Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 545	$ 567	$ 1,040	$ 1,040
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Unrecognized amounts on retirement benefits, net of tax of $13, $(11), $19 and $(3)	(40)	28	(62)	6
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(272)	263	(205)	(161)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $14, $77, $36 and $190	38	116	71	282
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $16, $(4), $2 and $(3)	24	(7)	1	(6)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(170)	344	(71)	109
Comprehensive income	375	911	969	1,149
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	9	14	13
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 366	$ 902	$ 955	$ 1,136