Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	$ 215,503	$ 224,776
Secured Debt	9,855	9,757
U.S. dollar equivalent of subordinated debentures hedged at issuance	7,725
Bank deposits (Note 6)	50,761	46,461
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	79,830	95,940
Guaranteed investment contracts [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	526	604
Subordinated Notes Guaranteed By GE [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	300	300
Non US Banks [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Bank deposits (Note 6)	15,847	16,157
Subordinated Debenture [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	2,913
Non Recourse [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Debt	3,808	3,294
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 16,557	$ 17,291