Retirement-Related Benefits (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Retirement-related plans cost
Total defined benefit and contribution plans cost recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings	$ 439	$ 749
U.S. Pension Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Interest cost	513	508
Expected return on plan assets	(922)	(989)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	3	2
Recognized actuarial losses	333	415
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	(74)	(64)
Total defined benefit and contribution plans cost recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings	91	109
Non-US Pension Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	104	108
Interest cost	262	271
Expected return on plan assets	(470)	(483)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(25)	(25)
Recognized actuarial losses	347	401
Curtailments and settlements	5	4
Multi-employer plans/other costs	18	248
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	241	524
Total defined benefit and contribution plans cost recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings	348	640
U.S. Defined Benefit Non Pension Postretirement Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	5	6
Interest cost	41	41
Expected return on plan assets		0
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(2)	(2)
Recognized actuarial losses	5	11
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	49	56
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Non Pension Postretirement Plans
Retirement-related plans cost
Service cost	1	2
Interest cost	10	14
Expected return on plan assets	(1)	(2)
Amortization of prior service costs/(credits)	(1)	(1)
Recognized actuarial losses	2	3
Total net periodic pension / nonpension (income)/cost of defined benefit plans	$ 11	$ 15