Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 27,072	$ 27,230
Intangible assets subject to amortization	1,443	1,546
Total	1,443	1,546
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	27,072	27,230
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(158)
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	158
Currency Exchange Effect On Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	145
CLL [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	13,636	13,745
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	13,636	13,745
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(109)
Consumer [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	10,757	10,775
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	10,757	10,775
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(18)
Real Estate [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	970	1,001
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	970	1,001
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	(31)
Energy Financial Services [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	1,562	1,562
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,562	1,562
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	0
GECAS [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	147	147
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	147	147
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions, currency exchange and other	$ 0

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The change during the reporting period in the carrying value of goodwill. The change could be the result of new goodwill acquired, goodwill impairment during the period, goodwill written off related to the sale of a business or other adjustments to goodwill.

+ References+ Details