Significant accounting policies and practices (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of effects of adopting ASU 2018-12 on selected financial statement line items

A summary of the effects of adopting ASU 2018-12 on selected financial statement line items as of the transition date follows (in millions).

	Balance at December 31, 2020			Increase (decrease)			Balance at January 1, 2021
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	$	21,616		$	7,220		$	28,836
Other policyholder liabilities		8,670			1,697			10,367
Income taxes, principally deferred		74,098			(1,695	)		72,403
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(4,243	)		(5,751	)		(9,994	)
Retained earnings		444,626			(677	)		443,949
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity		443,164			(6,428	)		436,736