Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 15,952	$ 14,782
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,121)	(2,711)
Depreciation and amortization	5,436	4,833
Other	(369)	186
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before effects of business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,731	682
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(3,162)	(203)
Unearned premiums	1,982	1,432
Receivables and originated loans	(3,061)	(359)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(663)	(1,927)
Income taxes	2,700	2,566
Other	1,732	1,456
Net cash flows from operating activities	24,157	20,737
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(5,775)	(5,246)
Purchases of equity securities	(4,389)	(7,818)
Purchases of investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corp.		(12,250)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	916	2,137
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	4,722	4,739
Sales of equity securities	3,803	2,938
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(162)	(446)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	770	565
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,069)	(830)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(10,172)	(7,727)
Other	390	(1,526)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(10,966)	(25,464)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	222	(1,269)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,288)	(2,889)
Other financing activities	38	(175)
Net cash flows from financing activities	1,176	(213)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(173)	27
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,194	(4,913)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	48,186	46,992
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	62,380	42,079
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,049)	(2,529)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	826	2,608
Repayments of borrowings	(809)	(2,736)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	42,433	42,358
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	55,834	35,180
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,272	5,496
Repayments of borrowings	(1,745)	(836)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	3,400	2,570
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	3,951	4,691
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(72)	(182)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,148	2,506
Repayments of borrowings	(1,488)	(2,918)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	2,353	2,064
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	$ 2,595	$ 2,208