Supplemental Information About The Credit Quality Of Financing Receivables And Allowance For Losses On Financing Receivables (Commercial) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Credit Quality Financing Receivables [Abstract]
Increase Decrease In Financing Receivables	$ 271
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	273,936	295,037
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Allowance for losses as a percent of nonaccrual financing receivables	25.00%	32.40%
Allowance for losses as a percent of nonearning financing receivables	36.00%	44.30%
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	273,936	295,037
Unsecured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross		596
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross		596
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	137,810	148,570
Non-impaired financing receivables	132,741	142,908
General reserves	554	718
Total impaired loans	5,069	5,662
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	487	812
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	1.70%	1.80%
Over 90 days past due	0.90%	1.10%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	4,166	4,718
Amount of nonaccrual loans currently paying in accordance with contractual terms	2,647	1,227
Nonearning financing receivables	2,890	3,451
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	5,069	5,662
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	487	812
Impaired Loans And Leases Receivable Interest Income Recognized	253	193
Interest income recognized on a cash basis	92	59
Average investment in loans	5,688	5,866
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	137,810	148,570
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	128,899	135,463
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	128,899	135,463
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	3,303	5,006
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	3,303	5,006
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,115	6,432
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,115	6,432
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	136,317	146,901
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	136,317	146,901
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Unsecured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	458	325
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	458	325
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Unsecured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	583	748
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	583	748
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Unsecured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	452
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	452
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	3,697	3,305
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	3,697	3,305
Unpaid principal balance	4,920	3,515
Average investment in loans	3,694	3,382
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	1,372	2,357
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	487	812
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	1,372	2,357
Unpaid principal balance	1,858	2,364
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	487	812
Average investment in loans	1,994	2,484
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,851	5,912
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	0.00%	0.30%
Over 90 days past due	0.00%	0.30%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	0	22
Nonearning financing receivables	0	22
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,851	5,912
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,725	5,727
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,725	5,727
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	24
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	24
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	18
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	18
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,725	5,769
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,725	5,769
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	0	4
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	0	4
Unpaid principal balance	0	4
Average investment in loans	2	20
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	0	18
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	0	9
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	0	18
Unpaid principal balance	0	18
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	0	9
Average investment in loans	7	87
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,915	11,901
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	0.00%	0.00%
Over 90 days past due	0.00%	0.00%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	3	69
Nonearning financing receivables	0	55
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,915	11,901
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,681	10,881
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,681	10,881
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	223	970
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	223	970
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	11	50
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	11	50
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,915	11,901
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,915	11,901
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	0	28
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	0	28
Unpaid principal balance	0	28
Average investment in loans	17	59
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	3	0
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	0	0
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	3	0
Unpaid principal balance	3	0
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	0	0
Average investment in loans	5	11
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	486	1,282
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	2.80%	3.70%
Over 90 days past due	2.80%	3.50%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	25	115
Nonearning financing receivables	13	65
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	486	1,282
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	486	1,282
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	486	1,282
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	0
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	0
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	486	1,282
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	486	1,282
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	17	62
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	17	62
Unpaid principal balance	28	63
Average investment in loans	26	67
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	8	75
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	2	29
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	8	75
Unpaid principal balance	8	75
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	2	29
Average investment in loans	40	97
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	72,517	80,505
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	1.10%	1.30%
Over 90 days past due	0.50%	0.80%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	1,951	2,417
Nonearning financing receivables	1,333	1,862
Impaired Loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	2,577	2,746
Changes In Loans Modified As Troubled Debt Restructurings	1,739
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	72,517	80,505
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	68,360	73,103
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	68,360	73,103
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	1,775	2,816
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	1,775	2,816
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	2,382	4,586
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	2,382	4,586
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	72,517	80,505
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	72,517	80,505
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	2,487	2,136
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	2,487	2,136
Unpaid principal balance	2,927	2,219
Average investment in loans	2,535	2,128
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	557	1,367
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	178	425
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	557	1,367
Unpaid principal balance	681	1,415
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	178	425
Average investment in loans	987	1,468
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	37,035	36,899
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	3.70%	3.80%
Over 90 days past due	2.10%	2.10%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	1,740	1,599
Nonearning financing receivables	1,299	1,167
Impaired Loans
Changes In Loans Modified As Troubled Debt Restructurings	992
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	37,035	36,899
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	33,754	33,481
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	33,754	33,481
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	1,188	1,080
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	1,188	1,080
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	1,256	1,002
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	1,256	1,002
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	36,198	35,563
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	36,198	35,563
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	1,131	936
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	1,131	936
Unpaid principal balance	1,901	1,060
Average investment in loans	1,009	1,001
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Europe CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	643	730
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	278	263
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	643	730
Unpaid principal balance	978	717
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	278	263
Average investment in loans	805	602
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	11,401	11,635
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	0.90%	1.30%
Over 90 days past due	0.60%	1.00%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	395	428
Nonearning financing receivables	193	269
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	11,401	11,635
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,732	10,644
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	10,732	10,644
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	117	116
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	117	116
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	372	685
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	372	685
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	11,221	11,445
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	11,221	11,445
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	62	85
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	62	85
Unpaid principal balance	64	83
Average investment in loans	62	94
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Asia CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	109	156
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	23	84
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	109	156
Unpaid principal balance	120	128
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	23	84
Average investment in loans	134	214
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	605	436
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	0.10%	2.00%
Over 90 days past due	0.00%	0.10%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	52	68
Nonearning financing receivables	52	11
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	605	436
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	161	345
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	161	345
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	0
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	94	91
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	94	91
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	255	436
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	255	436
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	0	54
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	0	54
Unpaid principal balance	0	58
Average investment in loans	43	13
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	52	11
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	6	2
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	52	11
Unpaid principal balance	68	11
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	6	2
Average investment in loans	16	5
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	121,558	129,475
Past Due Financing Receivables
Over 30 days past due	1.90%	2.00%
Over 90 days past due	1.00%	1.20%
Nonaccrual Financing Receivables
Nonaccrual loans	4,138	4,512
Nonearning financing receivables	2,877	3,309
Impaired Loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	3,872	3,642
Loans Modified As Troubled Debt Restructuring That Have Subsequently Experienced Payment Default	217	101
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	121,558	129,475
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Low Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	113,007	117,573
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	113,007	117,573
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator Moderate Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	3,080	4,012
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	3,080	4,012
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator High Risk [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,104	6,364
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	4,104	6,364
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Secured Credit Quality Indicator [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	120,191	127,949
Credit Quality Indicators
Loans and leases receivable, Gross	120,191	127,949
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | No Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	3,680	3,211
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	3,680	3,211
Unpaid principal balance	4,892	3,420
Average investment in loans	3,649	3,236
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Related Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses
Total impaired loans	1,361	2,264
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	485	774
Impaired Loans
Total impaired loans	1,361	2,264
Unpaid principal balance	1,847	2,271
Allowance for losses (specific reserves)	485	774
Average investment in loans	1,942	2,289
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member] | Modifications Classified As TDRs In Last Twelve Months [Member]
Impaired Loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	2,935	1,856
Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member] | Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 77