Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (WMC and GE Industrial) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer RV Marine [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer RV Marine [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Consumer RV Marine [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer RV Marine [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer RV Marine [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer Mexico [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Mexico [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer Mexico [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Mexico [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer Singapore [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Singapore [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Consumer Singapore [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer Singapore [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Singapore [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Australian Home Lending [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Australian Home Lending [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Australian Home Lending [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Australian Home Lending [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Australian Home Lending [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Australian Home Lending [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer Ireland [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Ireland [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Consumer Ireland [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Consumer Ireland [Member]
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pending Repurchase Claims Based Upon Representations And Warranties						$ 2,731		$ 2,731		$ 705	$ 347
Reserves Related to Unmet Contractual Representations and Warranties						491		491		140
Adverse Percentage Change In Assumptions That Would Effect Claims For Unmet Representations And Warranties						10.00%
Percentage Increase To Estimates Of Future Loan Repurchase Requests And Estimated Percentage Of Loans Repurchased						50.00%		50.00%
Increase To Reserve For Claims For Unmet Representations And Warranties For Adverse Effect In Assumptions	500					351
Revenues from discontinued operations						(351)		(358)					6			11	(1)	12		67	1	2		1	31			101	1	215		2	4	6	8
Discontinued Operation Revenue Insignificant Amount							insignificant amount	Assets at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 primarily comprised cash, financing receivables and a deferred tax asset for a loss carryforward, which expires principally in 2017 and in part in 2019, related to the sale of our GE Money Japan business. GE Money Japan During the third quarter of 2007, we committed to a plan to sell our Japanese personal loan business, Lake, upon determining that, despite restructuring, Japanese regulatory limits for interest charges on unsecured personal loans did not permit us to earn an acceptable return. During the third quarter of 2008, we completed the sale of GE Money Japan, which included Lake, along with our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our investment in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd. In connection with the sale, we reduced the proceeds from the sale for estimated interest refund claims in excess of the statutory interest rate. Proceeds from the sale were to be increased or decreased based on the actual claims experienced in accordance with loss-sharing terms specified in the sale agreement, with all claims in excess of 258 billion Japanese yen (approximately $3,000 million) remaining our responsibility. The underlying portfolio to which this obligation relates is in runoff and interest rates were capped for all designated accounts by mid-2009. In the third quarter of 2010, we began making reimbursements under this arrangement. Our overall claims experience developed unfavorably through 2010. We believe that the level of excess interest refund claims was impacted by the challenging global economic conditions, in addition to Japanese legislative and regulatory changes. In September 2010, a large independent personal loan company in Japan filed for bankruptcy, which precipitated a significant amount of publicity surrounding excess interest refund claims in the Japanese marketplace, along with substantial legal advertising. We observed an increase in claims during the latter part of 2010 and the first two months of 2011. Since February and through the end of 2011, we experienced substantial declines in the rate of incoming claims, though the overall rate of reduction was slower than we expected. The September 2010 bankruptcy filing referenced above had a significant effect on the pace of incoming claim declines and it is difficult to predict the pace and pattern at which claims will continue to decelerate. During the first half of 2012, we recorded increases to our reserve of $336 million to reflect an excess of claims activity over our previous estimates and, based on recent experience, revisions to our assumptions about the level of future claim activity. We continue to closely monitor and evaluate claims activity. At June 30, 2012, our reserve for reimbursement of claims in excess of the statutory interest rate was $695 million. The amount of these reserves is based on analyses of recent and historical claims experience, pending and estimated future excess interest refund requests, the estimated percentage of customers who present valid requests, and our estimated payments related to those requests. Our estimated liability for excess interest refund claims at June 30, 2012 assumes the pace of incoming claims will continue to decelerate, average exposure per claim remains consistent with recent experience, and we continue to see the impact of loss mitigation efforts. Estimating the pace and pattern of decline in incoming claims has a significant effect on the total amount of our liability. While the pace of incoming claims continues to decline, it is highly variable and difficult to predict. Holding all other assumptions constant, for example, adverse changes of 20% and 50% in assumed incoming daily claim rate reduction would result in an increase to our reserves of approximately $100 million and $350 million, respectively. Uncertainties about the likelihood of consumers to present valid claims, the runoff status of the underlying book of business, the financial status of other personal lending companies in Japan, challenging economic conditions and the impact of laws and regulations make it difficult to develop a meaningful estimate of the aggregate possible claims exposure. Additionally, the Japanese government is currently considering the introduction of proposed legislation to develop a framework for collective legal action proceedings. Recent trends, including the effect of consumer activity, market activity regarding other personal loan companies, higher claims severity and potential Japanese legislative actions, may continue to have an adverse effect on claims development. GE Money Japan losses from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $327 million and an insignificant amount in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $354 million and $1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. WMC During the fourth quarter of 2007, we completed the sale of WMC, our U.S. mortgage business. WMC substantially discontinued all new loan originations by the second quarter of 2007, and is not a loan servicer. In connection with the sale, WMC retained certain representation and warranty obligations related to loans sold to third parties prior to the disposal of the business and contractual obligations to repurchase previously sold loans as to which there was an early payment default. All claims received by WMC for early payment default have either been resolved or are no longer being pursued. Pending repurchase claims based upon representations and warranties made in connection with loan sales were $2,731 million at June 30, 2012, $705 million at December 31, 2011 and $347 million at December 31, 2010. Pending claims represent those active repurchase claims that identify the specific loans tendered for repurchase and, for each loan, the alleged breach of a representation or warranty. The amounts reported reflect the purchase price or unpaid principal balances of the loans at the time of purchase and do not give effect to pay downs, accrued interest or fees, or potential recoveries based upon the underlying collateral. Historically, a small percentage of the total loans WMC originated and sold has been tendered for repurchase, and of those loans tendered, only a limited amount has qualified as “validly tendered,” meaning the loans sold did not satisfy contractual obligations. The increase in loan repurchase claims in the second quarter was driven by an increase in activity by securitization trustees and certain investors in residential mortgage-backed securities issued beginning in the second quarter of 2006, and, we believe, may reflect applicable statutes of limitations considerations. WMC is a party to nine lawsuits involving repurchase claims on loans included in six private-label securitizations.  Seven of these actions were commenced in the second quarter of 2012, one was commenced in July 2012 and one began in the third quarter of 2011.  Five of the actions were initiated by WMC. Adverse to WMC in these cases are affiliates of either Deutsche Bank National Trust Company (Deutsche Bank) or US Bank National Association, solely in their capacity as trustees for the securitization trusts at issue in the cases.  In two actions commenced by Deutsche Bank, it purports to assert approximately $850 million of claims beyond those included in WMC’s previously discussed pending claims at June 30, 2012, based on loan sampling. WMC intends to defend itself vigorously. Reserves related to contractual representations and warranties were $491 million and $140 million at June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively, and reflect an increase to reserves in the second quarter of 2012 of $351 million due to higher pending claims and an increase in estimated future loan repurchase requests. The amount of these reserves is based upon pending and estimated future loan repurchase requests, the estimated percentage of loans validly tendered for repurchase, and WMC’s historical loss rates on loans repurchased. Assuming a 10% increase in our estimated loss rate and 50% increases to our estimates of future loan repurchase requests and estimated percentage of loans repurchased would result in an increase to our reserves of approximately $500 million. Our reserve reflects our judgment, based on currently available information, and a number of assumptions, including economic conditions, claim activity, pending and threatened litigation and indemnification demands, and other activity in the mortgage industry. Uncertainties surrounding economic conditions, the ability and propensity of mortgage holders to present valid claims, governmental actions, pending and threatened litigation against WMC, including increased activity by securitization trustees, indemnification demands and other activity in the mortgage industry make it difficult to develop a meaningful estimate of aggregate possible claims exposure. Actual losses could exceed the reserve amount if actual claim rates, governmental actions, litigation and indemnification activity, or losses WMC incurs on repurchased loans differ from our assumptions.   WMC revenues (loss) from discontinued operations were $(351) million and an insignificant amount in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $(358) million and an insignificant amount in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In total, WMC’s losses from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $227 million and $1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $236 million and $3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Other In the first quarter of 2012, we announced the planned disposition of Consumer Ireland and classified the business as discontinued operations. Consumer Ireland revenues from discontinued operations were $2 million and $4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $6 million and $8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Consumer Ireland earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $2 million and $(23) million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $(186) million (including a $131 million loss on disposal) and $(44) million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In the second quarter of 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell our Australian Home Lending operations and classified it as discontinued operations. As a result, we recognized an after-tax loss of $148 million in 2011. We completed the sale in the third quarter of 2011 for proceeds of approximately $4,577 million. Australian Home Lending revenues from discontinued operations were an insignificant amount and $101 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1 million and $215 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Australian Home Lending earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were an insignificant amount and $(117) million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $2 million and $ (80) million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In the first quarter of 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell our Consumer Singapore business for $692 million. The sale was completed in the second quarter of 2011 and resulted in the recognition of a gain on disposal, net of taxes, of $319 million. Consumer Singapore revenues from discontinued operations were $1 million and $2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1 million and $31 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Consumer Singapore earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $1 million and $319 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1 million and $326 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2010, we entered into agreements to sell our Consumer RV Marine portfolio and Consumer Mexico business. The Consumer RV Marine and Consumer Mexico dispositions were completed during the first quarter and the second quarter of 2011, respectively, for proceeds of $2,365 million and $1,943 million, respectively. Consumer RV Marine revenues from discontinued operations were an insignificant amount and $6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and an insignificant amount and $11 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Consumer RV Marine earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $1 million and $2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and an insignificant amount and $2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Consumer Mexico revenues (losses) from discontinued operations were $(1) million and $12 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and an insignificant amount and $67 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Consumer Mexico earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $(2) million and $17 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $(4) million and $33 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.	insignificant amount			insignificant amount			insignificant amount				insignificant amount							insignificant amount
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(553)	195	(770)	230		227	1	236	3			1	2			2	(2)	17	(4)	33	1	319		1	326			(117)	2	(80)		2	(23)	(186)	(44)
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity Insignificant Amount															insignificant amount											insignificant amount
Agreed Upon Selling Price Of Disposal Business																							692				4,577
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	1,481		1,481		1,669
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	1,783		1,783		1,471
Incremental loss on disposal																						(319)									(148)			(131)
Consideration Received For Sale Of Business														2,365				1,943
Reported Claims Beyond Those Included In Previously Discussed Pending Claims						$ 850		$ 850