XML 89 R87.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Employee Retirement Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Investment_Option
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Jun. 25, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Reduction in measurement of APBO           $ 100us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfPlanAmendmentOnAccumulatedBenefitObligation  
Accumulated benefit obligation 1,429us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation 1,186us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation   1,186us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation      
Minimum funded percentage of ABO 100.00%usg_MinimumFundedPercentageOfAccumulatedBenefitObligationsForMaintainingPlanAssetLevel            
Defined Contribution Plans Disclosure [Abstract]              
Total charges for defined contribution plans 6us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized 3us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized 3us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized        
Minimum contribution percentage 1.00%usg_DefinedContributionPlanEmployeeMinimumContributionPercentage            
Maximum contribution percentage 75.00%usg_DefinedContributionPlanEmployeeMaximumContributionPercentage            
Number of investment options offered 22usg_DefinedContributionPlanNumberOfInvestmentOptionsOffered            
Employees earned a guaranteed company on contributions 25.00%usg_DefinedContributionPlanGuaranteedCompanyMatchOnEmployeeContribution 10.00%usg_DefinedContributionPlanGuaranteedCompanyMatchOnEmployeeContribution 10.00%usg_DefinedContributionPlanGuaranteedCompanyMatchOnEmployeeContribution        
Employees earned a guaranteed company match on eligible compensation, maximum 6.00%usg_EmployeesEarnedGuaranteedCompanyMatchOnEligibleCompensationMaximum 6.00%usg_EmployeesEarnedGuaranteedCompanyMatchOnEligibleCompensationMaximum 6.00%usg_EmployeesEarnedGuaranteedCompanyMatchOnEligibleCompensationMaximum        
Vested period company matching contributions for employee 3 years            
Pension              
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Settlement charge 13us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
16us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
       
Actuarial loss 327us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(115)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Weighted-average discount rate 4.10%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.20%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
     
Net actuarial loss 37us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
Prior service cost (credit) 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
Expected return on plan assets 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Contribution by employer 64.0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
71.0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Estimated contribution next fiscal year 67us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
Expected future benefit payments in next twelve months 86us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
USG Corporation Retirement Plan              
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Settlement charge   15us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
         
Reduction in measurement of PBO   80us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanSettlementsBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
         
Contributions by employer in common stock             1,249,219usg_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployerInCommonStock
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Closing price per share of contributed shares             $ 16.48usg_ClosingPricePerShareOfContributedSharesToRetirementPlanTrust
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Contribution by employer       20.6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
     
Discounted value shares valued for purposes of crediting the contribution to trust             $ 16.01usg_DiscountedValueSharesValuedForPurposesOfCreditingContributionToTrust
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Rate at which shares valued for purposes of crediting the contribution to trust             $ 16.48usg_RateAtWhichSharesValuedForPurposesOfCreditingContributionToTrust
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Discount rate used to valued shares for purposes of crediting the contribution to the Trust             2.80%usg_DiscountRateUsedToValuedSharesForPurposesOfCreditingContributionToTrust
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Aggregate contribution by employer         20usg_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployerInCashAndCommonStock
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
   
Postretirement Benefits              
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Actuarial loss 4us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(13)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Weighted-average discount rate 3.70%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.60%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  4.60%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
     
Net actuarial loss 1us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
Prior service cost (credit) (33)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
Contribution by employer 12.0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
13.0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Expected future benefit payments in next twelve months $ 13us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
           
U.S. Postretirement Health Care Plan              
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Assumed health care cost trend rate 7.30%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
8.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
         
Ultimate health care cost trend rates 4.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
         
Annual increase to contributions health care cost 3.00%usg_AnnualIncreaseToContributionsHealthCareCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
           
Canadian Postretirement Health Care Plan              
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Assumed health care cost trend rate 8.25%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
8.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Ultimate health care cost trend rates 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
         
Parent Common Stock | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)              
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]              
Number of shares of common stock issued by employer 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNumberOfSharesOfEquitySecuritiesIssuedByEmployerAndRelatedPartiesIncludedInPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= usg_ParentCommonStockMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member