XML 121 R102.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.1.900
Share-based compensation (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2004
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested share-based awards $ 175,000,000        
Weighted-average expected recognition period for the unrecognized compensation expense 1 year        
Weighted average remaining contractual term for stock options outstanding 6 years        
Weighted-average remaining contractual term for stock options exercisable 4 years 8 months 20 days        
Cash received from exercise of stock options $ 86,000,000        
Restricted stock awards granted to non-management directors 24,945.00 25,339 20,969    
Amounts paid during period by employees for the purchase of shares under the ESPP $ 18,000,000 $ 17,000,000 $ 14,000,000    
Number of shares purchased during period by employees pursuant to the provisions of the ESPP 197,442 181,901 175,437    
Discounted purchase price from market price 85.00%        
Annual estimate of forfeitures for equity awards 6.50% 6.50% 6.50%    
Stock options          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Vesting period of award 3 years        
Stock option term in years 10 years        
Restricted stock          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Restricted stock units awarded to employees and officers of ACE and subsidiaries during period 1,124,143 1,295,734 1,347,679    
Weighted average grant-day fair value of restricted stock units granted to employees and officers of the company (US$ per share) $ 114.28 $ 97.04 $ 85.61    
Number of unvested restricted stock units outstanding 2,825,757 3,193,518 3,511,690 4,015,732  
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Restricted stock units awarded to employees and officers of ACE and subsidiaries during period 293,822 300,511 271,004    
Weighted average grant-day fair value of restricted stock units granted to employees and officers of the company (US$ per share) $ 114.71 $ 97.66 $ 85.44    
Number of unvested restricted stock units outstanding 663,412        
Number of deferred restricted stock units 145,751        
ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan | Restricted stock          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Vesting period of award 4 years        
ESPP          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Authorized Amount $ 25,000        
Discounted purchase price from market price 85.00%        
Common shares | ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Common shares authorized for issuance under plan         38,600,000
Common shares remaining as available for issuance under the ESPP 4,617,796        
Increase to authorized shares approved by shareholders 8,000,000        
Common shares | ESPP          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Common shares authorized for issuance under plan         4,500,000
Common shares remaining as available for issuance under the ESPP 934,243