v2.4.1.9
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands
Total
Common Stock
Contributed Capital
Reinvested Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Treasury Stock
Deferred Compensation-ESOPs and Other
Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2011   $ 297us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
$ 37,919us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
$ 1,179us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
$ 1,269us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
$ (5,002)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
$ 308us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
$ 49,938us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011   2,967,610us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      (133,594)us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments 69us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax       69us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Net income attributable to Verizon 875us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss     875us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
       
Restricted stock equity grant             196us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges         (68)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (9,682)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             9,682us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Dividends declared ($2.16, $2.09, $2.03) per share       (5,788)us-gaap_DividendsCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
       
Amortization             (64)us-gaap_AmortizationOfESOPAward
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
 
Employee plans (Note 16) (in shares)           11,434us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Employee plans (Note 16)           433us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities 29us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax       29us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Other comprehensive income (loss) 10us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             10us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans 936us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax       936us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Total comprehensive income (loss) 9,692us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             9,692us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Shareowner plans, in Shares (Note 16)           13,119us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other comprehensive income (loss)         966us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Distributions and other               (7,254)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Shareowner plans (Note 16)           498us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other     71us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
         
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012 85,533us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 297us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
37,990us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
(3,734)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
2,235us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(4,071)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
440us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
52,376us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance at end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012   2,967,610us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      (109,041)us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Shares purchased, in Shares           (3,500)us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments 60us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax       60us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Net income attributable to Verizon 11,497us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss     11,497us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
       
Restricted stock equity grant             152us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
 
Shares purchased           (153)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges         25us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (12,050)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             12,050us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Dividends declared ($2.16, $2.09, $2.03) per share       (5,981)us-gaap_DividendsCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
       
Amortization             (171)us-gaap_AmortizationOfESOPAward
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
 
Employee plans (Note 16) (in shares)           6,835us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Employee plans (Note 16)           260us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities 16us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax       16us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Other comprehensive income (loss) (15)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             (15)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans 22us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax       22us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Total comprehensive income (loss) 12,035us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             12,035us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Shareowner plans, in Shares (Note 16)           96us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other comprehensive income (loss)         123us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Distributions and other               (7,831)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Shareowner plans (Note 16)           3us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other     (51)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
         
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013 95,416us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 297us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
37,939us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
1,782us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
2,358us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
(3,961)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
421us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
56,580us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance at end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013   2,967,610us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      (105,610)us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,199)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax       (1,199)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest (Note 2)     (26,898)us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
        (55,960)us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Net income attributable to Verizon 9,625us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss     9,625us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
       
Restricted stock equity grant             166us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
 
Common shares issued (Note 2)   127us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
           
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges         (197)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2,331)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             2,331us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Dividends declared ($2.16, $2.09, $2.03) per share       (8,960)us-gaap_DividendsCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
       
Amortization             (163)us-gaap_AmortizationOfESOPAward
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
 
Common shares issued (Note 2) (in shares)   1,274,764us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
           
Employee plans (Note 16) (in shares)           14,132us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Employee plans (Note 16)           541us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities (5)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax       (5)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Other comprehensive income (loss) (23)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             (23)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans 154us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax       154us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Total comprehensive income (loss) 2,308us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest             2,308us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Shareowner plans, in Shares (Note 16)           4,105us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other comprehensive income (loss)         (1,247)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Distributions and other               (1,550)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Shareowner plans (Note 16)           157us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other (in Shares)           (37)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOtherShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
   
Other     114us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
         
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014 $ 13,676us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ 424us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
$ 11,155us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
$ 2,447us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
$ 1,111us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
$ (3,263)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
$ 424us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember
$ 1,378us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance at end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014   4,242,374us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      (87,410)us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember