Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 11,231	$ 9,629
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,497)	(997)
Depreciation and amortization	3,582	3,217
Other	(249)	(85)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before effects of business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	599	583
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(216)	(309)
Unearned premiums	1,612	1,154
Receivables and originated loans	(2,815)	(180)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(405)	(1,543)
Income taxes	1,726	1,908
Other	265	(466)
Net cash flows from operating activities	11,833	12,911
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(3,477)	(4,083)
Purchases of equity securities	(2,054)	(6,052)
Purchases of investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corp.		(12,250)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	577	1,719
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	3,159	3,827
Sales of equity securities	2,961	1,454
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(141)	(326)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	658	330
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(676)	(154)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,093)	(4,758)
Other	262	(2,170)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(4,824)	(22,463)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	317	(973)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,287)	(2,889)
Other financing activities	(3)	(187)
Net cash flows from financing activities	239	(1,705)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	21	(40)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,269	(11,297)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	48,186	46,992
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30	55,455	35,695
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,425)	(889)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	70	2,596
Repayments of borrowings	(36)	(2,700)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	42,433	42,358
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30	49,182	31,035
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	2,772	3,049
Repayments of borrowings	(1,301)	(311)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	3,400	2,570
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30	3,410	2,564
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(72)	(108)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	749	1,510
Repayments of borrowings	(1,042)	(1,800)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	2,353	2,064
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30	$ 2,863	$ 2,096