Summary of Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 10,247	$ 10,916	$ 20,762	$ 22,384
Corporate items and eliminations revenues	722	902	1,608	1,659
Segment profit	1,721	2,454	3,815	4,507
GE provision for income taxes	216	(13)	18	(97)
Earnings from continuing operations	1,703	1,789	3,636	3,727
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(24)	(243)
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	1,828	1,801	3,773	3,619
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.06129%)		(0.07%)
Percent increase decrease in Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(0.03119%)		(0.02%)
Percent Increase (Decrease) In Earnings (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	0.70732%		0.90123%
Percent increase decrease in net earnings attributable to the Company	0.0006%		0.03674%
CLL [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,611	3,907	7,193	7,414
Segment profit	541	825	1,105	1,223
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.07576%)		(0.03%)
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit	(0.34424%)		(0.10%)
Consumer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,598	3,650	7,200	7,475
Segment profit	472	830	1,258	1,364
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.01425%)		(0.04%)
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit	(0.43133%)		(0.08%)
Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	664	872	1,295	2,529
Segment profit	289	435	528	1,125
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.23853%)		(0.49%)
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit	(0.33563%)		(0.53%)
Energy Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	307	303	776	646
Segment profit	76	60	229	143
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.0132%		0.20%
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit	0.26667%		0.60%
GECAS [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,345	1,282	2,690	2,661
Segment profit	343	304	695	652
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.04914%		0.01%
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit	0.12829%		0.07%
Total Segment Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,525	10,014	19,154	20,725
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.04883%)		(0.08%)
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit	(0.2987%)		(0.15%)
Corporate Items And Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	$ 143	$ (530)	$ (18)	$ (645)
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.19956%)		(0.03%)
Percent Increase Decrease In Segment Profit			0.97%
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Segment Profit	F