Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	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	$ 12,550			$ 35,040
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	230,402			234,391
Secured Debt	8,061			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	711
U.S. dollar equivalent of subordinated debentures hedged at issuance	7,725
Bank deposits (Note 6)	45,196			43,115
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	113,587			136,333
Guaranteed investment contracts [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term debt, current maturities	817			1,845
Principal Amount Of GICs Redeemed	386	386
Amount Of GICs Redeemable By Holder			1,120
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)	1,942			1,955
Borrowings Issued By Consolidated Securitzation Entites [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	22,657			18,544
Non US Banks [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Bank deposits (Note 6)	16,030			16,281
Subordinated Debenture [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	2,865
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	8,514			10,714
Non Recourse [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Debt	3,260			2,983
Non Recourse [Member] | Guaranteed investment contracts [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Amount GECC could be required to repay for obligations to holders of GICs if long-term credit rating falls below AA-/A2	731
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Debt	$ 18,538			$ 17,201