EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Consolidated
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 5,817	$ 416	$ (20,997)
Preferred stock dividends	(474)	(460)	(447)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(151)	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	5,191	(45)	(21,445)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(125)	(5,396)	(1,372)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 5,066	$ (5,440)	$ (22,809)
Average equivalent shares
Shares of GE common stock outstanding (in shares)	8,753	8,724	8,691
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) and warrants (in shares)	9	0	0
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)	8,761	8,724	8,691
Per-share amounts
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ (0.01)	$ (2.47)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.62)	(0.16)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ (0.62)	$ (2.62)
Consolidated
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 5,817	$ 416	$ (20,997)
Preferred stock dividends	(474)	(460)	(447)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(151)	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	5,191	(45)	(21,445)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(125)	(5,396)	(1,372)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 5,066	$ (5,440)	$ (22,809)
Average equivalent shares
Shares of GE common stock outstanding (in shares)	8,753	8,724	8,691
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) and warrants (in shares)	0	0	0
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)	8,753	8,724	8,691
Per-share amounts
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ (0.01)	$ (2.47)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.62)	(0.16)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ (0.62)	$ (2.62)
Outstanding anti-dilutive stock awards not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	444	450	420