Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Apr. 03, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Issued and outstanding senior, unsecured debt guaranteed by the FDIC	$ 16,950		$ 35,040
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	225,539		234,391
Principal Amount Of GICs Redeemed	386
Amount Of GICs Redeemable By Holder		1,120
Secured Debt	8,144		8,538
Amount subsidiary would be required to partially cash collateralize for covered bonds if the short-term credit rating of GECC were reduced below A-1/P-1	696
Bank deposits (Note 6)	41,942		43,115
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	119,796		136,333
Guaranteed investment contracts [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term debt, current maturities	869		1,845
Subordinated Notes Guaranteed By GE [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term debt, current maturities			117
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	300		417
Covered Bonds Included in Other Long Term Borrowings [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	1,894		1,955
Borrowings Issued By Consolidated Securitzation Entites [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	21,962		18,544
Non US Banks [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Bank deposits (Note 6)	15,224		16,281
Subordinated Debenture [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	2,814
Current Portion Of Long Term Borrowings [Member] | Borrowings Issued By Consolidated Securitzation Entites [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term debt, current maturities	8,734		10,714
Non Recourse [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Debt	3,276		2,983
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Debt	$ 18,244		$ 17,201