v2.4.0.6
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
U.S. Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Service cost $ 351 [1],[2],[3] $ 347 [1],[2],[3] $ 252 [1],[2]
Interest cost 734 [1],[2],[3] 740 [1],[2],[3] 526 [1],[2]
Expected return on plan assets (871) [1],[2] (782) [1],[2] (527) [1],[2]
Actuarial losses 145 [2] 151 [2] 212 [2]
Prior service (credits)/costs (8) [2] 2 [2] 2 [2]
Curtailments and settlements-net 95 [2] (52) [2] 110 [2]
Special termination benefits 23 [2] 73 [2] 61 [2]
Net periodic benefit costs 469 [2] 479 [2] 636 [2]
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive (income)/loss 1,879 [2],[4] 260 [2],[4] (783) [2],[4]
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive (income)/loss 2,348 [2] 739 [2] (147) [2]
U.S. Supplemental (Non-Qualified) Pension Plans [Member]
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Service cost 36 [1],[5],[6] 28 [1],[5],[6] 24 [1],[5]
Interest cost 72 [1],[5],[6] 77 [1],[5],[6] 53 [1],[5]
Actuarial losses 36 [5] 29 [5] 31 [5]
Prior service (credits)/costs (3) [5] (2) [5] (2) [5]
Curtailments and settlements-net 23 [5] 1 [5] (2) [5]
Special termination benefits 26 [5] 180 [5] 137 [5]
Net periodic benefit costs 190 [5] 313 [5] 241 [5]
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive (income)/loss 36 [4],[5] 117 [4],[5] (23) [4],[5]
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive (income)/loss 226 [5] 430 [5] 218 [5]
International Pension Plans [Member]
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Service cost 251 [1],[7],[8] 230 [1],[7],[8] 188 [1],[7]
Interest cost 453 [1],[7],[8] 427 [1],[7],[8] 342 [1],[7]
Expected return on plan assets (448) [1],[7] (434) [1],[7] (375) [1],[7]
Actuarial losses 86 [7] 67 [7] 30 [7]
Prior service (credits)/costs (5) [7] (4) [7] (3) [7]
Curtailments and settlements-net 3 [7] (3) [7] 3 [7]
Special termination benefits 4 [7] 6 [7] 8 [7]
Net periodic benefit costs 344 [7] 289 [7] 193 [7]
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive (income)/loss (365) [4],[7] 152 [4],[7] 1,004 [4],[7]
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive (income)/loss (21) [7] 441 [7] 1,197 [7]
Postretirement Plans [Member]
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Service cost 68 [1],[10],[9] 79 [1],[10],[9] 39 [1],[9]
Interest cost 195 [1],[10],[9] 211 [1],[10],[9] 145 [1],[9]
Expected return on plan assets (35) [1],[9] (31) [1],[9] (26) [1],[9]
Actuarial losses 17 [9] 15 [9] 18 [9]
Prior service (credits)/costs (53) [9] (38) [9] (3) [9]
Curtailments and settlements-net (68) [9] (23) [9] (3) [9]
Special termination benefits 3 [9] 19 [9] 24 [9]
Net periodic benefit costs 127 [9] 232 [9] 194 [9]
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive (income)/loss 421 [4],[9] (183) [4],[9] (122) [4],[9]
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive (income)/loss $ 548 [9] $ 49 [9] $ 72 [9]
[1] The acquisition of Wyeth during fourth quarter 2009 contributed to the increase in certain components of net periodic benefit costs, such as service cost and interest cost, which was largely offset by higher expected returns on plan assets during 2010 from the inclusion of Wyeth plan assets. Further declines in interest rates during 2011 resulted in service costs continuing to increase on an overall basis. The decrease in 2011 postretirement plans' service and interest costs is largely driven by the harmonization of the Wyeth plans.
[2] 2011 vs. 2010 - The decrease in the U.S. qualified pension plans' net periodic benefit costs was largely driven by lower special termination benefits costs and higher expected returns due to contributions made to the plans, partially offset by lower curtailment gains and an increase in settlement costs associated with on-going restructuring efforts. 2010 vs. 2009 - The decrease in the U.S. qualified pension plans' net periodic benefit costs was largely driven by curtailment gains and lower settlement charges associated with Wyeth-related restructuring initiatives.
[3] The unfavorable change in our U.S. qualified plans' projected benefit obligations funded status was largely driven by changes in interest rates and lower than expected asset returns, partially offset by plan contributions of $2.0 billion.
[4] For details, see Note 6. Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss).
[5] 2011 vs. 2010 - The decrease in the U.S. supplemental (non-qualified) plans' net periodic benefit costs was primarily driven by lower special termination benefits costs associated with Wyeth-related restructuring initiatives. 2010 vs. 2009 - The increase in the U.S. supplemental (non-qualified) plans' net periodic benefit costs was primarily driven by special termination benefits recognized for certain executives as part of ongoing Wyeth-related restructuring initiatives.
[6] The U.S. supplemental (non-qualified) pension plans are not generally funded and these obligations, which are substantially greater than the annual cash outlay for these liabilities, are paid from cash generated from operations.
[7] 2011 vs. 2010 and 2010 vs. 2009 - The increase in the international plans' net periodic benefit costs as compared to the prior year was primarily driven by changes in assumptions, including the decrease in discount rates across most plans.
[8] The favorable change in our international plans' projected benefit obligations funded status was largely driven by changes in actuarial assumptions, partially offset by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the U.K. pound and euro. Outside the U.S., in general, we fund our defined benefit plans to the extent that tax or other incentives exist and we have accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet to reflect those plans that are not fully funded.
[9] 2011 vs. 2010 - The decrease in the postretirement plans' net periodic benefit costs was due to the harmonization of the Wyeth postretirement medical program initiated in mid-2010. 2010 vs. 2009 - The increase postretirement plans' net periodic benefit costs was due to the Wyeth acquisition, offset partially by the postretirement harmonization program.
[10] The unfavorable change in our postretirement plans' accumulated benefit obligations (ABO) funded status was largely driven by changes in actuarial assumptions.