Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 18,072	$ 18,867
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(5,643)	(8,725)
Depreciation and amortization	6,605	5,801
Other	27	620
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	2,615	1,195
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	182	369
Unearned premiums	1,906	2,311
Receivables and originated loans	(3,445)	(3,021)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	137	(296)
Income taxes	3,601	5,954
Other	1,114	1,080
Net cash flows from operating activities	25,171	24,155
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(6,009)	(5,365)
Purchases of equity securities	(5,185)	(8,809)
Purchase of Kraft Heinz Company common stock		(5,258)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	1,121	791
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	6,640	4,421
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	19,989	5,755
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(224)	(144)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	271	345
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(30,815)	(4,802)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(9,429)	(11,803)
Other	(611)	21
Net cash flows from investing activities	(24,252)	(24,848)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	888	(508)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(3)	(71)
Other financing activities	(28)	(181)
Net cash flows from financing activities	12,196	3,798
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(10)	(114)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	13,105	2,991
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	71,730	63,269
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	84,835	66,260
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,221)	(8,571)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	9,385	3,271
Repayments of borrowings	(1,921)	(1,875)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	61,181	57,974
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	68,269	56,166
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	2,234	4,468
Repayments of borrowings	(1,879)	(1,050)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,437	3,001
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	3,893	4,691
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(2,422)	(154)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,740	998
Repayments of borrowings	(1,220)	(1,254)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	7,112	2,294
Cash and cash equivalents at end of third quarter	$ 12,673	$ 5,403