Retirement-Related Benefits (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Retirement-related plans cost
Total defined benefit and contribution plans cost recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings	$ 493	$ 398	$ 1,242	$ 872
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Interest cost	507	551	1,014	1,106
Expected return on plan assets	(988)	(1,024)	(1,977)	(2,048)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	2	2	5	5
Recognized actuarial losses	412	259	827	528
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	(67)	(211)	(131)	(409)
Non-US Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	116	118	224	233
Interest cost	270	394	541	785
Expected return on plan assets	(482)	(578)	(965)	(1,150)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(24)	(28)	(49)	(57)
Recognized actuarial losses	393	361	794	721
Curtailments and settlements	3	8	7	13
Multi-employer plans/other costs	8	16	256	95
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	283	290	808	638
U.S. Defined Benefit Non Pension Postretirement Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	6	6	12	13
Interest cost	40	48	82	94
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(2)	(2)	(4)	(4)
Recognized actuarial losses	9	0	20	0
Curtailments and settlements	0	0	0	0
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	53	53	109	103
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Non Pension Postretirement Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	2	2	4	4
Interest cost	13	16	27	32
Expected return on plan assets	(2)	(2)	(4)	(5)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Recognized actuarial losses	2	3	5	5
Curtailments and settlements	0	0	0	0
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	$ 14	$ 17	$ 29	$ 34