Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Long-term Debt Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Fixed and floating rate notes containing put options	$ 914,000,000
Banks extending committed credit lines	51
Committed credit lines	48,200,000,000
Three hundred sixty four day revolving credit agreement	17,900,000,000
Extension Period From Date Of Expiration In Term Out Feature Minimum	one
Extension Period From Date Of Expiration In Term Out Feature Maximum	two
Subsidiaries [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
2013	5,068,000,000
2014	80,000,000
2015	2,055,000,000
2016	41,000,000
2017	4,015,000,000
Committed credit lines	12,000,000,000
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
2013	44,264,000,000
2014	38,783,000,000
2015	36,252,000,000
2016	23,047,000,000
2017	24,775,000,000
Committed credit lines	48,200,000,000
Revolving credit agreements	$ 30,300,000,000