Pension plans- Projected benefit obligation roll-forward (Detail) (Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Accumulated benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year	$ 10,598	$ 8,136
Service cost	191	165	162
Interest cost	568	543	455
Benefits paid	(579)	(528)
Business acquisitions	1,017	1,986
Actuarial (gains) or losses and other	1,197	296
Projected benefit obligation, end of year	$ 12,992	$ 10,598	$ 8,136

The net increase or decrease of changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Gain or Loss

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6514294

-Topic 715

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Gain or Loss

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-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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+ Details

- Definition

1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Projected Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522206

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503904

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations and a decrease to plan assets.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Benefits

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506309

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

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-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS106-2

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Benefits

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506267

-Topic 715

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Postretirement Benefits

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521376

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

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+ Details

- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

+ Details