Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	$ 113,587	$ 136,333
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	230,402	234,391
Non Recourse Borrowings Of Consolidated Securitization Entities	31,171	29,258
Bank deposits (Note 6)	45,196	43,115
Total borrowings and bank deposits	420,356	443,097
US Commercial Paper [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	33,196	33,591
Non US Commercial Paper [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	9,861	10,569
Current Portion Of Long Term Borrowings [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	61,071	82,650
GE Interest Plus notes [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	8,301	8,474
Other Short Term Borrowing [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	1,158	1,049
Short-term Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	113,587	136,333
Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	207,852	210,154
Subordinated notes [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	4,979	4,862
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	7,239	7,215
Other Long Term Borrowing [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	10,332	12,160
Long-term Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	$ 230,402	$ 234,391