Financing Receivables and Allowance for Losses on Financing Receivables(Net Investment in Financing Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	$ 242,575	$ 258,207
Less allowance for losses	(5,170)	(5,178)	(5,084)	(4,944)
Financing receivables - net (Notes 4)	237,405	253,029
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	121,520	129,269
Less allowance for losses	(826)	(1,005)	(910)	(1,041)
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Americas CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	66,871	69,036
Less allowance for losses	(426)	(473)	(470)	(496)
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | CLL Financing Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	110,139	116,467
Less allowance for losses	(805)	(978)	(887)	(1,021)
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GE International [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	43,268	47,431
Less allowance for losses	(379)	(505)	(417)	(525)
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Energy Financial Services Financing Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	2,798	3,107
Less allowance for losses	(6)	(8)	(11)	(9)
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | GECAS Financing Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	8,449	9,377
Less allowance for losses	(15)	(17)	(10)	(8)
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Other Financing Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	134	318
Less allowance for losses	0	(2)	(2)	(3)
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	19,799	19,899
Less allowance for losses	(154)	(192)	(170)	(320)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	101,256	109,039
Less allowance for losses	(4,190)	(3,981)	(4,004)	(3,583)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Non US residential mortgages [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	27,674	30,501
Less allowance for losses	(439)	(358)	(440)	(480)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Non US installment and revolving credit [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	10,098	13,677
Less allowance for losses	(445)	(594)	(593)	(582)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | US installment and revolving credit [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	55,258	55,854
Less allowance for losses	(3,053)	(2,823)	(2,721)	(2,282)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Non US auto [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	1,588	2,054
Less allowance for losses	(147)	(56)	(67)	(67)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Consumer Other Financing Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net of Deferred Income	6,638	6,953
Less allowance for losses	$ (106)	$ (150)	$ (183)	$ (172)