. Aon analyzes various risk factors and determines if any specific asset impairments exist. If there is a specific asset impairment, Aon recognizes a realized loss and adjusts the cost basis of the impaired asset to its fair value.

        Under some conditions, it is assumed that a decline in value below cost is not other-than-temporary. This assumption is made for fixed-maturity investments with unrealized losses due to market conditions or industry-related events when the market is expected to recover, and Aon has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or the market recovers, which is a decisive factor when considering an impairment loss. If the decision that holding the investment no longer makes sense, Aon will reevaluate that investment for other-than-temporary impairment.

        Aon reviews invested assets with material unrealized losses each quarter. Please see note 7 to Aon's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

13.    Contingencies

        Aon and its subsidiaries are subject to numerous claims, tax assessments and lawsuits that arise in the ordinary course of business. The damages that may be claimed are substantial, including, in many instances, claims for punitive or extraordinary damages. Accruals for these items have been provided to the extent that losses are deemed probable and are reasonably estimable.

        As previously reported, a reinsurance brokerage subsidiary of Aon has been named in a total of six lawsuits relating to a worker's compensation reinsurance pool known as the Unicover Occupational Accident Reinsurance Pool ("Unicover Pool"). The Unicover Pool was managed by Unicover Managers, Inc. ("Unicover"). Along with another broker, Aon's reinsurance brokerage subsidiary procured certain retrocessional cover for the Unicover Pool, and was also involved in arranging further retrocessional protections for certain Unicover retrocessionaires. In one suit, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Inc. ("Allianz") claims that the reinsurance it issued should be rescinded or that it should be awarded damages based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentation by the carriers through their agents, including Aon's subsidiary. In the five other suits, four of which are pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and one of which is pending in New Jersey state court, several participants in the Unicover Pool seek from Aon compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged failure of the retrocessional coverage, alleged breaches of contract, alleged breaches of the duty of good faith, various alleged torts, and an alleged conspiracy with Unicover. All of these cases are currently stayed pending arbitration proceedings to which Aon is not a party. On July 16, 2004, Aon entered into a settlement agreement with Unicover Pool members Phoenix Life Insurance Co., Gen Re Life Corp., Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., Swiss Re Life and Health America, Inc., and Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. providing for the release of all of their claims and the dismissal of the New Jersey litigation in exchange for an amount that will have no impact on Aon's third quarter 2004 income statement and is not material to Aon's cash flow.

        As previously reported, certain U.K. subsidiaries of Aon have been required by their regulatory body, the Personal Investment Authority (PIA), to review advice given by those subsidiaries to individuals who bought pension plans during the period from April 1988 to June 1994. These reviews have resulted in a requirement to pay compensation to clients based on guidelines issued by the PIA. Aon has resolved the vast majority of the known claims against it. Aon has submitted to its errors and omissions ("E&O") insurers a claim for a portion of the amounts paid, and those insurers are considering Aon's claim in due course. Although one recent decision in the U.K., which did not involve Aon, held that pension mis-selling claims could not be aggregated for purposes of applying the E&O

20



insurance deductible, the language in that contested E&O policy is significantly different from the language in Aon's E&O policy. Aon continues to believe that its insurance claim is probable of recovery.

        As previously reported, beginning in August 2002, ten putative class action lawsuits were filed against Aon and certain of its officers and directors in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaints alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under such Act, and sought, among other things, compensatory damages and an award of costs and expenses. All of these actions were consolidated before the same judge, and a lead plaintiff was appointed by the court. On September 13, 2002, a purported derivative action against Aon and each of Aon's directors was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The derivative complaint made allegations substantially similar to the original class action lawsuits.

        In third quarter 2003, Aon and attorneys representing plaintiffs in the purported shareholder and derivative actions agreed to settle all of these actions. Under the settlement, Aon will pay a total of $7.25 million and take certain steps relating to Aon's corporate governance, some of which had already been undertaken by Aon. The court granted final approval of the settlement on July 27, 2004, and thus the settlement is final, subject to any appeals that may be filed.

        In December 2001, Radmanovich v. Combined Insurance Company of America (CICA), a putative class action lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages from CICA, was filed on behalf of former and current employees of CICA in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The action alleges discrimination against women in hiring, training and promotion and in tolerating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for the plaintiff and for all women who worked for CICA since April 1, 1999. In March 2002, a second putative class action lawsuit, Palmer v. Combined, was filed against CICA in the same court, making similar allegations but seeking injunctive and punitive damages on behalf of a putative class of current CICA employees. On June 26, 2003, the Court in Radmanovichdenied plaintiffs' motion for class certification, after which a number of the putative class members filed individual lawsuits in the same court. On September 2, 2003, the Court in Palmer granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification for injunctive and punitive damages.

        In August 2004, the parties to these lawsuits agreed to a settlement of these matters. The settlement calls for Aon to pay a total of $8.5 million and to put in place certain agreed measures. The settlement is subject to a process that includes preliminary approval, notice to class members and final court approval. Aon has fully reserved the expected costs of a settlement and estimated remaining litigation costs.

        On April 21, 2004, Aon received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of New York calling for the production of documents relating to Placement Service Agreements, Market Service Agreements and similar agreements under which insurance carriers pay compensation to Aon beyond standard commissions. The New York Department of Insurance has also requested information regarding such agreements. Compensation agreements between insurance companies and brokers are longstanding, common, and well-known practices within the insurance industry. Aon discloses such arrangements in fee agreements with clients, in invoices to clients, and on its web site. Both of these inquiries are at the preliminary stages, and their outcomes cannot be predicted. Aon is fully cooperating with both of these inquiries. Such agreements are also the subject of a putative class action styled Daniel v. Affinity, which has been pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois since August 1999. On July 28, 2004, the Court granted plaintiff's motion for class certification. Aon believes it has meritorious defenses, and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.

        Although the ultimate outcome of all matters referred to above cannot be ascertained, and liabilities in indeterminate amounts may be imposed on Aon or its subsidiaries, on the basis of present information, amounts already provided, availability of insurance coverages and legal advice received, it is the opinion of management that the disposition or ultimate determination of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of Aon. However, it is possible that future results of operations or cash flows for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an unfavorable resolution of these matters.

14.    Subsequent Event

        In third quarter 2004, Aon reached an agreement in principle to sell a majority interest in its Cambridge Integrated Services claims business. The business comprises less than 1% of Aon's total assets and liabilities at June 30, 2004.

21



ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

        This Management's Discussion and Analysis is divided into five sections. First, key recent events are described that affected our financial results during the first six months 2004. We then review our consolidated results and segments with quarter and year-to-date comparisons to last year. Next, we cover our financial condition and liquidity along with related disclosures as well as information on our off balance sheet arrangements. The final section addresses the factors that can influence future results.

        The outline for our Management's Discussion and Analysis is as follows:

KEY RECENT EVENTS

Discontinued Operations

        In second quarter 2004, Aon decided to sell its U.K. reinsurance brokerage runoff unit included in the Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment. This operation was sold in early third quarter 2004 for a nominal pretax gain, which will be recognized in third quarter 2004. In addition, in first quarter 2004, Aon decided to sell certain of its U.K. claims services businesses included in the Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment.

        The sale of all but one business was completed during that quarter, with the remaining business sold in early second quarter 2004. The operating results of all these businesses are classified as

22



discontinued operations, and prior year's operating results have been reclassified to discontinued operations as follows:

 
  Second quarter ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
(millions)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Revenues   $ 9   $ 20   $ 29   $ 38  
   
 
 
 
 
Pretax loss:                          
  Operations   $ (9 ) $ (5 ) $ (16 ) $ (10 )
  Revaluation             (24 )    
   
 
 
 
 
    Total   $ (9 ) $ (5 ) $ (40 ) $ (10 )
   
 
 
 
 
After-tax loss:                          
  Operations   $ (7 ) $ (3 ) $ (11 ) $ (7 )
  Revaluation             (17 )    
   
 
 
 
 
    Total   $ (7 ) $ (3 ) $ (28 ) $ (7 )
   
 
 
 
 

        Also in early first quarter 2004, Aon sold a non-core Consulting subsidiary. Included in the loss from discontinued operations in first six months 2004 was a gain on sale of this business of $4 million ($0 million after-tax). For second quarter and first six months 2003, revenues attributable to that unit, reclassified to discontinued operations, were $2 million and $4 million, respectively, with a pretax operating loss of $1 million ($0 million after-tax) and $2 million ($1 million after-tax), respectively.

        Certain amounts in prior year's condensed consolidated financial statements relating to segments and discontinued operations have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.

Endurance Warrants and Common Stock Investment

        In December 2001, Aon, primarily through its underwriting subsidiaries, invested $227 million in Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd., (Endurance) formerly known as Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd., a Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance company formed to provide additional underwriting capacity to commercial property and casualty insurance and reinsurance clients. As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the carrying value of our common stock investment in Endurance was $284 million and $298 million, representing approximately 9.9 million and 11.3 million shares, respectively. During first quarter 2004, we sold approximately 1.4 million shares of Endurance stock for a pretax gain of $11 million, which was reflected in investment income in the Corporate and Other segment.

        In conjunction with the initial 2001 common stock investment, we received 4.1 million stock warrants, which allow us to purchase additional Endurance common stock through December 2011. These warrants meet the definition of a derivative as described in FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which requires them to be recorded in the financial statements at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each quarter.

        Through December 31, 2002, these warrants had been carried at zero value, which approximated their original cost. In first quarter 2003, Endurance completed its initial public offering, which provided a market value for the underlying shares and removed much of the uncertainty regarding the fair value of Endurance and the warrants. We determined that the warrants had a fair value of approximately $84 million, $80 million and $66 million as of June 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

23



        This increase in value was recognized in investment income in the Corporate and Other segment. The future value of the warrants may vary considerably from the value at June 30, 2004 given the inherent volatility of the underlying shares, as well as the passage of time, and changes in other factors used in the valuation model. (See note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the valuation of the warrants.)

Run-off of Certain Operations

        We are pursuing a "back-to-basics" strategy in the accident and health insurance business, focusing on core products and regions. In February 2003, we announced that we would be placing our accident and health insurance underwriting operations in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil in run-off. These lines of business generated less than $1 million of revenue and approximately $1 million of pretax loss in second quarter 2004, compared to $4 million of revenue and $2 million of pretax loss in the same period last year. Year-to-date 2004 revenues generated were $2 million, along with $3 million of pretax losses, compared to $8 million of revenues and pretax losses of $4 million during the prior year.

        Also in 2003, we decided to run-off certain non-core special risk accident and health business in the United Kingdom. For first six months 2004, this business generated $14 million of revenues with $5 million of pretax profit, versus no revenue and pretax income in 2003, as management believed as of June 30, 2003 that the business had been ceded to a third party via a reinsurance contract effective January 1, 2003. This contract was reversed in third quarter 2003, which required us to reinstate nine months of activity in third quarter 2003. At that time, it was decided to run off the business.

        We continue to evaluate strategic options with our portfolio of other non-core businesses. We have an agreement in principle to sell a majority interest in our Cambridge Integrated Services claims business.

REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

General

        In the discussion of operating results, we sometimes refer to supplemental information extracted from consolidated financial information which is not required to be presented in the financial statements by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

        Supplemental information related to organic revenue growth is information that management believes is an important measure to evaluate business production from existing operations. We also believe that this supplemental information is helpful to investors. Organic revenue growth excludes from reported revenue the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between business units, investment income, reimbursable expenses, unusual items, and for the underwriting segment only, an adjustment between written and earned premium.

        The supplemental organic revenue growth information does not affect net income or any other GAAP reported figures. It should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, our condensed consolidated statements of income. Industry peers provide similar supplemental information about their revenue performance, although they do not make identical adjustments.

        Aon has offices in over 120 countries and sovereignties. Movement of foreign exchange rates in comparison to the U.S. dollar may be significant and will distort true period-to-period comparisons of changes in revenue or pretax income. Therefore, management has isolated the impact of the change in currencies between periods by providing percentage changes on a comparable currency basis for revenue, and has disclosed the effect on earnings per share. Reporting on this basis gives financial statement users more meaningful information about our operations.

24



        Certain tables in the segment discussions show a reconciliation of organic revenue growth percentages to the reported revenue growth percentages for the segments and sub-segments. We separately disclose the impact of foreign currency as well as the impact from acquisitions, divestitures, and transfers of business units, which represent the most significant reconciling items. Other reconciling items are generally not significant individually, or in the aggregate, and are therefore totaled in an "all other" category. If there is a significant individual reconciling item within the "all other" category, we provide additional disclosure in a footnote.

        The following table and commentary provide selected consolidated financial information.

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
 
(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

 
Revenue:                                  
  Brokerage commissions and fees   $ 1,760   $ 1,688   4 % $ 3,552   $ 3,341   6 %
  Premiums and other     716     635   13     1,408     1,267   11  
  Investment income     69     89   (22 )   150     168   (11 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total consolidated revenue     2,545     2,412   6     5,110     4,776   7  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  General expenses     1,822     1,776   3     3,657     3,448   6  
  Benefits to policyholders     392     325   21     775     670   16  
  Interest expense     35     27   30     69     55   25  
  Amortization of intangible assets     15     15       29     28   4  
  Unusual charges-World Trade Center         9   (100 )       46   (100 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total expenses     2,264     2,152   5     4,530     4,247   7  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income tax and minority interest   $ 281   $ 260   8 % $ 580   $ 529   10 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pretax margin-continuing operations     11.0 %   10.8 %       11.4 %   11.1 %    
   
 
     
 
     

Consolidated Results

Revenue

        Total revenue in the quarter rose 6% to $2.5 billion, and increased 7% in the first six months to $5.1 billion. The higher revenue growth for both periods is primarily due to:

        The revenue growth is reflective of:


        Investment income includes related expenses and income or loss on disposals and impairments. Investment income decreased $20 million and $18 million from second quarter and first six months

25


2003, respectively. The decline for both periods reflects a much smaller non-cash increase in the fair value of Endurance stock warrants in 2004 compared to last year.

        Partially offsetting this decline were lower impairment write-downs in 2004. The year-to-date variance was also impacted by the sale of 1.4 million shares of Endurance common stock in first quarter 2004 which generated a pretax profit of $11 million.

Expenses

        For second quarter 2004, total expenses increased 5% over the same period last year to $2.3 billion. General expenses increased $46 million or 3% primarily reflecting the impact of foreign exchange rates, growth of the businesses, and higher defined benefit pension plan costs of approximately $12 million. Partially offsetting this increase was the timing of determining and approving discretionary incentive compensation accruals between years, which amounted to $43 million. In 2003, certain incentive expenses were recognized in the second quarter, while in 2004, these costs were incurred in the first quarter. Benefits to policyholders increased $67 million to $392 million due to new business volume plus a slight shift in business mix to products with higher benefit payout ratios. Interest expense increased $8 million. This increase was principally the result of the adoption of FIN 46 on December 31, 2003 which required the deconsolidation of our trust preferred capital securities, and which was offset by an increase in notes payable. Interest expense on these additional notes payable is $15 million for second quarter 2004. Absent this item, interest expense declined $7 million due principally to a reduction in debt levels. The 2003 results included the impact of an unusual charge of $9 million related to the assignment to a third party of temporary office space secured in Manhattan after the World Trade Center was destroyed.

        For the first six months 2004, general expenses increased 6% from the previous year to $3.7 billion as a result of the impact of foreign exchange rates, growth in the business, and higher pension plan costs. Benefits to policyholders rose $105 million due to new business volume plus a change in mix to products with higher benefit payout ratios. Interest expense rose $14 million, reflecting an increase of $29 million due to the adoption of FIN 46. Absent this item, interest expense declined due principally to a reduction in debt levels. On a year-to-date 2003 basis, the pretax charge discussed above in connection with the temporary premises was $46 million.

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax and Minority Interest

        Income from continuing operations before income tax and minority interest increased by $21 million to $281 million for second quarter 2004 from $260 million last year. For first six months 2004, income from continuing operations before income tax and minority interest was $580 million, an increase of $51 million or 10% over the previous year. For the second quarter, all segments were positively impacted by the acceleration of certain discretionary incentive compensation accruals into first quarter 2004. In 2003, these accruals were recorded in the second quarter. The margin in Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services was also impacted by improvements in claims services (quarter) and reinsurance and international retail operations (year-to-date). Improvement in the Consulting segment margin for both periods was primarily driven by better results in human resource outsourcing and better expense management. The outsourcing business suffered from depressed margins in 2003 but is expected to provide increasingly favorable returns over the remaining life of a large multi-year human resource agreement. The margin decline in Insurance Underwriting for both periods was driven by declines in certain warranty and credit businesses.

Income Taxes

        The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 36% for both second quarter and first six months 2004, versus 37% for the comparable periods in 2003. The decrease in the 2004 rate is

26



primarily attributable to improved tax management. The overall effective tax rates are higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily because of state income tax provisions.

Income from Continuing Operations

        Income from continuing operations for second quarter 2004 increased to $180 million ($0.56 and $0.54 per basic and dilutive share, respectively) from $155 million ($0.49 per basic and dilutive share) in 2003. For the first six months 2004, income from continuing operations increased to $371 million ($1.16 and $1.13 per basic and dilutive share, respectively) from $316 million ($1.00 per basic and dilutive share) the previous year. After netting the effect of currency hedges, the positive impact of foreign exchange rates was approximately $0.02 per share and $0.11 per share for the second quarter and first six months 2004, respectively, compared to $0.03 per share and $0.06 per share for the corresponding periods in 2003. Dividends paid for the redeemable preferred stock have been deducted from net income to compute income per share. Dilutive shares outstanding for second quarter and first six months 2004 were increased by 14 million and 7 million, respectively, to reflect the possible conversion of Aon's 3.5% convertible debt securities, due to Aon's common stock exceeding a threshold price for more than 20 of the last 30 trading days in first quarter 2004. After-tax interest expense on these debt securities has been added back to income from continuing operations when calculating the dilutive income per share. (See note 3 for further information.)

Discontinued Operations

        Second quarter 2004 pretax losses from discontinued operations include operating losses from our U.K. reinsurance brokerage runoff unit of $3 million as well as further losses from our U.K. claims services business of $6 million. In second quarter 2003, the pretax loss from these operations was $5 million. On a year-to-date basis, the 2004 pretax loss was $40 million, $30 million higher than 2003. Included in this year's results are pretax operating losses of $16 million as well as a loss on the disposal of the businesses of $24 million.

        Also included in discontinued operations for six months 2004 is pretax income of $4 million for a small non-core Consulting subsidiary, which represents the pretax gain on sale of this operation. Last year's results included a pretax operating loss of $1 million and $2 million for the second quarter and year-to-date, respectively.

        Second quarter and six months 2003 discontinued operations also included a pretax loss of $9 million and $16 million, respectively, related to the December 2003 sale of the auto finance servicing business. The pretax loss in the second quarter and first half 2004 was minimal.

REVIEW BY SEGMENT

General

        Aon classifies its businesses into three operating segments: Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services, Consulting and Insurance Underwriting (see note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Aon's operating segments are identified as those that:

        Revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the resources producing the revenues.

27



        Segment revenue includes investment income, as well as the impact of related derivatives, generated by operating invested assets of that segment. Investment characteristics mirror liability characteristics of the respective segments:

        The following table and commentary provide selected financial information on the operating segments.

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
 
(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

 
Operating segment revenue:(1)                          
  Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services   $ 1,433   $ 1,404   $ 2,898   $ 2,760  
  Consulting     305     292     606     572  
  Insurance Underwriting     805     692     1,586     1,401  
   
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax:                          
  Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services   $ 212   $ 180   $ 454   $ 415  
  Consulting     28     22     54     43  
  Insurance Underwriting     73     64     126     127  
   
 
 
 
 
Pretax Margins:                          
  Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services     14.8 %   12.8 %   15.7 %   15.0 %
  Consulting     9.2 %   7.5 %   8.9 %   7.5 %
  Insurance Underwriting     9.1 %   9.2 %   7.9 %   9.1 %
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Intersegment revenues of $16 million and $34 million were eliminated in second quarter and first six months 2004, respectively. Intersegment revenues of $16 million and $28 million were eliminated in second quarter and first six months 2003, respectively. See note 5 for further information.

28


        The following chart reflects investment income earned by the operating segments, which is included in the results above.

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services   $ 18   $ 19   $ 32   $ 38
Consulting     1         1     1
Insurance Underwriting—excluding deposit-type contracts     32     29     63     55
Insurance Underwriting—deposit-type contracts         1         3

Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services

        Aon is a leader in many sectors of the insurance industry: globally, it is the second largest insurance broker, the largest reinsurance broker and the leading manager of captive insurance companies worldwide. In the U.S., Aon is the largest wholesale broker. These rankings are based on the most recent surveys compiled and reports printed by Business Insurance.

        Changes in premiums have a direct and potentially material impact on the insurance brokerage industry, as commission revenues are generally based on a percentage of the premiums paid by insureds. Higher premium rates, or a "hard market," generally result in increased commission revenues. Conversely, lower rates generally result in lower commission revenues. In the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented increase in premium rates. In recent months, however, the rate of increase in premiums in the property and casualty marketplace has already begun to level off, or, in many instances, to decline. The rate trend downward varies by line of business, area of the world, and when each line of business began its downward trend. This trend may have an impact on brokers' ability to experience revenue growth.

        Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services generated approximately 56% of Aon's total operating segment revenues for second quarter and 57% for first six months 2004. Revenues are generated primarily through:


        Our revenues vary from quarter to quarter throughout the year as a result of:

        With the exception of employee discretionary incentives, expenses generally tend to be more uniform throughout the year.

29



        Our retail brokerage companies operate in a highly competitive industry and compete with a large number of retail insurance brokerage and agency firms, as well as individual brokers and agents and direct writers of insurance coverage. Specifically, this segment:

        We review our product revenue results using the following sub-segments:


        The Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services segment revenues are influenced by the premiums paid by clients to insurers because we receive a percentage of the premiums as a commission in most cases. The availability of insurance coverage can also affect our revenues. If insurance coverage cannot be placed, we do not receive a commission.

Revenue

        Second quarter 2004 Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services revenue was $1.4 billion, up 2% on a reported basis over last year. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates, revenue declined 1% from last year. Year-to-date, revenues of $2.9 billion improved 5% over the previous year. Revenues were flat for the first six months 2004 on a comparable currency basis. Operating revenue, on an organic basis, declined approximately 1% for the second quarter, partially due to a more rapid decrease in property and casualty premium rates, but rose 1% for the first six months.

        Investment income for this segment decreased $1 million for the second quarter and $6 million for the first six months 2004. This decline is partly driven by a decrease in average short-term interest rates.

30



        These charts detail Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services revenue by product sub-segment.

Second quarter ended June 30
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  Percent
Change

  Less:
Currency
Impact

  Less:
Acquisitions,
Divestitures
& Transfers

  Less:
All
Other

  Organic
Revenue
Growth

 
Risk Management and Insurance Brokerage—Americas   $ 598   $ 590   1 % % % % 1 %
Risk Management and Insurance Brokerage—International     574     507   13   8   2   1   2  
Reinsurance Brokerage and Related Services     204     219   (7 ) 3     (2 ) (8 )
Claims Services     57     88   (35 )   (24 ) 2   (13 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 1,433   $ 1,404   2 % 3 % (1 )% 1 % (1 )%
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  Percent
Change

  Less:
Currency
Impact

  Less:
Acquisitions,
Divestitures
& Transfers

  Less:
All
Other

  Organic
Revenue
Growth

 
Risk Management and Insurance Brokerage—Americas   $ 1,130   $ 1,097   3 % 1 % % (1 )% 3 %
Risk Management and Insurance Brokerage—International     1,207     1,031   17   11   1   1   4  
Reinsurance Brokerage and Related Services     443     456   (3 ) 5     (3 ) (5 )
Claims Services     118     176   (33 ) 1   (24 ) 2   (12 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue   $ 2,898   $ 2,760   5 % 5 % (1 )% % 1 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

        For both periods:

31


        This chart details Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services revenue by geographic area.

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
 
(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

 
United States   $ 616   $ 625   (1 )% $ 1,194   $ 1,191   %
United Kingdom     255     276   (8 )   489     526   (7 )
Continent of Europe     299     265   13     725     613   18  
Rest of World     263     238   11     490     430   14  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 1,433   $ 1,404   2 % $ 2,898   $ 2,760   5 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

        For both periods:

Income Before Income Tax

        Pretax income increased $32 million from second quarter 2003 to $212 million. The improvement was driven by the acceleration of $33 million of certain discretionary incentive expense into the first quarter. Pretax margins in this segment were 14.8% and 12.8% for second quarter 2004 and 2003, respectively. Year-to-date, pretax income was $454 million, a 9% increase from the previous year primarily as a result of favorable foreign exchange rates, which was partially offset by a $6 million decline in investment income. For first six months 2004, pretax margins increased from 15.0% to 15.7%.

Consulting

        Aon Consulting is one of the world's largest integrated human capital consulting organizations. This segment:

        Consulting services are delivered to corporate clients through five major practice areas:

32


        Revenues in the Consulting segment are affected by changes in clients' industries, including government regulation, as well as new products and services, the state of the economic cycle, broad trends in employee demographics and the management of large organizations.

Revenue

        Second quarter 2004 revenue increased 4% from last year to $305 million. Excluding foreign currency exchange rate translation, the growth rate was 1%. For first six months 2004, revenue of $606 million represents a 6% increase over the prior year. Year-to-date, on a comparable currency basis, revenues rose 1%. Revenue on an organic basis was flat for the second quarter but rose 1% for first six months 2004.

        These charts detail Consulting revenue by product sub-segment.

Second quarter ended June 30
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  Percent
Change

  Less:
Currency
Impact

  Less:
Acquisitions,
Divestitures
& Transfers

  Less:
All
Other

  Organic
Revenue
Growth

 
Benefits, compensation, management and communications consulting   $ 230   $ 224   3 % 3 % (2 )% 1 % 1 %
Human resource outsourcing     75     68   10   3   9   (2 )  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 305   $ 292   4 % 3 % 1 % % %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  Percent
Change

  Less:
Currency
Impact

  Less:
Acquisitions,
Divestitures
& Transfers

  Less:
All
Other

  Organic
Revenue
Growth

 
Benefits, compensation, management and communications consulting   $ 455   $ 433   5 % 5 % (1 )% 1 % %
Human resource outsourcing     151     139   9   3   6   (2 ) 2  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 606   $ 572   6 % 5 % 1 % (1 )% 1 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

        For both periods:

33


        This chart details Consulting revenue by geographic area.

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
 

(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

 
United States   $ 191   $ 189   1 % $ 365   $ 366   %
United Kingdom     50     45   11     102     88   16  
Continent of Europe     35     32   9     82     69   19  
Rest of World     29     26   12     57     49   16  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 305   $ 292   4 % $ 606   $ 572   6 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

        For both periods:

Income Before Income Tax

        Pretax income was $28 million, a 27% increase from last year. In second quarter 2004, pretax margins in this segment were 9.2%, up from 7.5% in 2003. Year-to-date, pretax income of $54 million represents an $11 million improvement from 2003. Pretax margins for the first six months were 8.9% compared with 7.5% last year. For both periods, these increases were driven by improvements in human resource outsourcing and international consulting practices. The improvement is attributed to better expense management and better performance of the large human resource outsourcing contract initiated in mid 2002. The quarterly improvement was also aided by a $2 million acceleration of discretionary incentives from second to first quarter 2004, and the year-to-date improvement was helped by a favorable foreign exchange rate impact.

Insurance Underwriting

        The Insurance Underwriting segment:

34


        In the accident, health and life operations, we provide an array of accident, sickness, short-term disability and other supplemental insurance products. Most of these products are primarily fixed-indemnity obligations, and are not subject to escalating medical cost inflation.

        We have:

        Our warranty and credit subsidiaries in North America, Latin America, Asia/Pacific and Europe provide warranties on automobiles and a variety of consumer goods, including electronics and appliances. In addition, we provide non-structural home warranties and other warranty products, such as credit card enhancements and affinity warranty programs.

Revenue

        Written premium and fees are the basis for organic revenue growth in this segment; however, reported revenues reflect earned premiums.

        Revenue in second quarter 2004 was $805 million, an increase of 16% over the same period in 2003. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate translation, revenue rose by 13% for the quarter. Year-to-date, revenues of $1.6 billion in 2004 rose 13% over 2003. On a comparable currency basis, 2004 revenues increased 9% over last year.

35


        These charts detail Insurance Underwriting revenue by product sub-segment:

Second quarter ended June 30
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  Percent
Change

  Less:
Currency
Impact

  Less:
All Other(1)

  Organic
Revenue
Growth

 
Accident & health and life   $ 441   $ 377   17 % 2 % 23 % (8 )%
Warranty, credit and property & casualty     364     315   16   3   (1 ) 14  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 805   $ 692   16 % 3 % 11 % 2 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
The difference between written and earned premiums and fees, as a percentage change, was 3% for accident & health and life, (4)% for warranty, credit and property & casualty and 0% for total revenue. In addition, a change in accounting for a reinsurance contract in the U.S. and revenue from a non-core special risk business in the U.K. (see below), as a percentage change, was 21% for accident & health and life and 11% for total revenue.

Six months ended June 30
(millions)

  2004
  2003
  Percent
Change

  Less:
Currency
Impact

  Less:
All Other(1)

  Organic
Revenue
Growth

 
Accident & health and life   $ 866   $ 776   12 % 4 % 14 % (6 )%
Warranty, credit and property & casualty     720     625   15   4   (1 ) 12  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 1,586   $ 1,401   13 % 4 % 7 % 2 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
The difference between written and earned premiums and fees, as a percentage change, was 4% for accident & health and life, (3)% for warranty, credit and property & casualty and 0% for total revenue. In addition, a change in accounting for a reinsurance contract in the U.S. and revenue from a non-core special risk business in the U.K. (see below), as a percentage change, was 10% for accident & health and life and 5% for total revenue.

        For both periods:

        This chart details Insurance Underwriting revenue by geographic area.

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
 

(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

 
United States   $ 542   $ 489   11 % $ 1,054   $ 977   8 %
United Kingdom     123     88   40     255     202   26  
Continent of Europe     65     52   25     128     100   28  
Rest of World     75     63   19     149     122   22  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenue   $ 805   $ 692   16 % $ 1,586   $ 1,401   13 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

36


        For both periods:

        Our Latin America accident and health insurance underwriting operations, our U.S. large employer group life businesses and our U.K. non-core special risk accident and health business generated approximately $16 million of revenue and $1 million of pretax income during the first six months 2004 compared to $8 million in revenue and $4 million of losses in 2003.

Income Before Income Tax

        For second quarter 2004, pretax income increased $9 million from the prior year to $73 million. However, pretax margins for this segment fell to 9.1% from 9.2%. The improvement in second quarter pretax income was due to the acceleration of $5 million discretionary incentive compensation expense from second quarter to first quarter, as well as favorable foreign exchange rates.

        Year-to-date, pretax income of $126 million declined 1% over 2003. Pretax margins for this segment fell to 7.9% from 9.1% last year. Reasons for the decline in year-to-date pretax income and margin included:

        These declines were partially offset by favorable foreign exchange rates.

Corporate and Other

        Corporate and Other segment revenue consists primarily of investment income (including income or loss on disposals and other-than-temporary impairment losses), which is not otherwise reflected in the operating segments. This segment includes:

        Corporate and Other segment revenue includes income from Endurance common stock, accounted for on the equity method, and changes in the valuation of Endurance warrants. Aon carries its investment in Endurance warrants at fair value and records changes in the fair value through Corporate and Other segment revenue, in accordance with FASB Statement No. 133.

        Private equities are principally carried at cost except where Aon has significant influence, in which case they are carried under the equity method. These investments usually do not pay dividends.

        Limited partnerships (LP) are accounted for under the equity method and changes in the value of the underlying LP investments flow through Corporate and Other segment revenue.

37



        Although our portfolios are highly diversified, they still remain exposed to market, equity, and credit risk.

        We:

        This chart shows the components of Corporate and Other revenue and expenses:

 
  Second quarter ended
  Six months ended
 

(millions)

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

  June 30,
2004

  June 30,
2003

  Percent
Change

 
Revenue:                                  
Income from marketable equity securities and other investments:                                  
  Income from change in fair value of Endurance warrants   $   $ 21   (100 )% $ 4   $ 66   (94 )%
  Equity earnings—Endurance     18     13   38     34     20   70  
  Other     3     2   50     5     3   67  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
      21     36   (42 )   43     89   (52 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited partnership investments     2       N/A     6       N/A  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) on disposals and related expenses:                                  
  Gain on sale of Endurance stock               11       N/A  
  Impairment write-downs     (1 )   (5 ) N/A     (2 )   (33 ) N/A  
  Other     (4 )   9   N/A     (4 )   15   N/A  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
      (5 )   4   N/A     5     (18 ) N/A  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue     18     40   (55 )   54     71   (24 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  General expenses     15     10   50     39     26   50  
  Interest expense     35     27   30     69     55   25  
  Unusual charges—World Trade Center         9   (100 )       46   (100 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Total expenses     50     46   9     108     127   (15 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss before income tax   $ (32 ) $ (6 ) N/A % $ (54 ) $ (56 ) N/A %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Revenue

        Corporate and Other revenue was $18 million in second quarter 2004, a decrease of 55% when compared to last year. Year-to-date, revenue declined $17 million to $54 million. For both periods, the decrease reflects lower income from the change in the value of Endurance warrants during the appropriate period. Partially offsetting this decline for the first six months 2004 was the sale of approximately 1.4 million shares of Endurance stock in first quarter 2004, which generated an

38



$11 million pretax gain. In addition, revenue for the year-to-date period was affected by reduced investment write-downs.

Loss Before Income Tax

        Corporate and Other expenses were $50 million for second quarter 2004, an increase of $4 million from the comparable period in 2003. General expenses were $15 million in second quarter 2004 versus $10 million last year reflecting higher occupancy and compensation costs, along with expenses incurred in implementing Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, which more than offset the acceleration of a discretionary incentive expense of $3 million from second quarter to first quarter. Interest expense for the period increased $8 million to $35 million. This increase is primarily due to the adoption at December 31, 2003 of FIN 46. As a result of the adoption, we were required to deconsolidate our trust preferred capital securities, which were offset by an increase in notes payable. Interest expense on these notes payable was $15 million for the quarter. Absent that item, interest expense declined $7 million due principally to a reduction in debt levels. The 2003 results included the impact of an unusual charge of $9 million related to the assignment to a third party of temporary office space secured in Manhattan after the World Trade Center was destroyed.

        For the first six months 2004, Corporate and Other expenses were $108 million, an improvement of $19 million over last year. This decrease is due to $46 million of expenses related to the World Trade Center sublease assignment recognized last year, which more than offset increases in interest and general expenses in 2004. Interest expense rose $29 million due to the adoption of FIN 46, but this increase was partially negated due to a reduction in debt levels. General expenses rose $13 million due to higher occupancy and compensation costs.

        These revenue and expense comparisons contributed to the overall Corporate and Other pretax loss of $32 million in second quarter 2004 versus a loss of $6 million in the same period last year. On a year-to-date basis, Corporate and Other pretax loss was $54 million versus a loss of $56 million in 2003.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

Cash Flows

        Cash flows from operations represent the net income we earned in the reported periods adjusted for non-cash charges and changes in operating assets and liabilities.

        Cash flows provided by operating activities for first half 2004 were $686 million.

        The operating cash flow from our insurance subsidiaries was approximately $198 million for the first six months 2004. Included in this amount was a $148 million change in operating assets and liabilities of the underwriting segment, net of reinsurance, primarily from unearned premiums and other fees. These funds will be used to satisfy future benefits to policyholders with the remainder being available, after taxes and other income and expense, to dividend to the Aon parent company. In second quarter 2004, Combined Insurance Company of America (CICA), one of our major insurance underwriting subsidiaries, declared a non-cash dividend of $71 million to Aon Parent.

        In our risk and insurance brokerage and consulting businesses, we collect cash payments from clients that include both premiums (payable to insurance companies for policies they issue) and commissions and fees (payable to us for our brokerage and consulting services). We record the commissions and fees as income and we hold clients' premiums for a short time before remitting them to insurers. The net increase in funds held on behalf of clients since year-end 2003 was approximately $150 million. The change in the balance for these funds is reflected in "Other receivables and liabilities—net" in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The decline in other receivables and liabilities—net between years is principally due to a decline in the funds held on behalf of clients of $250 million, reflecting lower growth rates in 2004.

39



        Available cash flow from operations were used in the first half to pay cash dividends of $96 million and provide for capital expenditures of $41 million. Acquisitions during the first six months were $53 million, principally made by our international brokerage operations. During first half 2004, we paid down $96 million in long-term debt and increased our short-term debt by $4 million.

Financial Condition

        Since year-end 2003, total assets increased $743 million to $27.8 billion.

        Total investments at June 30, 2004 increased $605 million to $7.9 billion from December 31, 2003. The increase is primarily due to an increase in short-term investments of $262 million reflecting higher funds held on behalf of our clients. In addition, fixed maturities increased $324 million during the first half to $3.1 billion. The increase was due to market gains and positive cash flows in our underwriting units, along with a change of $41 million related to the adoption of SOP 03-1 in first quarter 2004 (see note 2). Our total fixed-maturity portfolio is approximately 97% investment grade based on market value.

        The following chart details our investments by type at June 30, 2004:

(millions)

  Amount Shown
in Statement of
Financial Position

  Percentage
of Total
Investments

 
Fixed maturities—available for sale:            
  U.S. government and agencies   $ 470   6 %
  States and political subdivisions     110   1  
  Debt securities of foreign governments not classified as loans     1,281   16  
  Corporate and asset-backed securities     1,032   13  
  Public utilities     38   1  
  Mortgage-backed securities     144   2  
   
 
 
    Total fixed maturities     3,075   39  
   
 
 

Equity securities—available for sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Common stocks:            
    Banks, trusts and insurance companies     2    
    Industrial, miscellaneous and all other     36   1  
  Non-redeemable preferred stocks     1    
   
 
 
    Total equity securities     39   1  
   
 
 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Policy loans     58   1  
  Other long-term investments:            
    Endurance common stock     284   3  
    Endurance warrants     84   1  
    PEPS I preferred stock     86   1  
    Other     226   3  
   
 
 
      Total other long-term investments     680   8  
   
 
 
    Total other investments     738   9  
   
 
 

Short-term investments

 

 

4,077

 

51

 
   
 
 
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS   $ 7,929   100 %
   
 
 

40


        Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services and Consulting receivables increased $267 million in the first six months of 2004 primarily the result of the timing of cash receipts. Insurance premiums payable increased $586 million over the same period. This increase primarily reflects the timing of cash payments, client demand for risk programs and the effect of foreign exchange rates.

        Other assets decreased $62 million from December 31, 2003. Other assets are comprised principally of prepaid premiums related to reinsurance, prepaid pension assets, current and deferred income taxes and assets of discontinued operations. The decrease from year-end 2003 is due in part to the adoption of SOP 03-1, which decreased other assets by $54 million.

        Policy liabilities increased $327 million, due in part to the adoption of SOP 03-1 in first quarter 2004, which increased policy liabilities by $49 million. The increase was also partially offset by corresponding increases in reinsurance receivables (reflected in other receivables). Other policyholder funds were relatively flat from year-end.

Short-term Borrowings and Notes Payable

        Total debt at June 30, 2004 was $2.1 billion, a decline of $90 million from December 31, 2003. Specifically:

        In February 2004 we renewed our $337.5 million, 364-day back-up line of credit. This agreement will expire in 2005.

        In July 2004, we retired $216 million of our 6.9% debt securities that became due. The repayment was funded by the issuance of commercial paper and the utilization of available cash.

        The major rating agencies' ratings of our debt at June 30, 2004 appear in the table below. In late 2003, Standard and Poor's changed its outlook on Aon from stable to negative. Ratings from Moody's Investor Services and Fitch, Inc. are on stable outlook.

 
  Standard
And Poor's

  Moody's Investor
Services

  Fitch, Inc.
Senior long-term debt   A-   Baa2   A-
Commercial paper   A-2   P-2   F-2

        In May 2004, A.M. Best, a major rating agency for our insurance company subsidiaries, changed its ratings for our two major insurance subsidiaries as follows: CICA from "A" stable outlook to "A" negative outlook; Virginia Surety Company from "A" stable outlook to "A-" stable outlook.

Stockholders' Equity

        Stockholders' equity increased $219 million during the first six months 2004 to $4.7 billion, mainly reflecting net income before preferred dividends of $343 million, which was partially offset by dividends paid to stockholders of $96 million.

        Accumulated other comprehensive loss increased $69 million since December 31, 2003. Net unrealized investment gains declined $10 million during first half 2004. Net derivative gains decreased $10 million over year-end 2003. Net foreign exchange losses worsened by $49 million because of the strengthening U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies as compared to the prior year-end.

41


        Our total debt and preferred securities as a percentage of total capital was 31% at June 30, 2004 compared to 33% at year-end 2003.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

        Aon and its subsidiaries have issued letters of credit to cover contingent payments for taxes and other business obligations to third parties. We accrue amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements for these letters of credit to the extent they are probable and estimable.

        We have various contractual obligations that are recorded as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executory contracts, are not recognized as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements but are required to be disclosed.

        We use special purpose entities and qualifying special purpose entities (QSPE), also known as special purpose vehicles, in some of our operations, following the guidance of FASB Statement No. 140 and other relevant accounting guidance.

Premium Financing

        Some of our special purpose vehicles were formed solely to purchase financing receivables and sell those balances to conduits owned and managed by third-party financial institutions. Subject to certain limitations, agreements allow us to sell to these conduit vehicles through December 2005. As of June 30, 2004, the maximum commitment contained in these agreements was $1.9 billion.

        Under the agreements, the receivables are sold to the conduits. Consequently, the conduits bear the credit risks on the receivables, subject to limited recourse in the form of credit loss reserves provided by our subsidiaries and which we guarantee. Under the guarantee provisions, our maximum cash requirement was approximately $70 million at June 30, 2004. We intend to renew these conduit facilities when they expire. If there are adverse bank, regulatory, tax or accounting rule changes, our access to the conduit facilities and special purpose vehicles would be restricted. These special purpose vehicles are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

PEPS I

        On December 31, 2001, we sold the vast majority of our LP portfolio, valued at $450 million, to PEPS I, a QSPE. The common stock interest in PEPS I is held by a limited liability company, owned by one of our subsidiaries (49%) and by a charitable trust, which we do not control, established for victims of the September 11th attacks (51%).

        PEPS I sold approximately $171 million of investment grade fixed-maturity securities to unaffiliated third parties. It then paid our insurance underwriting subsidiaries the $171 million in cash and issued them an additional $279 million in fixed-maturity and preferred stock securities.

        Standard & Poor's Ratings Services rated the fixed-maturity securities our subsidiaries received from PEPS I as investment grade. As part of this transaction, the insurance companies must purchase from PEPS I additional fixed-maturity securities in an amount equal to the unfunded LP commitments as they are requested. Approximately $15 million of these commitments were funded in the first six months of 2004.

        As of June 30, 2004, the unfunded commitments amounted to $66 million. These commitments have specific expiration dates and the general partners may decide not to draw on these commitments.

        Based on the rating agencies' downgrades of Aon's credit rating in October 2002 on Aon's senior debt, credit support agreements were purchased in January 2003 whereby $100 million of CICA's cash

42



has been pledged as collateral for these commitments. This collateral was reduced to $59 million at June 30, 2004, and during second quarter 2004, was dividended to Aon Parent.

        If the insurance companies fail to purchase additional fixed-maturity securities as commitments are drawn down, we have guaranteed their purchase.

        Subsequent to closing the securitization, one of our insurance subsidiaries sold PEPS I fixed-maturity securities with a value of $20 million to Aon. In second quarter 2004, CICA dividended to Aon Parent fixed-maturities securities of $12 million. The assets and liabilities and operations of PEPS I are not included in our consolidated financial statements.

        In previous years Aon has recognized other than temporary impairment writedowns of $59 million, equal to the original cost of one tranche. The preferred stock interest represents a beneficial interest in securitized limited partnership investments. The fair value of the private preferred stock interests depends on the value of the limited partnership investments held by PEPS I. Management assesses other-than-temporary declines in the fair value below cost using a financial model that considers the:

INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This quarterly report contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from either historical or anticipated results, depending on a variety of factors. Potential factors that could impact results include the general economic conditions in different countries around the world, fluctuations in global equity and fixed income markets, exchange rates, rating agency actions, resolution of regulatory issues, including those related to compensation arrangements with underwriters, pension funding, ultimate paid claims may be different from actuarial estimates and actuarial estimates may change over time, changes in commercial property and casualty markets and commercial premium rates, the competitive environment, the actual costs of resolution of contingent liabilities and other loss contingencies, and the heightened level of potential errors and omissions liability arising from placements of complex policies and sophisticated reinsurance arrangements in an insurance market in which insurer reserves are under pressure.


ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk Exposure

        We are exposed to potential fluctuations in earnings, cash flows and the fair value of certain of our assets and liabilities due to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. In order to manage the risk arising from these exposures, we enter into a variety of derivative instruments. Aon does not enter into derivatives or financial instruments for trading purposes.

        We are subject to foreign exchange rate risk associated with translating financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. Our primary exposures are to the British pound, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, and the Australian dollar. We use over-the-counter (OTC) options and forward contracts to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the translation of the financial statements of our foreign operations.

        Additionally, some of our foreign brokerage subsidiaries receive revenues in currencies that differ from their functional currencies. Our U.K. subsidiary earns a portion of its revenue in U.S. dollars but the majority of its expenses are incurred in pounds sterling. Our policy is to convert into pounds

43



sterling sufficient U.S. dollar revenue to fund the subsidiary's pound sterling expenses using over-the-counter (OTC) options and forward exchange contracts. At June 30, 2004, we have hedged 79% of the U.K. subsidiaries' expected U.S. dollar transaction exposure for the next twelve months. We do not generally hedge exposures beyond three years.

        The translated value of revenue and expense from our international brokerage and underwriting operations are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The net impact of these fluctuations on Aon's net income was an increase of $0.11 per share for first half 2004.

        We also use forward contracts to offset foreign exchange risk associated with foreign denominated inter-company notes.

        The nature of the income of our businesses is affected by changes in international and domestic short-term interest rates. We monitor our net exposure to short-term interest rates and, as appropriate, hedge our exposure by entering into interest rate swap agreements and use exchange-traded futures and options to limit our net exposure. A decrease in global short-term interest rates adversely affects Aon's income. This activity primarily relates to brokerage funds held on behalf of clients in the U.S. and U.K.

        Interest rate swaps and caps are used to limit exposure to changes in interest rates related to interest rate guarantees provided by a subsidiary of Aon to certain unaffiliated entities. In August 2000, these guarantees were replaced with new offsetting interest rate swaps between Aon and an unaffiliated entity, with Aon essentially retaining the same exposure.

        Our underwriting companies fixed income investment portfolios are subject to credit risk. The reduction of a fixed income security's credit rating will adversely affect the price of the security. The credit quality of Aon's fixed income portfolio is very high. The portfolio maintains an "AA" average credit rating. The fixed maturity portfolio credit profile is monitored daily and evaluated regularly.

        The valuation of our marketable equity security portfolio is subject to equity price risk. We sell futures contracts and purchase options to reduce the price volatility of our equity securities portfolio and equity securities we own indirectly through limited partnership investments.


ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        Aon's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation (the "Evaluation") of the effectiveness of Aon's disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2004, and have determined that such controls and procedures are designed in such a way to ensure that all material information required to be filed in this Form 10-Q has been made known to them in a timely fashion. There were no changes in Aon's internal controls over financial reporting that were identified during the Evaluation that occurred during Aon's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Aon's internal control over financial reporting.

Review by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        The condensed consolidated financial statements at June 30, 2004, and for the six months then ended, have been reviewed, prior to filing, by Ernst & Young LLP, Aon's independent registered public accounting firm, and their report is included herein.

44



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Aon Corporation

        We have reviewed the condensed consolidated statement of financial position of Aon Corporation as of June 30, 2004, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

        We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

        Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial position of Aon Corporation as of December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and in our report dated February 10, 2004 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2003, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.


 

 

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
August 4, 2004

 

 

45



PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        See note 13 (Contingencies) to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


Name

  For
  Withheld
Edgar D. Jannotta   212,534,234   75,235,007
Jan Kalff   214,669,054   73,100,187
Lester B. Knight   251,557,669   36,211,572
J. Michael Losh   249,626,302   38,142,939
R. Eden Martin   257,699,210   30,070,031
Andrew J. McKenna   250,948,997   36,820,244
Robert S. Morrison   252,487,505   35,281,736
Richard C. Notebaert   252,426,420   35,342,821
Michael D. O'Halleran   257,202,589   30,566,652
John W. Rogers, Jr.   257,499,683   30,269,558
Patrick G. Ryan   254,919,489   32,849,752
Gloria Santona   258,755,080   29,014,161
Carolyn Y. Woo   258,482,086   29,287,155

For
  Against
  Abstain
272,883,465   5,107,197   778,579


ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

46


47



SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

    Aon Corporation
(Registrant)

 

 

 
August 6, 2004   /s/  DAVID P. BOLGER      
DAVID P. BOLGER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

48


' Aon CORPORATION

Exhibit Number
In Regulation S-K

Item 601 Exhibit Table

(12) Statements regarding Computation of Ratios

 

(a)

Statement regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

(b)

Statement regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

(15)

Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information

(31.1)

Certification of CEO

(31.2)

Certification of CFO

(32.1)

Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code

(32.2)

Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code

49




QuickLinks

Part I Financial Information Aon Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Aon Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Aon Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
SIGNATURE