SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY - Schedule of Reclassification Out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total revenues and other income	$ 29,558	$ 33,494	$ 57,219	$ 61,339
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(15)	(461)	(31)	(284)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	1,499	3,363	2,315	3,779
GE Capital revenues from services	2,022	2,316	4,286	4,838
Interest and other financial charges	1,174	1,326	2,313	3,062
Other	28,044	29,670	54,872	57,276
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1,515	3,824	2,346	4,063
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	(467)	(461)	(1,525)	(946)
Available-for-sale securities
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(25)	(9)	(61)	31
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	48	21	118	(39)
Available-for-sale securities | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total revenues and other income	73	30	178	(70)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(25)	(9)	(61)	31
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	48	21	118	(39)
Available-for-sale securities | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Discontinued operations
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total revenues and other income	0	6	0	(72)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0	(1)	0	31
Currency translation adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(1)	(39)	(541)	80
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	(34)	(29)	(588)	85
Currency translation adjustments | Discontinued operations
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total revenues and other income	3	77	32	71
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(1)	(39)	(541)	80
Currency translation adjustments | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(1)	(39)	(541)	80
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(34)	(29)	(588)	85
GE Capital revenues from services	(33)	10	(47)	5
Cash flow hedges
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(10)	(4)	(9)	1
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	54	10	55	(69)
Cash flow hedges | Foreign exchange contracts | Discontinued operations
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
GE Capital revenues from services	76	53	101	31
Interest and other financial charges	(10)	(17)	(23)	(36)
Cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(10)	(4)	(9)	1
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	54	10	55	(69)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	65	14	64	(71)
Cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Gains (losses) on interest rate derivatives
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and other financial charges	(15)	(26)	(15)	(55)
Cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Foreign exchange contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
GE Capital revenues from services	78	37	78	(5)
Cash flow hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Other
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other	1	2	1	(11)
Benefit plan items
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, reclassifications	(806)	(700)	(1,668)	(1,396)
Benefit plan items, Benefit (provision) for income taxes	270	237	558	474
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	(536)	(463)	(1,110)	(922)
Curtailment gain (loss)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, reclassifications	0	1	(46)	1
Amortization of prior service costs
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, reclassifications	(29)	(37)	(59)	(74)
Benefit plan items, Benefit (provision) for income taxes	19	20	38	41
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	(10)	(17)	(21)	(33)
Amortization of actuarial gains (losses)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Benefit plan items, reclassifications	(777)	(664)	(1,563)	(1,323)
Benefit plan items, Benefit (provision) for income taxes	251	217	504	433
Total reclassification adjustments (net of tax)	$ (526)	$ (447)	$ (1,059)	$ (890)