Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 24,427	$ 24,414	$ 20,170
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(7,553)	(9,373)	(3,575)
Depreciation and amortization	8,901	7,779	7,370
Other	(161)	751	(341)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	4,372	2,262	7,404
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(360)	84	(3,413)
Unearned premiums	968	1,392	1,159
Receivables and originated loans	(3,302)	(1,650)	(1,890)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(946)	(974)	(520)
Income taxes	4,044	5,718	4,905
Other	2,145	1,088	741
Net cash flows from operating activities	32,535	31,491	32,010
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	(96,568)	(17,891)	(12,562)
Purchases of equity securities	(16,508)	(10,220)	(10,014)
Purchase of Kraft Heinz common stock		(5,258)
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	18,757	2,471	2,038
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	26,177	14,656	10,285
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	28,464	8,747	8,896
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(307)	(179)	(181)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	490	492	885
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(31,399)	(4,902)	(4,824)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(12,954)	(16,082)	(15,185)
Other	(419)	165	336
Net cash flows from investing activities	(84,267)	(28,001)	(20,326)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	130	(378)	932
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests and other	112	(233)	(1,265)
Net cash flows from financing activities	12,791	3,803	2,731
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(172)	(165)	(289)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(39,113)	7,128	14,126
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	67,161	60,033	45,907
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	28,048	67,161	60,033
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(5,128)	(9,363)	(3,503)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	9,431	3,358	845
Repayments of borrowings	(1,264)	(1,916)	(1,289)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	56,612	54,738
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	23,581	56,612	54,738
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,077	5,479	5,765
Repayments of borrowings	(2,123)	(1,725)	(1,862)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,437	3,001
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	3,939	3,437	3,001
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(2,425)	(10)	(72)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,741	1,045	1,148
Repayments of borrowings	(1,313)	(1,827)	(1,543)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	7,112	2,294
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 528	$ 7,112	$ 2,294