Supplemental Cash Flows Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Non-cash transactions foreclosed properties and repossessed assets	$ 839	$ 859	$ 1,915
All other operating activities
Net change in other assets	203	215	28
Amortization of intangible assets	450	566	653
Realized losses on investment securities	34	197	91
Cash collateral on derivative contracts	2,900	1,247	0
Change in other liabilities	524	(1,229)	(2,709)
Other	1,281	2,286	4,419
All other operating activities	5,392	3,282	2,482
Net decrease (increase) in GECC financing receivables
Increase in loans to customers	(308,727)	(322,853)	(309,548)
Principal collections from customers - loans	307,711	332,548	327,139
Investment in equipment for financing leases	(9,192)	(9,610)	(10,065)
Principal collections from customers - financing leases	10,976	12,431	14,743
Net change in credit card receivables	(8,027)	(6,263)	(4,554)
Sales of financing receivables	12,642	8,117	5,331
Net decrease (increase) in financing receivables (Note 19)	5,383	14,370	23,046
All other investing activities
Purchases of securities by insurance activities	(2,645)	(1,786)	(1,712)
Dispositions and maturities of securities by insurance activities	2,999	2,856	3,136
Other assets - investments	7,714	5,822	1,536
Change in other receivables	123	(128)	525
Other	3,510	537	6,475
All other investing activities	11,701	7,301	9,960
Newly issued debt (maturities longer than 90 days)
Newly issued debt short-term (91 to 365 days)	59	10	2,496
Newly issued debt long-term (longer than one year)	55,782	43,257	35,475
Proceeds - nonrecourse, leveraged lease	0	0	0
Newly issued debt (maturities longer than 90 days)	55,841	43,267	37,971
Repayments and other reductions (maturities longer than 90 days)
Repayments and other reductions of Short-term (91 to 365 days)	(94,114)	(81,918)	(95,170)
Repayments and other reductions of Long-term (longer than one year)	(9,368)	(2,786)	(1,571)
Principal payments - nonrecourse, leveraged lease	(426)	(732)	(638)
Repayments and other reductions (maturities longer than 90 days)	(103,908)	(85,436)	(97,379)
All other financing activities
Proceeds from sales of investment contracts	2,697	4,396	5,337
Redemption of investment contracts	(5,515)	(6,230)	(8,647)
Other	(50)	42	(8)
All other financing activities	$ (2,868)	$ (1,792)	$ (3,318)