Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 495	$ 473
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrecognized amounts on retirement benefits, net of tax of $6 and $8	22	22
Foreign currency translation adjustment	67	(424)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $22 and $113	33	166
Unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(14) and $1	(23)	1
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	99	(235)
Comprehensive income	594	238
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	4
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 589	$ 234