Retirement-Related Benefits (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Retirement-related plans cost
Total defined benefit and contribution plans cost recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings	$ 408	$ 631	$ 1,280	$ 1,941
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Interest cost	553	495	1,659	1,485
Expected return on plan assets	(1,024)	(995)	(3,072)	(2,986)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	2	2	7	7
Recognized actuarial losses	264	448	792	1,343
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	(205)	(50)	(614)	(151)
Non-US Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	113	124	346	375
Interest cost	385	379	1,170	1,137
Expected return on plan assets	(565)	(546)	(1,715)	(1,636)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(28)	(29)	(85)	(90)
Recognized actuarial losses	351	397	1,072	1,195
Curtailments and settlements	7	0	20
Multi-employer plans/other costs	36	16	131	71
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	300	341	938	1,052
U.S. Defined Benefit Non Pension Postretirement Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	7	9	20	26
Interest cost	47	41	140	123
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	(1)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(2)		(6)
Recognized actuarial losses	0	5	0	16
Curtailments and settlements			0
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	51	55	154	164
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Non Pension Postretirement Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	1	2	5	7
Interest cost	16	14	48	46
Expected return on plan assets	(2)	(2)	(7)	(7)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(1)	(1)	(4)	(4)
Recognized actuarial losses	3	6	8	18
Curtailments and settlements			0	0
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	$ 16	$ 19	$ 50	$ 60