Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Foreign income before taxes		$ 1,000	$ 871	$ 704
Federal corporate income tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Reduction of net deferred tax liabilities		$ 12,400
Net tax benefit related to cumulative undistributed foreign earnings and foreign tax credits		382
One-time repatriation tax on cumulative undistributed foreign earnings and profits		101
Deferred tax liability attributable to temporary differences in other comprehensive income		108
Increase in deferred income tax liabilities related to acquisitions		51
Deferred tax related to purchase of noncontrolling interest		112
Net deferred tax liability, franchise rights		15,000
Liability for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, Noncurrent		809	$ 1,103	$ 1,136
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate		1,200
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest on income taxes accrued		173	483
Uncertain Tax Positions Indemnified by GE [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Liability for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, Noncurrent		162
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest on income taxes accrued		43	$ 39
Federal Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards		348
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards		$ 387