Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (GE Money Japan Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 GE Money Japan [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] JPY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] Upper Limit [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] Lower Limit [Member] USD ($)
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Dates			2017
Other Tax Carryforward, Expiration Dates			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							336
Liability For Reimbursement Of Claims In Excess Of Statutory Interest Rate			695
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										350	100
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ 553	$ (195)	$ 770	$ (230)	$ 327		$ 354	$ 1
Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax Insignificant amount						insignificant amount