Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Pension and Postretirement Plans (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Pension and Postretirement Plans (Details) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Increase in fair value of plan assets $ 431,000,000  
Defined benefit plan, curtailments 889,000,000  
Increase in net plan assets, amendment 1,300,000,000  
Change in accumulated OCI, plan amendment 1,300,000,000  
Change in accumulated OCI, plan amendment, net of tax 832,000,000  
Loss due to curtailments 58,000,000  
Defined benefit plan, assumed discount rate 4.95%  
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
    
Pensions And Postretirement Benefits (Textuals) [Abstract]    
Restricted Stock Units Authorized To Be Converted to Common Stock Upon Vesting 7  
Key Associate Stock Plan [Member]
    
Pensions And Postretirement Benefits (Textuals) [Abstract]    
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures 288  
Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
    
Net Periodic benefit cost (income)    
Service cost 114,000,000 108,000,000
Interest cost 172,000,000 188,000,000
Expected return on plan assets (309,000,000) (325,000,000)
Amortization of transition obligation 0 0
Amortization of prior service cost (credits) 5,000,000 6,000,000
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) 123,000,000 101,000,000
Recognized loss due to settlements and curtailments 58,000,000  
Net periodic benefit cost (income) 163,000,000 78,000,000
Nonqualified and Other Pension Plans [Member]
    
Net Periodic benefit cost (income)    
Service cost 0 [1] 0 [1]
Interest cost 35,000,000 [1] 39,000,000 [1]
Expected return on plan assets (38,000,000) [1] (35,000,000) [1]
Amortization of transition obligation 0 [1] 0 [1]
Amortization of prior service cost (credits) (2,000,000) [1] (2,000,000) [1]
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) 3,000,000 [1] 5,000,000 [1]
Recognized loss due to settlements and curtailments 3,000,000  
Net periodic benefit cost (income) 1,000,000 7,000,000
Pensions And Postretirement Benefits (Textuals) [Abstract]    
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year 124,000,000  
Contribution made under group annuity contract 50,000,000  
Postretirement Health and Life Plans [Member]
    
Net Periodic benefit cost (income)    
Service cost 4,000,000 4,000,000
Interest cost 18,000,000 21,000,000
Expected return on plan assets (2,000,000) (2,000,000)
Amortization of transition obligation 8,000,000 8,000,000
Amortization of prior service cost (credits) 1,000,000 2,000,000
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) (5,000,000) 1,000,000
Recognized loss due to settlements and curtailments 0  
Net periodic benefit cost (income) 24,000,000 34,000,000
Pensions And Postretirement Benefits (Textuals) [Abstract]    
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year 115,000,000  
Contribution made under group annuity contract 29,000,000  
Non-U.S. Pension Plans [Member]
    
Net Periodic benefit cost (income)    
Service cost 10,000,000 11,000,000
Interest cost 24,000,000 25,000,000
Expected return on plan assets (34,000,000) (29,000,000)
Amortization of transition obligation 0 0
Amortization of prior service cost (credits) 0 0
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) (2,000,000) 0
Recognized loss due to settlements and curtailments 0  
Net periodic benefit cost (income) (2,000,000) 7,000,000
Pensions And Postretirement Benefits (Textuals) [Abstract]    
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year 114,000,000  
Contribution made under group annuity contract $ 81,000,000  
[1] Includes nonqualified pension plans and the terminated Merrill Lynch U.S. pension plan.