Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income

A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders for each of the three years ending December 31, 2021 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized appreciation of fixed maturity securities, net			Foreign currency translation			Defined benefit pension plans			Other			Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance December 31, 2018	$	370		$	(4,603	)	$	(816	)	$	34		$	(5,015	)
Other comprehensive income		160			257			(644	)		(48	)		(275	)
Reclassifications into net earnings		(49	)		—			91			5			47
Balance December 31, 2019		481			(4,346	)		(1,369	)		(9	)		(5,243	)
Other comprehensive income		78			1,264			(385	)		(52	)		905
Reclassifications into net earnings		(23	)		—			109			9			95
Balance December 31, 2020		536			(3,082	)		(1,645	)		(52	)		(4,243	)
Other comprehensive income		(123	)		(1,021	)		1,163			80			99
Reclassifications into net earnings		(44	)		11			135			15			117
Balance December 31, 2021	$	369		$	(4,092	)	$	(347	)	$	43		$	(4,027	)