Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (Discontinued Operations Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Operations
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									$ (2,504)	$ (5,738)	$ (1,039)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total									(1,038)	(76)	(969)	144	(376)
Disposal
Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax	(305)	37	(553)	(217)	(240)	(65)	194	35	(1,038)	(76)	(969)
Assets
Other Assets	100,076				111,701				100,076	111,701
Assets of discontinued operations	1,135				1,721				1,135	1,721
Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	(75)				(131)				(75)	(131)
All other liabilities	68,676				70,653				68,676	70,653
Liabilities of discontinued operations	2,345				1,629				2,345	1,629
GECC Disc Ops [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	103				121				103	121
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	3				521				3	521
Other	1,029				1,079				1,029	1,079
Assets of discontinued operations	1,135				1,721				1,135	1,721
Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	372				205				372	205
Other	1,973				1,424				1,973	1,424
Liabilities of discontinued operations	2,345				1,629				2,345	1,629
Discontinued Operation Or Asset Disposal Component [Member]
Operations
Total revenues									(485)	329	2,060
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes									(612)	(189)	114
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									169	91	101
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total									(443)	(98)	215
Disposal
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes									(792)	(329)	(1,420)
Benefit for income taxes									197	351	236
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes									(595)	22	(1,184)
Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax									$ (1,038)	$ (76)	$ (969)