Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 27,304	$ 27,230
Intangible assets subject to amortization	1,294	1,546
Total	1,294	1,546
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill	27,304	27,230
Acquisitions	0	6
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	74	(284)
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	74	278
Currency Exchange Effect On Goodwill [Member]
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	180	89
CLL [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	13,726	13,745	13,893
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill	13,726	13,745	13,893
Acquisitions	0	6
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(19)	(154)
Consumer [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	10,943	10,775	10,817
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill	10,943	10,775	10,817
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	168	(42)
Real Estate [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	926	1,001	1,089
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill	926	1,001	1,089
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(75)	(88)
Energy Financial Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,562	1,562	1,562
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill	1,562	1,562	1,562
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	0	0
GECAS [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	147	147	147
Changes in goodwill balances
Goodwill	147	147	147
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	$ 0	$ 0

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Change in the carrying value of goodwill. The change could be the result of new goodwill acquired, goodwill impairment, if any, goodwill written off related to the sale of a business or other adjustments to goodwill.

+ References+ Details