Total Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Statements of earnings	$ (288)	$ (361)	$ (173)	$ (205)	$ (230)	$ (365)	$ (308)	$ (338)	$ 1,028	$ 1,241	$ 738
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period									(185)	(339)	39
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities during period									1,016	447	728
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses on investment securities included in net earnings									(404)	(147)	(424)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period									(12)	18	0
Pension liability adjustment during period									(23)	(11)	8
Total income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									392	(32)	351
Additional paid-in capital (exercise of stock options)									(7)	(31)	(3)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle									0	(89)	0
Total income taxes									$ 1,413	$ 1,089	$ 1,086