Post-Employment Benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of components of the net periodic benefit cost for the entity's major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans

Net cost recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30 for Abbott’s major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans is as follows:

	Defined Benefit Plans								Medical and Dental Plans
	Three Months Ended Sept. 30				Nine Months Ended Sept. 30				Three Months Ended Sept. 30				Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
(in millions)	2022		2021		2022		2021		2022		2021		2022		2021
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$	92	$	98	$	282	$	294	$	13	$	14	$	38	$	42
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	74		62		225		186		9		8		27		25
Expected return on plan assets	(231)		(211)		(701)		(633)		(8)		(6)		(23)		(20)
Net amortization of:
Actuarial loss, net	58		79		174		238		2		7		8		21
Prior service cost (credit)	—		—		1		1		(6)		(7)		(18)		(21)
Net cost (credit)	$	(7)	$	28	$	(19)	$	86	$	10	$	16	$	32	$	47