Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (WMC and GE Industrial) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Roll forward of reserve and penidng claims
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ (109)	$ (197)
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	1,856		2,299
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	2,307		2,381
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(109)	(197)
WMC Discontinued Operations [Member]
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Adjustment For Pending Claims For Unmet Representations And Warranties	107
Increase To Reserve For Claims For Unmet Representations And Warranties For Adverse Effect In Assumptions	700
Roll forward of reserve and penidng claims
Reserves Related to Unmet Contractual Representations and Warranties	740		633
Provision Related To Unmet Contractual Representation And Warranties	107
Settlements Related To Unmet Contractual Representations And Warranties	0
Pending Repurchase Claims Based Upon Representations And Warranties	6,210		5,357	705
New Claims Based Upon Representations And Warranties	853
Settlements Of Claims Based Upon Representation And Warranties	0
Revenues from discontinued operations	(107)	(7)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	71	9
Number Of Lawsuits Involving Repurchase Claims On Loans	16
Number Of Securitizations Related To Lawsuits Involving repurchase Claims On Loans In Which Adverse Parties Are Securitization Trustees	13
Number Of Lawsuits Involving Repurchase Claims On Loans Based On Breach Of Contract Claims On Mortgage Loans	nine
Number Of Lawsuits Involving Repurchase Claims On Loans Initiated By Divested Business	four
Percentage Increase To Estimates Of Future Loan Repurchase Requests	50.00%
Percentage Increase To Estimated Loss On Loans Tendered	100.00%
Number Of Litigation Claims That Are Samplings Based Claims	two
Sampling Based Litigation Claims Amount Of Mortgages	900
Number Of Litigation Claims Based On Alleged Failure To Provide Notice On Defective Loans Breach Of Corporate Representation And Warranty On Non Specific Claims for Recessionary Damages	seven
Liabilities Related To Remaining Litigation Claims	3,100
Statute Of Limitation Claims	900
Consumer Ireland [Member]
Roll forward of reserve and penidng claims
Revenues from discontinued operations		4
Discontinued Operation Revenue Insignificant Amount	insignificant amount
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	1	(188)
Incremental loss on disposal		147
Consideration Received For Sale Of Business		227
Trailer Services [Member]
Roll forward of reserve and penidng claims
Revenues from discontinued operations	93	102
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	14	20
Incremental loss on disposal	$ 53