Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (GE Money Japan Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] JPY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] Upper Limit [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] Lower Limit [Member] USD ($)
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date							Dec. 31, 2017
Other Partial Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Date							Dec. 31, 2019
Threshold above which claims become company's responsibility					$ 3,000		$ 3,000			¥ 258,000
Increase Adjustment To Liability For Reimbursement Of Claims In Excess Of Statutory Interest Rate							205
Liability For Reimbursement Of Claims In Excess Of Statutory Interest Rate							527		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	83	107	313	857
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	(108)	(4)	(390)	(506)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ (83)	$ (107)	$ (313)	$ (857)	$ (80)	$ (9)	$ (196)	$ (363)