Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (GE Money Japan Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] JPY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] Upper Limit [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] Lower Limit [Member] USD ($)
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward Date Of Expiration					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								344
Liability For Reimbursement Of Claims In Excess Of Statutory Interest Rate			578
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	111	64	881	(166)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ (111)	$ (64)	$ (881)	$ 166		$ (9)	$ 2	$ (363)	$ 2