Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 20,170	$ 19,845	$ 15,312
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,575)	(4,065)	(1,462)
Depreciation and amortization	7,370	6,508	6,154
Other	(341)	373	(213)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	7,404	578	(421)
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(3,413)	(340)	121
Unearned premiums	1,159	519	1,134
Receivables and originated loans	(1,890)	1,035	(1,610)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(520)	(2,430)	(2,183)
Income taxes	4,905	3,514	1,710
Other	741	2,167	2,408
Net cash flows from operating activities	32,010	27,704	20,950
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(7,774)	(7,546)	(8,250)
Purchases of equity securities	(7,014)	(8,558)	(7,376)
Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corp. and other investments	(3,000)	(12,250)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	1,697	4,311	2,982
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	6,795	11,203	6,064
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	8,896	3,869	8,088
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(181)	(490)	(650)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	885	654	1,714
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(4,824)	(6,431)	(3,188)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(15,185)	(11,087)	(9,775)
Other	336	(1,210)	(183)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(19,369)	(27,535)	(10,574)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	932	(1,317)	(309)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests and treasury stock	(1,287)	(2,890)	(2,096)
Other financing activities	22	(134)	48
Net cash flows from financing activities	2,731	961	(806)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(289)	64	123
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	15,083	1,194	9,693
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,186	46,992	37,299
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	63,269	48,186	46,992
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,503)	(3,881)	(990)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	845	2,622	1,820
Repayments of borrowings	(1,289)	(2,750)	(1,999)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	42,433	42,186
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	57,974	42,433	42,186
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	5,765	7,491	4,707
Repayments of borrowings	(1,862)	(1,596)	(2,119)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,400	2,570
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	3,001	3,400	2,570
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(72)	(184)	(472)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,148	3,462	2,352
Repayments of borrowings	(1,543)	(3,927)	(3,210)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,353	2,236
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 2,294	$ 2,353	$ 2,236