decreased by approximately $82 million compared to 2006, primarily due to changes to the U.S. retiree medical plan. This reduced expense impacted the general and administrative expenses line item. The Company anticipates receiving a similar benefit, as a result of the changes to the U.S. retiree medical plan, in each of the five years beginning January 1, 2008. Refer to Note 16. 

As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $441 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under our plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years as stock-based compensation expense. This expected cost does not include the impact of any future stock-based compensation awards. Refer to Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Total selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately 8 percent higher in 2006 versus 2005. The increases in selling and advertising expenses were primarily related to increased investments in marketing activities, including World Cup and Winter Olympics promotions in the European Union, combined with new product innovation activities and increased costs in our consolidated bottling investments as a result of acquisitions and consolidation of certain bottling operations. General and administrative expenses increased due to higher costs in Bottling Investments related to the acquisitions of CCCIL and TJC and the consolidation of Brucephil under Interpretation No. 46(R). The acquisition of Bremer during the third quarter of 2005 also increased general and administrative expenses in 2006, reflecting a full-year impact in 2006 for Bremer compared to a partial year in 2005. General and administrative expenses in 2006 also reflected the impact of a $100 million donation made to The Coca-Cola Foundation, which impacted Corporate. Stock-based compensation expense was flat in 2006 compared to 2005. Stock-based compensation expense in 2005 included approximately $50 million of expense due to a change in our estimated service period for retirement-eligible participants in our plans. This amount was offset primarily by the impact of the timing of stock-based compensation grants in prior years. 

Other operating charges in 2007 were primarily related to restructuring costs and asset write-downs. These restructuring costs and asset write-downs included the reorganization of the North American business around three main business units: Sparkling Beverages, Still Beverages and Emerging Brands. They also included the plan to close a beverage concentrate manufacturing and distribution plant in Drogheda, Ireland, as well as individually insignificant streamlining activities throughout many other business units. The total cost of these restructuring activities is expected to be approximately $342 million. These costs are expected to be incurred through mid-2008. The expected payback period is three to four years. Refer to Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Also in 2007, other operating charges included charges related to the impairment of certain assets, none of which was individually