Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (GE Money Japan Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] Upper Limit [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] Lower Limit [Member] USD ($)
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Date Of Expiration													2017
Other Tax Carryforward, Expiration Dates													2019
Threshold above which claims become company's responsibility												$ 3,000	$ 3,000			¥ 258,000
Increase (Decrease) in Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserve												286	630
Liability For Reimbursement Of Claims In Excess Of Statutory Interest Rate													700
Adverse Incoming Daily Claim Rate Reduction Assumption Sensitivity Test For Liability Calculation																	50.00%	20.00%
Sensitivity Analysis Potential Increase (Decrease) To Estimated Contingent Liability																	400	75
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	305	111	553	217	240	64	(195)	(35)	1,186	74	965		649	238	1,671
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent									$ (1,186)	$ (74)	$ (965)