2.2.0.25truefalse42108 - Disclosure - PENSION, POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT LIABILITIES (Historical Long-Term Actual Annualized Returns for U.S. Pension Plans) (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 10 years [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_20102234http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse10 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli02falsefa lsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 10 years [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_2009227http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse10 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli03falsefal setruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 10 years [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 Duration_1_1_2008_To_12_31_200843536http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse10 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli01false< Level>0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurepensionpostretirementandpostemploymentliabilitieshistoricallongtermactualannualizedreturnsforuspensionplansdetails1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 10 years [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_20102234http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse10 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli02false falsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 10 years [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_2009227http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse10 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli03falsef alsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 10 years [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 Duration_1_1_2008_To_12_31_200843536http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse10 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse2false0bmy_HistoricalLongTermActualAnnualizedReturnsPercentagebmyfalsenadurationThe historical long-term actual annualized returns for United States defined benefit pension plans expressed as a percentage.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0470.047falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0360.036falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe historical long-term actual annualized returns for United States defined benefit pension plans expressed as a percentage.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse3false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurepensionpostretirementandpostemploymentlia bilitieshistoricallongtermactualannualizedreturnsforuspensionplansdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 15 years [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_20102233http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse15 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_FifteenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli05falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 15 years [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_2009226http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse15 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_FifteenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli06false falsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 15 years [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 Duration_1_1_2008_To_12_31_2008435342http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse15 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_FifteenYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse4false0bmy_HistoricalLongTermActualAnnualizedReturnsPercentagebmyfalsenadurationThe historical long-term actual annualized returns for United States defined benefit pension plans expressed as a percentage.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse< IsBeginningBalance>falsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0790.079falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0840.084falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0710.071falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe historical long-term actual annualized returns for United States defined benefit pension plans expressed as a percentage.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurepensionpostretirementandpo stemploymentliabilitieshistoricallongtermactualannualizedreturnsforuspensionplansdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 20 years [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_20102235http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse20 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TwentyYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli08false falsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 20 years [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_2009228http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse20 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TwentyYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli09false< LabelColumn>falsetruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxis} : Pension Benefits [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : 20 years [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 Duration_1_1_2008_To_12_31_200843537http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePension Benefits [Member]us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsMajorTypesOfTradingSecuritiesAndAssetsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse20 years [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_TwentyYearsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUnit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0bmy_HistoricalLongTermActualAnnualizedReturnsPercentagebmyfalsenadurationThe historical long-term actual annualized returns for United States defined benefit pension plans expressed as a percentage.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0930.093falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0840.084falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0830.083falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe historical long-term actual annualized returns for United States defined benefit pension plans expressed as a percentage.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse36PENSION, POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT LIABILITIES (Historical Long-Term Actual Annualized Returns for U.S. Pension Plans) (Details) (Pension Benefits [Member])UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue