BUSINESSES HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Financial Information for Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests	$ (121)	$ (146)	$ (1,673)	$ (385)
Assets
Assets	5,053		5,053		$ 5,912
Liabilities
Liabilities	1,949		1,949		706
GE Capital
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests	(66)	(146)	(1,618)	(388)
Assets
Assets	5,053		5,053		5,912
Liabilities
Liabilities	1,872		1,872		683
Discontinued Operations
Operations
Total revenues and other income (loss)	4	9	(1,468)	88
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(156)	(216)	(1,730)	(412)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	35	66	54	128
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(121)	(150)	(1,676)	(284)
Disposal
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes	0	8	4	(19)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0	(3)	(1)	(81)
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes	0	4	3	(100)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests	(121)	(146)	(1,673)	(385)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(156)	(215)	(1,726)	(438)
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	615		615		757
Investment securities	425		425		647
Deferred income taxes	885		885		951
Financing receivables held for sale	2,912		2,912		3,215
Other assets	217		217		342
Assets	5,053		5,053		5,912
Liabilities
Accounts payable	47		47		51
Borrowings	0		0		1
Other liabilities	1,903		1,903		654
Liabilities	1,949		1,949		$ 706
Discontinued Operations | GE Capital
Disposal
Current tax benefit (provision) for discontinued operations and disposals	132	253	123	(323)
Deferred tax benefit (provision)	(97)	(190)	(70)	370
Discontinued Operations | GE Capital | U.S. Federal
Disposal
Current tax benefit (provision) for discontinued operations and disposals	$ 37	$ 68	$ 61	$ (519)