Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 18,867	$ 15,952
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(8,725)	(3,121)
Depreciation and amortization	5,801	5,436
Other	620	(369)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	1,195	6,731
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	369	(3,162)
Unearned premiums	2,311	1,982
Receivables and originated loans	(3,021)	(3,061)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(296)	(663)
Income taxes	5,954	2,700
Other	1,080	1,732
Net cash flows from operating activities	24,155	24,157
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(5,365)	(5,775)
Purchases of equity securities	(8,809)	(4,389)
Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company and other investments	(5,258)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	791	916
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	4,421	4,722
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	5,755	3,803
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(144)	(162)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	345	770
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(4,802)	(1,069)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(11,803)	(10,172)
Other	21	390
Net cash flows from investing activities	(24,848)	(10,966)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	(508)	222
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(71)	(1,288)
Other financing activities	(181)	38
Net cash flows from financing activities	3,798	1,176
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(114)	(173)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,991	14,194
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	63,269	48,186
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	66,260	62,380
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(8,571)	(3,049)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,271	826
Repayments of borrowings	(1,875)	(809)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	57,974	42,433
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	56,166	55,834
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,468	4,272
Repayments of borrowings	(1,050)	(1,745)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,001	3,400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	4,691	3,951
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(154)	(72)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	998	1,148
Repayments of borrowings	(1,254)	(1,488)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,294	2,353
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	$ 5,403	$ 2,595