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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate May 01, 2014
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000356476
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate May 01, 2014
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate May 01, 2014
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate May 01, 2014
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West American Century Growth Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 83% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 83.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund, under normal circumstances, invests in stocks of companies the portfolio managers believe will increase in value over time. In implementing this strategy, the portfolio managers make their investment decisions based primarily on their analysis of individual companies, rather than on broad economic forecasts. Management of the Fund is based on the belief that, over the long term, stock price movements follow growth in earnings, revenues and/or cash flow. Although the portfolio managers intend to invest the Fund’s assets primarily in U.S. securities, the Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies, including companies located in emerging markets, and in foreign securities issued in the form of American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”).

The portfolio managers use a variety of analytical research tools and techniques to identify the stocks of larger-sized companies that meet their investment criteria. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will primarily consist of securities of companies demonstrating business improvement. Analytical indicators helping to identify signs of business improvement could include accelerating earnings or revenue growth rates, increasing cash flows, or other indications of the relative strength of a company’s business. These techniques help the portfolio managers buy or hold the stocks of companies they believe have favorable growth prospects and sell the stocks of companies whose characteristics no longer meet their criteria.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Depository Receipts Risk - Depository receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Growth Stock Risk - Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since they usually reinvest a high proportion of earnings in their own business, they may not pay the dividends usually associated with value stocks that can cushion their decline in a falling market. Also, since investors buy these stocks because of the expected superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments may result in sharp price declines.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from large-capitalization stocks and/or growth stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney is subject to the possible loss of your original investment
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
15.85%
March 2012
Worst Quarter
(4.89)%
June 2012
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund | Russell 1000 Growth Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.48%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.81%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 16, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund | Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXGRX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 318
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,225
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.82%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 29.40%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 15.85%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (4.89%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 29.40%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.85%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 16, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund | Great-West American Century Growth Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 127
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 397
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 686
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,511
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund(Ariel MidCap Value Portfolio)
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 41% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 41.00%
Expense Footnotes [Text Block] rr_ExpenseFootnotesTextBlock
GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 1.10% and 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the securities of issuers classified in the medium/small ($3.03 billion to $7.65 billion as of December 31, 2013), medium ($7.65 billion to $22.27 billion as of December 31, 2013) or medium/large ($22.27 billion to $77.11 billion as of December 31, 2013) capitalization quintiles of the Russell 3000® Index. The Fund will emphasize issuers that are believed to be undervalued but demonstrate a strong potential for growth.

The Fund also currently observes the following operating policies: actively seeking investment in companies that achieve excellence in both financial return and environmental soundness, and selecting issuers that take positive steps toward preserving our environment; and not investing in corporations whose primary source of revenue is derived from the production or sale of tobacco products or the manufacture of handguns.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Investment Style Risk - Returns from small- or mid-capitalization stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Over-the-Counter Risk - Over-the-Counter (OTC) listed companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Many OTC stocks may be less liquid and more volatile than exchange-listed stocks.

Sector Risk - Sector risk is a possibility that certain sectors of the economy (such as financial services or consumer discretionary) may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Value Stock Risk - The value investing approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security's intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney is subject to possible loss of your original investment
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares commenced operations on December 20, 2013.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2009
29.45%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(29.57)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares commenced operations on December 20, 2013.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell MidCap® Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell MidCap® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.76%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 22.36%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.22%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMCX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.95%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.15%) [1]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 606
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,340
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 12.28%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 3.40%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.33%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (1.22%)
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (40.38%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 62.95%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 19.54%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (6.87%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 20.20%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 47.54%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 29.45%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (29.57%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 47.54%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 26.33%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.37%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.95%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 44.22%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 45.42%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (44.07%) [1]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Other expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 137
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 428
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 739
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,624
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXAMX
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Bond Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results that track the total return of the debt securities that comprise the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Benchmark Index”).

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 35% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 35.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities included in the Benchmark Index and, using sampling techniques, a portfolio of securities designed to give the Fund the relevant comparable attributes of the Benchmark Index. This may be accomplished through a combination of fixed income securities ownership and owning futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts.

The Benchmark Index covers the U.S. investment-grade bond market, including corporate, government and mortgage-backed securities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.
 
Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

U.S. Government Securities Risk - Yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than yields from many other fixed income securities. U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

U.S. Government Sponsored Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
December 2008
5.28%
Worst Quarter
June 2004
(2.76)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXBIX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.50%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.50%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 51
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 160
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 280
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 628
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 3.28%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 2.10%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 3.81%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.74%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 6.40%
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 6.18%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 6.50%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 7.21%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 3.90%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 (2.51%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.28%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2004
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (2.76%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.51%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.20%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.32%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial Class | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Great-West Bond Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXBJX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.50%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.75%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 77
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 240
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 417
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 930
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.79%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.61% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Great-West Bond Index Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.49% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Federated Bond Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks to provide total return, consisting of two components: (1) changes in the market value of its portfolio holdings (both realized and unrealized appreciation)
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
(2) income received from its portfolio holdings
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 92% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 92.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed income securities at the time of purchase, including mortgage-backed securities, corporate fixed income securities and U.S. government obligations. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans. A portion of the Fund may also be invested in foreign investment grade fixed income securities and domestic or foreign below investment-grade securities. Domestic below investment grade fixed income securities include both convertible and high yield corporate fixed income securities. Foreign governments or corporations in either emerging or developed market countries issue foreign below investment grade and foreign investment grade fixed income securities. The foreign fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest may be denominated in either foreign currency or in U.S. Dollars. If a security is downgraded below any minimum quality grade discussed above, the portfolio managers will re-evaluate the security, but will not be required to sell it. The Fund may use derivative contracts, including interest rate futures, index futures, securities futures, currency futures, currency forward contracts and credit default swaps, to implement elements of its investment strategy. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts will work as intended.

The Fund may allocate relatively more of its holdings to a sector that the portfolio managers expect to offer the best balance between total return and risk. The Fund will provide the appreciation component of total return by selecting those securities whose prices will, in the opinion of the portfolio managers, benefit from anticipated changes in economic and market conditions. The portfolio managers may lengthen or shorten duration from time to time based on their interest rate outlook; however, the Fund has no set duration parameters.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Bank Loan Risk - Bank loans, which include institutionally-traded floating rate securities, are obligations of companies or other entities that are typically issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, and refinancings. Bank loans often involve borrowers whose financial conditions are troubled or uncertain and companies that are highly leveraged. The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling bank loans. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower.

Call Risk - An issuer may redeem a fixed income security before maturity (a “call”) at a price below its current market value.

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which the Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Fund.

High Yield Securities Risk - Below investment grade ("high yield-high risk" or "junk") bonds have a higher degree of credit risk and may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility in market value than investment grade bonds.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.
  
Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

U.S. Government Securities Risk - Yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than yields from many other fixed income securities. U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

U.S. Government Sponsored Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2009
5.41%
Worst Quarter
June 2013
(3.76)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund | Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXFDX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 224
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 390
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 871
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 3.38%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 1.78%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 4.42%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.68%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 1.94%
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 13.07%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 6.88%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 5.85%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 6.08%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 (2.21%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.41%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2013
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (3.76%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.21%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.82%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.72%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund | Great-West Federated Bond Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 303
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 525
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,166
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund(Goldman Sachs MidCap Value Portfolio) Fu
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 225% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 225.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in mid-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Midcap® Value Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Value Index is currently (as of December 31, 2013) between $481.56 million and $26.94 billion.

The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

The Fund is managed using a quantitative investment process. The Sub-Adviser’s quantitative style of investment management emphasizes the three building blocks of active management: fundamentally-based stock selection, careful portfolio construction and efficient implementation. The Fund maintains risk, style, and capitalization characteristics similar to the Russell MidCap® Value Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of mid cap companies with low earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark. The Fund may use derivatives, including futures contracts, to equitize excess cash in the Fund.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Depository Receipts Risk - Depository receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to risk associated with changes in interest rates generally and the credit quality of the individual fixed income securities held.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from mid-capitalization stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Portfolio Turnover Risk - High portfolio turnover rates generally result in higher transaction costs (which are borne directly by the Fund and indirectly by shareholders).

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Value Stock Risk - The value investing approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security's intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2009
22.44%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(17.74)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell MidCap Value Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell MidCap Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.46%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.16%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.67%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2008
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMVX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 127
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 397
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 686
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,511
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 29.27%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 22.49%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.92%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.47%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 33.66%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 22.44%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (17.74%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.66%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 19.78%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.24%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2008
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.50%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 153
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 474
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 818
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,791
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West International Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results, before fees and expenses, that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index (the “Benchmark Index”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 6% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 6.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks of the Benchmark Index or in derivative securities economically related to the Benchmark Index. The Fund will seek investment results, before fees and expenses, that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Benchmark Index. This may be accomplished through ownership of all the stocks in the Benchmark Index, a statistically selected sampling of the stocks in the Benchmark Index, and/or through a combination of stock ownership and owning futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts, and exchange-traded funds that seek to track the Benchmark Index. The Fund does not necessarily invest in all of the stocks in the Benchmark Index, or in the same weightings as the stocks have in the Benchmark Index. The Fund’s Sub-Adviser chooses investments so that the market capitalizations, industry weightings, and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks chosen are similar to those of the Benchmark Index.

The Fund’s benchmark index is the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. As of December 31, 2013, the MSCI EAFE Index consisted of 21 developed market country indices.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.
Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which the Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Fund.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Investment Style Risk - There is a possibility that returns from large-capitalization and/or foreign stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September, 2013
11.26%
Worst Quarter
June, 2012
-7.14%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund | MSCI EAFE Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.78%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.03%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 13, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund | Great-West International Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXINX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 224
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 390
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 871
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.92%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 21.13%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.26%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (7.14%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 21.13%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.78%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 13, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund | Great-West International Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 303
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 525
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,166
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 100% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 100.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of small capitalization companies. The principal type of equity securities purchased by the Fund is common stock. The Fund generally considers a company to be a small capitalization company if it has a market capitalization, at the time of initial purchase, of less than $3.0 billion (as of December 31, 2013). The Fund uses the Russell 2000® Value Index as a guide in structuring and selecting its investments, but will invest in both benchmark index and non-benchmark index securities. Over time the capitalizations of the companies will change. As they do, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund exceeds $3.0 billion, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The Fund will emphasize issuers that are believed to be undervalued but demonstrate a strong potential for growth.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in foreign securities. The Fund may also invest in derivative instruments such as futures contracts and equity linked derivatives including exchange traded funds.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from small- or mid-capitalization stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Portfolio Turnover Risk - High portfolio turnover rates generally result in higher transaction costs (which are borne directly by the Fund and indirectly by shareholders).

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Value Stock Risk - The value investing approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security's intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 30, 2009
22.55%
Worst Quarter
September 30, 2011
-21.29%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000® Value Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.52%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.97%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2008
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSVX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.40%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.40%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 143
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 443
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 766
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,680
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 20.87%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 31.76%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (6.02%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 18.58%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 35.65%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 22.55%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (21.29%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 35.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 19.21%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.97%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2008
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.40%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.65%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 168
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 520
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 897
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,955
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2015, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 50% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 50.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2015 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2015, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 50-70 % of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund I series are generally expected to pursue a more conservative allocation strategy relative to the Fund II or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
3.3%
International Large Growth
1.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
6.0%
Diversified Emerging Markets
1.3%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
2.7%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
29.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
1.7%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
7.5%
Mid Blend
2.6%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
0.9%
Global Bond
6.0%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
0.9%
Inflation-Protected Bond
13.7%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
1.3%
Real Estate
5.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
0.5%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.5%
International Large Value
1.5%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
2.7%
Short-Term Income/Cash
10.2%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
7.06%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-6.77%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2015 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.07%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLTX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.71%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.83% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 85
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 265
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 460
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,025
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.68%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 2.27%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 10.76%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 6.29%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 7.06%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (6.77%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.29%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.25%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLUX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.71%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.93% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 95
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 296
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 515
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,143
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.16%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.71% [4]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.08% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 110
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 343
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 595
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,317
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2015, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 29% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 29.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2015 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2015, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 35-55% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 45-65% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund II series are generally expected to pursue a more moderate allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
4.5%
International Large Growth
1.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
8.1%
Diversified Emerging Markets
1.7%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
3.6%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
25.0%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
2.3%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
6.4%
Mid Blend
3.5%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
1.2%
Global Bond
5.1%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
1.2%
Inflation-Protected Bond
11.7%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
1.8%
Real Estate
5.5%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
0.6%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.7%
International Large Value
2.0%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
3.7%
Short-Term Income/Cash
8.7%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
7.96%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-8.61%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLVX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.74%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.86% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 274
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 475
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,058
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.97%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.54% [5]
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLWX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.74%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.96% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 305
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 529
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,175
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.45% [5]
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T1 | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.58% [5]
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLQX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.74%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.11% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 113
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 352
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 610
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,349
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.59%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.49%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.91%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 8.97%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 7.96%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (8.61%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.73%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.34% [6]
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class L | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.31% [6]
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2015, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 60%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 60.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2015 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2015, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund III series are generally expected to pursue a more aggressive allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund II series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
5.5%
International Large Growth
2.1%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
10.1%
Diversified Emerging Markets
2.1%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
4.5%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
20.9%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
2.8%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
5.3%
Mid Blend
4.3%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
1.5%
Global Bond
4.3%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
1.5%
Inflation-Protected Bond
9.8%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
2.2%
Real Estate
5.9%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
0.8%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
2.0%
International Large Value
2.5%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
4.6%
Short-Term Income/Cash
7.3%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
9.06%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(10.68)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2015 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.13%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.01%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLYX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.76%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.88% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 90
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 282
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 490
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,089
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 12.55%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.31%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.01%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 11.76%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 9.06%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (10.68%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2015 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.76%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.81%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLZX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.76%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.98% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 100
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 313
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 544
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,206
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T1 | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2015 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.73%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.76% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.13% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 116
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 360
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 624
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,379
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2025, the Fund seeks income and
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 42.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2025 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2025, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 40-60% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 40-60% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund I series are generally expected to pursue a more conservative allocation strategy relative to the Fund II or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
4.6%
International Large Growth
2.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
8.4%
Diversified Emerging Markets
2.5%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
3.8%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
28.3%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
2.4%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
7.1%
Mid Blend
3.6%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
1.3%
Global Bond
6.2%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
1.4%
Inflation-Protected Bond
7.1%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
2.2%
Real Estate
4.6%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
0.8%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.5%
International Large Value
2.5%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
4.5.%
Short-Term Income/Cash
5.2%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
8.65%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-9.91%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2025 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.04%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.44%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXALX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.89% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 90
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 283
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 491
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,092
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 12.26%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.22%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 12.54%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 10.48%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 8.65%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (9.91%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.48%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.16%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXBLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.99% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 101
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 314
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 545
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,209
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.37%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.06%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.77% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.14% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 116
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 361
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 626
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,382
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2025, the Fund seeks income and
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 22% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 22.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2025 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2025, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 55-75% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 25-45% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund II series are generally expected to pursue a more moderate allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
6.2%
International Large Growth
2.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
11.3%
Diversified Emerging Markets
3.3%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
5.1%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
20.9%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
3.1%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
5.3%
Mid Blend
4.8%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
1.7%
Global Bond
4.6%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
1.9%
Inflation-Protected Bond
5.2%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
3.0%
Real Estate
4.9%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.0%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.8%
International Large Value
3.3%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
6.0%
Short-Term Income/Cash
3.9%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
9.94%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-12.37%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXCLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.92% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 94
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 293
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 508
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,129
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.23%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.00%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.93%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 14.54%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 9.94%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (12.37%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.54%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.83% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXDLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.02% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 104
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 324
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 562
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,246
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.39%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.73% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class T1 | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.31% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXCDX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.17% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 119
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 371
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 643
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,418
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.33%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.73% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class L | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.54% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2025, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 30.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2025 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2025, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 70-90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 10-30% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund III series are generally expected to pursue a more aggressive allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund II series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
7.7%
International Large Growth
3.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
14.2%
Diversified Emerging Markets
4.1%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
6.3%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
13.7%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
3.9%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
3.4%
Mid Blend
6.0%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.1%
Global Bond
3.0%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
2.4%
Inflation-Protected Bond
3.4%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
3.7%
Real Estate
5.2%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.3%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
2.1%
International Large Value
4.1%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
7.5%
Short-Term Income/Cash
2.5%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Principal Investment Risks
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.00%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(14.64)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2025 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.13%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.31%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXELX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.83%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 302
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 524
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,163
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.32%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.34%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.12%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 18.52%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.00%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (14.64%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.52%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.31%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXFLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.83%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.05% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 107
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 333
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 578
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,279
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.38%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.21%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.83% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.20% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 380
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 658
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,451
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2035, the Fund seeks income and
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 36% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 36.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2035 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2035, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 60-90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 10-40% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund I series are generally expected to pursue a more conservative allocation strategy relative to the Fund II or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
6.7%
International Large Growth
3.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
12.1%
Diversified Emerging Markets
4.8%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
5.4%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
19.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
3.4%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
4.9%
Mid Blend
5.2%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
1.8%
Global Bond
4.5%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
2.4%
Inflation-Protected Bond
2.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
3.8%
Real Estate
4.3%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.3%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.5%
International Large Value
4.1%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
7.5%
Short-Term Income/Cash
1.4%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.
 
Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with
large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
10.52%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-13.52%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2035 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.70%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.22%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXGLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.82%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.94% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 96
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 522
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,158
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.80%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.02%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.73%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 16.73%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 10.52%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (13.52%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.73%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 14.60%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXHLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.82%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.04% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 106
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 332
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 575
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,274
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 14.49%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.82% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.19% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 379
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 656
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,446
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2035, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 14% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 14.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2035 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2035, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 70-95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 5-30% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund II series are generally expected to pursue a more moderate allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
8.2%
International Large Growth
4.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
15.1%
Diversified Emerging Markets
5.9%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
6.7%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
10.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
4.2%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
2.6%
Mid Blend
6.4%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.2%
Global Bond
2.4%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.0%
Inflation-Protected Bond
1.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
4.6%
Real Estate
4.4%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.6%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.8%
International Large Value
5.1%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
9.3%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.8%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.47%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-15.56%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.03%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.25% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.03%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.70% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXILX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.97% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 99
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 309
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 537
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,191
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.60%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (3.17%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.83%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 20.74%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.47%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (15.56%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.74%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.88% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXJLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.07% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 109
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 341
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 591
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,307
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.67%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.77% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLRX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.22% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 124
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 388
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 671
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,479
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.21% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2035, the Fund seeks income and
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
secondarily, capital growth
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 22% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 22.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2035 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2035, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 80-98% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 2-20% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund III series are generally expected to pursue a more aggressive allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund II series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
9.2%
International Large Growth
4.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
16.6%
Diversified Emerging Markets
6.5%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
7.5%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
5.0%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
4.6%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
1.2%
Mid Blend
7.1%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.5%
Global Bond
1.1%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.4%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.5%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
5.2%
Real Estate
4.5%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.8%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
2.1%
International Large Value
5.7%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
10.4%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.4%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to an Underlying Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
12.01%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-16.65%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2035 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 25.05%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.14%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXKLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.99% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 101
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 315
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 547
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,212
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.14%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (3.79%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.51%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.24%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.01%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.65%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.24%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.81%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.09% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 111
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 346
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 600
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,328
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.68%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.24% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 126
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 393
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 681
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,499
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2045, the Fund seeks income and
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 33% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 33.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2045 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2045, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 65-90% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 10-35% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund I series are generally expected to pursue a more conservative allocation strategy relative to the Fund II or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
7.6%
International Large Growth
4.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
13.9%
Diversified Emerging Markets
7.2%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
6.2%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
12.0%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
3.9%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
3.0%
Mid Blend
5.9%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.1%
Global Bond
3.0%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.2%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
4.9%
Real Estate
4.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.7%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.5%
International Large Value
5.5%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
9.9%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.22%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-15.21%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2045 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.57%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.47%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.98% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 100
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 311
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 539
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,196
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.37%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (3.21%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.71%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 20.13%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.22%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (15.21%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.13%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.67%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXNLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.08% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 110
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 342
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 593
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,312
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.97%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.54%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.23% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 125
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 389
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 673
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,484
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2045, the Fund seeks income and
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 12% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 12.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2045 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2045, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 75-95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 5-25% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund II series are generally expected to pursue a more moderate allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
8.5%
International Large Growth
5.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
15.4%
Diversified Emerging Markets
8.0%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
7.0%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
6.0%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
4.3%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
1.5%
Mid Blend
6.6%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.3%
Global Bond
1.5%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.6%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
5.5%
Real Estate
3.9%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.9%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.8%
International Large Value
6.1%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
11.1%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.94%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-16.53%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.07%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.56% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.07%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.79% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXOLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.99% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 101
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 317
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 550
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,218
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.00%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.08%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.41%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 22.53%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.94%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.53%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.53%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.50% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXPLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.09% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 348
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 603
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,334
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.45%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.38% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PXYLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.24% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 127
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 395
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 683
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,505
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.19%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.66% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2045, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 24.00%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2045 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2045, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 85-98% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 2-15% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund III series are generally expected to pursue a more aggressive allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund II series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
8.9%
International Large Growth
5.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
16.2%
Diversified Emerging Markets
8.3%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
7.2%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
3.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
4.5%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
0.9%
Mid Blend
6.9%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.4%
Global Bond
0.9%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.7%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
5.7%
Real Estate
3.8%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
2.0%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
2.1%
International Large Value
6.3%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
11.5%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
12.24%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-17.08%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2045 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.05%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXQLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 319
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 554
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,227
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.22%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.44%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.77%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.62%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.24%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (17.08%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.62%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.88%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXRLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 607
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,343
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.54%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.77%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.88% [4]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 128
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 397
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 688
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,514
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2055, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 46% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 46.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2055 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2055, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 65-95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 5-35% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund I series are generally expected to pursue a more conservative allocation strategy relative to the Fund II or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
7.3%
International Large Growth
4.9%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
13.4%
Diversified Emerging Markets
8.9%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
6.0%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
9.8%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
3.7%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
2.5%
Mid Blend
5.7%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.0%
Global Bond
2.9%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.5%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
5.4%
Real Estate
3.6%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
1.9%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.5%
International Large Value
6.0%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
11.0%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.51%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-15.56%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2055 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.73%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.56%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.99% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 101
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 314
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 545
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,210
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.57%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (3.76%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.88%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 20.36%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.51%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (15.56%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.36%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.70%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXTLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.09% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 111
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 346
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 599
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,325
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.32%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.60%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.87% [7]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.24% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 126
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 392
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 679
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,497
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2055, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 13% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 13.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2055 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2055, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 75-98% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 2-25% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund II series are generally expected to pursue a more moderate allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund III series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
8.0%
International Large Growth
5.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
14.5%
Diversified Emerging Markets
9.7%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
6.5%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
5.2%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
4.0%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
1.3%
Mid Blend
6.2%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.2%
Global Bond
1.5%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
3.8%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
5.9%
Real Estate
3.4%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
2.1%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
1.8%
International Large Value
6.6%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
11.9%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
12.20%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-16.72%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.49%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.43% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.49%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.43% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXULX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 320
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 554
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,229
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.96%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.52%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.58%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 22.41%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.20%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.72%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.41%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.46% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXVLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 113
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 351
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 608
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,344
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.31% [5]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXZLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 128
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 398
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 688
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,515
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.01%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.45% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 07, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation. After 2055, the Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 40.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in (or otherwise begin using the invested funds on), or close to, 2055 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2055, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 85-98% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 2-15% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. The Fund III series are generally expected to pursue a more aggressive allocation strategy relative to the Fund I or Fund II series.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate instruments, short-term investments, and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Value
8.2%
International Large Growth
5.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Invesco International Growth Fund R5
 
Large Blend
15.1%
Diversified Emerging Markets
10.1%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Invesco Developing Markets Fund R5
 
Large Growth
6.7%
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund A
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Intermediate-Term Bond
3.2%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Value
4.2%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
High Yield Bond
0.8%
Mid Blend
6.4%
Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund M
 
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Mid Growth
2.2%
Global Bond
1.0%
Wells Fargo Advantage Common Stock Fund A
 
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund A
 
Small Value
4.0%
Inflation-Protected Bond
0.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund A
 
American Century Inflation Adjusted Bond Fund Inv
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
PIMCO Real Return Fund Adm
 
Small Blend
6.1%
Real Estate
3.2%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Small Growth
2.1%
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund I
 
Janus Triton Fund S
 
T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund Advisor
 
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund A
 
Global Real Estate
2.0%
International Large Value
6.8%
Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund A
 
Harbor International Fund Inv
 
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R5
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund I
 
International Large Blend
12.4%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, real estate, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than stocks of companies located in more developed markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class T shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
12.35%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
-17.22%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Class T shares performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2055 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.87%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.85%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III Class T
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXWLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.01% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 103
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 322
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 559
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,240
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.04%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.80%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.81%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.26%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.35%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (17.22%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III Class T
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.26%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.73%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III Class T1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXXLX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.11% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 113
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 354
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 613
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,355
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III Class T1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.18%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.67%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89% [4]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.26% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 129
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 401
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 693
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,526
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLMX
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks high total investment return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 20% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 20.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in fixed income securities. The Fund will focus on good relative value based on the credit outlook of the issuer, good structural fit within the objectives and constraints of the Fund, and maximum total return potential.

The Fund may invest up to 20% in preferred stock and convertible preferred stock. It may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities; however, securities of Canadian issuers and securities issued by supranational agencies (e.g., the World Bank) are not subject to this 20% limitation. It may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of below investment grade quality (“high yield-high risk” or “junk”) bonds. The Fund may also invest in bank loans.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Bank Loan Risk - Bank loans, which include institutionally-traded floating rate securities, are obligations of companies or other entities that are typically issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, and refinancings. Bank loans often involve borrowers whose financial conditions are troubled or uncertain and companies that are highly leveraged. The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling bank loans. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower.

Convertible Securities Risk - Convertible securities, particularly securities that are convertible into securities of an issuer other than the issuer of the convertible securities, may be illiquid.

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which the Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Fund.

High Yield Securities Risk - Below investment grade ("high yield-high risk" or "junk") bonds have a higher degree of credit risk and may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility in market value than investment grade bonds.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Preferred Stock Risk - Preferred stocks are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

U.S. Government Securities Risk - Yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than yields from many other fixed income securities. U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June, 2009
16.02%
Worst Quarter
December, 2008
(11.90)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch Corporate/Government Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel BofA Merrill Lynch Corporate/Government Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.68%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.47%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.50%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.90%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.90%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 92
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 287
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 498
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,108
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 10.98%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 3.71%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.10%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 8.10%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (21.74%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 38.46%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 12.77%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 4.43%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.03%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 8.04%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 16.02%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (11.90%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.04%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.37%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.26%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.90%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.15%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 117
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 365
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 633
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,398
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLSX
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 27.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies with market capitalizations that fall within the capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index ($3.5 million to $5.3 billion as of December 31, 2013), an index that tracks stocks of the 2000 smallest U.S. companies in the Russell 3000® Index, at the time of purchase.

The Fund seeks to build a core small-cap portfolio of common stocks of solid companies that the portfolio managers believe are under-valued in the market and have favorable prospects for recovery. Stocks may be under-valued due to negative investor sentiment, short-term fundamental problems, or investor misperceptions. The Fund will opportunistically invest in companies that have experienced business problems but which are believed to have favorable prospects for recovery. The Fund will invest the remainder of its available net assets in securities of companies with market capitalizations outside of the Russell 2000® Index market capitalization range.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Investment Style Risk - Returns from small- or mid-capitalization stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Value Stock Risk - The value investing approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security's intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September, 2009
19.1%
Worst Quarter
December, 2008
(24.16)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000® Value Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 38.82%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 20.08%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.07%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000® Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 2000® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.52%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.64%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.61%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.08%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 110
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 343
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 595
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,317
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 22.16%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 6.08%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 18.02%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 3.21%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (32.64%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 27.86%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 23.99%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.03%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.92%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 34.87%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.10%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (24.16%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.87%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 19.41%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.95%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30% [8]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 158
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 490
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 845
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,845
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXIGX
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West MFS International Growth Fund (MFS International Growth Portfolio) Fu
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and related securities, such as preferred stock, convertible securities and depositary receipts, of foreign (including emerging markets) issuers. The Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in issuers in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region; provided that the Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest in at least three different countries. The Fund may invest in companies of any size.

The issuer of a security or other investment is generally deemed to be economically tied to a particular country if: the security or other investment is issued or guaranteed by the government of that country or any of its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; the issuer is organized under the laws of, and maintains a principal office in, that country; the issuer has its principal securities trading market in that country; the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues from goods sold or services performed in that country; the issuer has 50% or more of its assets in that country; the issuer is included in an index which is representative of that country; or the issuer is exposed to the economic fortunes and risks of that country.

The Fund generally focuses on investing its assets in the stocks of companies that the Sub-Adviser believes have above average growth potential and that are also trading at reasonable valuations. The Sub-Adviser uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for the Fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of individual issuers and their potential in light of their financial condition, and market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include analysis of an issuer’s earnings, cash flows, competitive position, and management ability. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate an issuer’s valuation, price and earnings momentum, earnings quality, and other factors may also be considered.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Convertible Securities Risk - Convertible securities, particularly securities that are convertible into securities of an issuer other than the issuer of the convertible securities, may be illiquid.

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Depositary Receipts Risk - Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which the Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Fund.

Growth Stock Risk - Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since they usually reinvest a high proportion of earnings in their own business, they may not pay the dividends usually associated with value stocks that can cushion their decline in a falling market. Also, since investors buy these stocks because of the expected superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments may result in sharp price declines.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from foreign stocks and/or growth stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Preferred Stock Risk - Preferred stocks are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2009
20.65%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(20.22)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund | MSCI EAFE Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.78%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.91%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.20%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 381
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 660
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,455
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 19.57%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 12.37%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 27.69%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 8.86%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (35.49%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 31.91%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.19%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (10.35%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 22.55%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 18.21%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.65%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (20.22%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.21%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.55%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.56%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.45%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 459
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 792
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,735
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West MFS International Value Fund (MFS International Value Portfolio) Fu
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 28% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 28.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest primarily in companies located outside the U.S., including those in emerging markets. The Sub-Adviser may invest a large percentage of the Fund’s assets in issuers in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region. The Sub-Adviser may invest the Fund’s assets in companies of any size.

The Fund generally focuses on investing its assets in the stocks of companies that the Sub-Adviser believes are undervalued compared to their perceived worth (value companies). Value companies tend to have stock prices that are low relative to their earnings, dividends, assets, or other financial measures. The Sub-Adviser uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for the Fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of individual issuers and their potential in light of their financial condition, and market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include analysis of an issuer’s earnings, cash flows, competitive position, and management ability. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate an issuer’s valuation, price and earnings momentum, earnings quality, and other factors may also be considered.

The Fund may, but need not, use derivative contracts, such as futures and options on securities, securities indices or currencies; options on these futures; forward currency contracts; credit default swaps and credit default swap indices; and interest rate or currency swaps. The Fund may use derivatives for any of the following purposes: as a substitute for buying and selling securities; to hedge against the economic impact of adverse changes in the market value of its portfolio securities due to changes in stock market prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates; or to enhance the Fund’s return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Depositary Receipts Risk - Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which the Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from foreign stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Value Stock Risk - The value investing approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security's intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares commenced operations on April 30, 2013.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

On September 1, 2009, the Fund replaced the prior sub-adviser with the current Sub-Adviser. Consequently, the Fund’s total returns shown below for the periods prior to September 1, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the Fund, as it is currently managed.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
26.36%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(30.24)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares commenced operations on April 30, 2013.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | MSCI EAFE Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.78%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.91%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | MSCI EAFE Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI EAFE Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.95%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.99%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.77%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXIVX
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMIX
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.11%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.11%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [9]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.11%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 1.20% and 1.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 606
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,339
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.85%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 16.72%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 35.85%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.26%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (53.75%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 31.67%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 9.21%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.87%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.20%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 27.99%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 26.36%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (30.24%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 27.99%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.18%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.96%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Great-West MFS International Value Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 21.89%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 23.14%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (21.69%) [9]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.45%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 1.20% and 1.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 460
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 794
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,740
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Money Market Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Money Market Fund (Money Market Portfolio) Fu
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
As a money market fund, the Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value (“NAV”) of $1.00 per share. The Fund will invest in short-term securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, including U.S. Treasury obligations, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and securities of agencies of the U.S. Government including, but not limited to, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Bank that carry no government guarantees.

The Fund will invest in securities that are only denominated in U.S. Dollars and in securities with a weighted average maturity of less than 60 days and a dollar-weighted average life to maturity of no more than 120 days.

The Fund will invest in high-quality, short-term fixed income securities. These securities will have a rating in one of the two highest rating categories for short-term fixed income obligations by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization such as Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Corporation (or unrated securities of comparable quality).
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Other Risks - When the Fund is extensively invested in securities with high credit quality such as instruments issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies, its yield may be lower than the yield would be if the Fund were more extensively invested in other types of money market instruments.

Possible Loss of Money - An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible your shares could be worth less than $1.00 per share when you sell them.

Stable NAV Risk - The Fund may not be able to maintain an NAV per share of $1.00 at all times. Shareholders of the Fund should not rely on or expect GWCM or an affiliate to purchase distressed assets from the Fund, make capital infusions into the Fund, enter into capital support agreements with the Fund, or take other actions to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price.

U.S. Government Securities Risk - Yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than yields from many other fixed income securities. U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

U.S. Government Sponsored Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Money Market Fund [Text] rr_RiskMoneyMarketFund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible your shares could be worth less than $1.00 per share when you sell them.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance for the last ten calendar years. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance for the last ten calendar years.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2007
1.22%
Worst Quarter
December 2013
—%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock
Yield
Yield and effective yield will fluctuate and may not provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits, other mutual funds or other investments which are insured or pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Yields are based on past results and are not an indication of future performance. The yield figures include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any variable insurance product. If those charges were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

As of December 31, 2013, the Fund’s 7-day yield and its effective yield were:

7-Day Yield
Effective Yield
0.05%
0.00%
Money Market Seven Day Yield, Caption [Text] rr_MoneyMarketSevenDayYieldCaption Yield and effective yield will fluctuate and may not provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits, other mutual funds or other investments which are insured or pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Yields are based on past results and are not an indication of future performance. The yield figures include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any variable insurance product. If those charges were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.As of December 31, 2013, the Fund’s 7-day yield and its effective yield were:7-Day YieldEffective Yield0.05%0.00%
Money Market Seven Day Yield rr_MoneyMarketSevenDayYield 0.05%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Money Market Fund | Great-West Money Market Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMXX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.46%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.46%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 47
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 579
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 0.94%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 2.72%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 4.54%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 4.73%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 1.94%
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 0.01%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 0.00%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.00%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 0.00%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 0.00%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2007
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 1.22%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2013
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn 0.00%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 none
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.47%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 230% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 230.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities selected for their growth potential with market capitalizations of $4 billion or more at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may include investments in emerging markets, without limit within the parameters of the Fund’s specific investment policies. The Fund may also hold cash or other short-term investments. Derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. To the extent the Fund uses derivatives, the Fund will primarily use futures contracts to more effectively gain targeted equity exposure from its cash positions.

The Fund’s investment portfolio is managed by two sub-advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser,” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), and GWCM maintains a strategic asset allocation of the Fund’s assets with each Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Advisers seek to invest in securities of issuers with above average potential for growth.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Growth Stock Risk - Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since they usually reinvest a high proportion of earnings in their own business, they may not pay the dividends usually associated with value stocks that can cushion their decline in a falling market. Also, since investors buy these stocks because of the expected superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments may result in sharp price declines.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from large-capitalization and/or growth stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Multi-Manager Risk - Each Sub-Adviser makes investment decisions independently. It is possible that the security selection process of the Sub-Advisers may not complement one another and the Fund may have buy and sell transactions in the same security on the same day. The Sub-Advisers selected may underperform the market generally or other sub-advisers that could have been selected.

Portfolio Turnover Risk - High portfolio turnover rates generally result in higher transaction costs (which are borne directly by the Fund and indirectly by shareholders).

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

On September 1, 2013, the Fund replaced the prior sub-adviser with the current Sub-Advisers. Consequently, the Fund’s total returns shown below for the periods prior to September 1, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the Fund, as it is currently managed.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
20.21%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(26.05)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | Russell 1000 Growth Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.48%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 20.39%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.83%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | S&P 500 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.39%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.41%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLGX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00% [10]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.00% [11]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 318
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,225
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.57%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 19.15%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 2.38%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 31.02%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (45.11%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 46.98%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 8.65%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (9.43%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 20.00%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 28.93%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.21%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (26.05%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 28.93%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.48%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.82%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00% [10]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [11]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 127
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 397
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 686
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,511
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital preservation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize fixed income investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 39% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 39.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on income and a secondary emphasis on growth of capital. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
0-15%
Small Cap
0-15%
Mid Cap
0-15%
Large Cap
5-25%
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
30-50%
Short-Term Bond
25-45%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
11.0%
International
6.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
5.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
5.3%
Bond
40.9%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
2.3%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
29.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 
 
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
10.44%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(7)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.16%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.02%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXVPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.73%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.98% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 100
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 311
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 540
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,197
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 6.92%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.20%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 7.78%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 5.56%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (13.77%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 20.39%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 8.73%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.06%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 9.02%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 7.55%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 10.44%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (7.00%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.55%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.18%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.42%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.73% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.23% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 125
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 389
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 674
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,485
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks income and capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize fixed income investments and, to a lesser degree, in Underlying Funds that emphasize equity investments.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 33% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 33.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on income and a secondary emphasis on growth of capital. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
0-30%
Small Cap
0-15%
Mid Cap
0-25%
Large Cap
10-40%
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
20-40%
Short-Term Bond
10-30%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
17.8%
International
10.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
4.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
8.5%
Bond
33.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
3.7%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
22.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.
  
Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.
 
Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
12.15%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(9.19)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.21%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.13%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.84%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXTPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.03% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 105
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 329
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 571
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,264
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 9.66%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 5.94%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 9.90%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.41%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (18.11%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 22.09%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.04%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (0.07%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 10.59%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 11.83%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.15%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (9.19%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.83%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.67%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.33%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.78% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.28% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 131
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 407
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 704
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,550
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds with a relatively equal emphasis on equity and fixed income investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 31% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 31.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has an emphasis on both growth of capital and income. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
0-30%
Small Cap
0-25%
Mid Cap
0-30%
Large Cap
15-45%
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
10-30%
Short-Term Bond
5-25%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
24.6%
International
14.6%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
4.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
11.8%
Bond
24.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
5.0%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
16.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Portfolios with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.
 
Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
14.12%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(11.92)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.93%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.28%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXOPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.11% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 113
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 353
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 611
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,351
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 11.34%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 6.29%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.98%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.13%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (23.29%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 24.43%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.54%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.26%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 12.25%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 16.16%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 14.12%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (11.92%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.16%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.31%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.88%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.36% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 138
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 430
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 744
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,634
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize equity investments and, to a lesser degree, in Underlying Funds that emphasize fixed income investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 29% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 29.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on growth of capital and a secondary emphasis on income. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
5-35%
Small Cap
0-25%
Mid Cap
5-35%
Large Cap
20-50%
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
5-25%
Short-Term Bond
0-15%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
30.5%
International
18.1%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
3.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
14.6%
Bond
18.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
6.3%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
9.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.
 
Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
17.04%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(16.65)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.16%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.63%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.94%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXRPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.20% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 381
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 659
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,454
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 13.38%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 7.65%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 13.79%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.25%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (30.24%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 28.58%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.16%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.17%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.89%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 20.41%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 17.04%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.65%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.41%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.31%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.33%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [7]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.45% [3]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 459
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 792
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,735
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize equity investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its fund). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 27.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on growth of capital and a secondary emphasis on income. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
10-40%
Small Cap
5-35%
Mid Cap
15-45%
Large Cap
30-50%
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
0-10%
Short-Term Bond
0-10%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
42.7%
International
25.2%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
3.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
20.4%
Bond
0.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
8.7%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
0.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 
 
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); and the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 30, 2009
20.56%
Worst Quarter
December 31, 2008
(24.09)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.16%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.63%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.94%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXPPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.33% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 135
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 422
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 729
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,602
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 16.89%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 8.78%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 15.54%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.12%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (40.04%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 33.01%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.55%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.41%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.45%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 28.85%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.56%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (24.09%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 28.85%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.13%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.60%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.08% [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.58% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 161
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 499
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 861
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,879
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund (
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital preservation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize fixed income investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 36% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 36.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on income and a secondary emphasis on growth of capital. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
0-15%
Small Cap
0-15%
Mid Cap
0-15%
Large Cap
5-25%
 
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
30-50%
Short-Term Bond
25-45%
  
Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
11.0%
International
6.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
5.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
5.3%
Bond
40.9%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
2.3%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
29.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 
 
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
10.5%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
-6.97%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXCPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.73%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.83%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 84
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 264
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 459
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,021
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 7.10%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.32%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 8.00%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 5.69%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (13.67%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 20.51%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 9.02%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.29%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 9.10%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 7.68%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 10.50%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (6.97%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.68%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.35%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.58%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.16%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.02%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXIPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.73%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 110
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 342
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 594
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,313
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.43%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.94% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.49% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.97% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Class L | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.84% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks income and capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize fixed income investments and, to a lesser degree, in Underlying Funds that emphasize equity investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 30.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on income and a secondary emphasis on growth of capital. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
0-30%
Small Cap
0-15%
Mid Cap
0-25%
Large Cap
10-40%
 
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
20-40%
Short-Term Bond
10-30%
  
Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
17.8%
International
10.5%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
4.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
8.5%
Bond
33.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
3.7%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
22.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
12.07%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
-9.41%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXDPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 90
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 280
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 487
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,083
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 9.90%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 6.05%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 10.04%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.60%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (18.16%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 22.30%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.31%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (0.02%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 10.83%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 12.03%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.07%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (9.41%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.03%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.87%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.48%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Initial Class | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.21%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.13%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.84%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXHPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.13%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 115
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 359
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 622
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,374
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.62%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.83% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.49% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.97% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Class L | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.21%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.89% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds with a relatively equal emphasis on equity and fixed income investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has an emphasis on both growth of capital and income. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
0-30%
Small Cap
0-25%
Mid Cap
0-30%
Large Cap
15-45%
 
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
10-30%
Short-Term Bond
5-25%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
24.6%
International
14.6%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
4.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
11.8%
Bond
24.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
5.0%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
16.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Portfolios with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.
 
Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
14.21%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
-11.88%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.96% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 305
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 530
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,177
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 11.55%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 6.38%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 12.20%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.22%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (23.14%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 24.67%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.57%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.05%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 12.47%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 16.29%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 14.21%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (11.88%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.29%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.47%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.04%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Initial Class | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Initial Class | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Initial Class | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.93%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.28%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXGPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.21% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 123
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 384
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 664
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,465
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.03%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.71%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.49%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.97%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Class L | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.93%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.85%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize equity investments and, to a lesser degree, in Underlying Funds that emphasize fixed income investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 21.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on growth of capital and a secondary emphasis on income. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
5-35%
Small Cap
0-25%
Mid Cap
5-35%
Large Cap
20-50%
 
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
5-25%
Short-Term Bond
0-15%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
30.5%
International
18.1%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
3.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
14.6%
Bond
18.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
6.3%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
9.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Underlying Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates). Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy, and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies and their issuers are less likely to make payments of interest and repay principal.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.
 
Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Underlying Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Underlying Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Underlying Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (bonds); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short-term bonds). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
17.16%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
-16.71%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXBPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.05% [1]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 107
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 334
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 580
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,283
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 13.51%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 7.83%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 13.97%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.44%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (30.25%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 28.93%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.35%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.10%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.07%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 20.44%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 17.16%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.71%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.44%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.47%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.47%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.55%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.16%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.63%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.94%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXFPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.30% [1]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 132
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 412
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 713
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,568
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.17%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.54% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.49% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.97% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.16%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.64% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund(
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in Underlying Funds that emphasize equity investments.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a mix of Underlying Funds. The Fund has a primary emphasis on growth of capital and a secondary emphasis on income. GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The following table shows the Fund’s asset allocation ranges:

EQUITY
International
10-40%
Small Cap
5-35%
Mid Cap
15-45%
Large Cap
30-50%
 
Real Estate
0-10%
FIXED INCOME
Bond
0-10%
Short-Term Bond
0-10%

Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), real estate instruments, U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes listed above and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Cap
42.7%
International
25.2%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Real Estate
3.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial
 
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial
 
Mid Cap
20.4%
Bond
0.0%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial
 
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Initial
 
Small Cap
8.7%
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial
 
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Initial
 
Short-Term Bond
0.0%
 
 
GWL&A Contract
 
 
 
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Investment Style Risk - Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds with both growth and value characteristics, its share price may be negatively affected if either investing approach falls out of favor.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) / Real Estate Risk - Investments in real estate related instruments may be affected by economic, legal, cultural, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the Wilshire 5000 Index (U.S. equities); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international equities); and the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (real estate). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns he bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the past ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
20.52%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
-24.00%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXAPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.18% [1]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 120
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 375
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 650
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,433
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 17.13%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 8.97%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 15.59%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 7.35%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (39.90%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 33.02%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.95%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.44%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.64%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 29.07%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.52%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (24.00%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 29.07%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.28%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.76%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.97%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Initial Class | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 29.33%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.79%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.75%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXEPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.43% [1]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 146
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 453
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 782
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,715
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 28.75%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 14.78% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.97% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 29.33%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 none
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.10% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks capital growth and current income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 39% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 39.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities. The Fund invests mainly in common stocks of midsize and large U.S. companies, with a focus on value stocks that offer the potential for capital growth, current income, or both. Value stocks are those that the portfolio managers believe are currently undervalued by the market. If the portfolio managers are correct and other investors recognize the value of the company, the price of its stock may rise. The Fund invests mainly in midsize and large companies, which are of a size similar to those in the Russell 1000 Value Index (which was composed of companies having a market capitalization of between $1.1 billion and $504.9 billion as of December 31, 2013). The portfolio managers may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments.

The Fund may also invest in common stocks of small size U.S. companies, convertible securities, as well as companies from outside the U.S.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Convertible Securities Risk - Convertible securities, particularly securities that are convertible into securities of an issuer other than the issuer of the convertible securities, may be illiquid.

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from large-capitalization stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Preferred Stock Risk - Preferred stocks are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Value Stock Risk - The value approach carries the risk that he market will not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately valued.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2012
12.14%
Worst Quarter
June 2012
(5.34)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund | Russell 1000 Value Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.53%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.35%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 16, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXQIX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 606
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,340
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 18.88%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 31.64%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.14%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (5.34%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 31.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.40%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 16, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 137
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 428
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 739
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,624
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks to obtain high current income with capital appreciation as a secondary objective when consistent with the primary objective.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 56% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 56.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest a minimum of 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in high yield-high risk (i.e., “junk” or rated below investment grade) corporate fixed income securities (fixed or floating rate securities), which may include zero-coupon bonds, convertible securities, preferred stock, bank loans (term and revolving loans), pay-in-kind bonds as well as “toggle bonds” (issuer’s option to pay in kind) and Rule 144A fixed income securities that are subject to resale restrictions. Up to 20% of the total assets of the Fund may be invested in non-corporate fixed income securities and equity securities, including convertible preferred stock, common stock, and warrants.

High yield bonds are fixed income securities that are rated below investment grade (for example, rated below BBB by Standard & Poor's or below Baa by Moody's Investors Service) or have an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  Fixed income securities that are not rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization may also be high yield bonds. No more than 35% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities rated below B3/B- by all nationally recognized rating agencies (currently Moody’s Investor Services, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings) who rate such securities, or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser.

The Fund may invest in foreign securities, make forward commitments and may lend portfolio securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities not denominated in U.S. Dollars. The Fund may, but need not, use derivative contracts, such as futures and options on securities, securities indices or currencies; options on these futures; forward currency contracts; credit default swaps and credit default swap indices; and interest rate or currency swaps. Investments in derivatives may be applied toward meeting a requirement to invest in a particular kind of investment if the derivatives have economic characteristics similar to that investment.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments, which may be considered speculative and which may be difficult to sell. The sale of many of these investments is limited by law.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Bank Loan Risk - Bank loans, which include institutionally-traded floating rate securities, are obligations of companies or other entities that are typically issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, and refinancings. Bank loans often involve borrowers whose financial conditions are troubled or uncertain and companies that are highly leveraged. The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling bank loans. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower.

Convertible Securities Risk - Convertible securities, particularly securities that are convertible into securities of an issuer other than the issuer of the convertible securities, may be illiquid.

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.
 
Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

High Yield Securities Risk - Below investment grade ("high yield-high risk" or "junk") bonds have a higher degree of credit risk and may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility in market value than investment grade bonds.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities and bank loans in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Preferred Stock Risk - Preferred stocks are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

On August 3, 2009, the Fund replaced the prior sub-adviser with the current Sub-Adviser. Consequently, the Fund’s total returns shown below for the periods prior to August 3, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the performance of the Fund, as it is currently managed.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
23.67%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(22.98)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund | J.P. Morgan High Yield Developed Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel J.P. Morgan High Yield Developed Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.42%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 19.51%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.85%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXHYX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 606
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,340
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 9.36%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 2.61%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 10.12%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 0.19%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (32.37%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 51.21%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.08%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 2.24%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.00%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 7.65%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 23.67%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (22.98%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.84%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.19%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 137
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 428
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 739
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,624
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Real Estate Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results, before fees and expenses, that track the total return of a benchmark index that measures the performance of publicly traded equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 83% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 83.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities included in the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (the “Benchmark Index”). The Benchmark Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of publicly traded equity REITs.

The portfolio managers may also use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures contracts, swaps, and exchange traded funds, for cash management purposes.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Industry Concentration Risk - Changes in real estate values or economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the real estate industry. Because the Fund concentrates its assets in REIT stocks, industry concentration risk is high.

Interest Rate Risk - REIT stock prices overall may decline because of rising interest rates. Interest rate risk is high for the Fund. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on REIT stock prices and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from REIT stocks - which typically are small- or mid-capitalization stocks - may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Non-Diversification Risk - The Fund is classified as non-diversified, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of issuers.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2013
6.83%
Worst Quarter
September 2013
-3.34%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund | Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.22%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.67%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 27, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXREX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 224
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 390
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 871
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 0.58%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 6.83%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2013
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (3.34%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.58%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.42%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 27, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 303
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 525
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,166
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500® Index (the “Benchmark Index”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 4.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks included in its Benchmark Index. The Fund will seek investment results that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Benchmark Index by owning the securities contained in the Benchmark Index in as close as possible a proportion of the Fund as each stock’s weight in the Benchmark Index. This may be accomplished through ownership of all the stocks in the Benchmark Index and/or through a combination of stock ownership and owning futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts, and exchange-traded funds that seek to track the Benchmark Index.

The Benchmark Index is the S&P 500® Index. The S&P 500® Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of the 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. It is widely regarded as the best single gauge of the large cap U.S. equities market.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Investment Style Risk - There is a possibility that returns from large-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
15.88%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(22.09)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXVIX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 61
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 335
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 750
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 10.24%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.27%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 15.21%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 4.83%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (37.50%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 25.86%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.37%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.50%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.42%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 31.62%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 15.88%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (22.09%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 31.62%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.29%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.77%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund Initial Class | S&P 500 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.39%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.41%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXVJX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 471
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,049
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 31.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.69% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund Class L | S&P 500 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.39%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.17% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results, before fees and expenses, that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) MidCap 400® Index (the “Benchmark Index”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 13% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 13.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks included in the Benchmark Index. The Fund will seek investment results, before fees and expenses, that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Benchmark Index by owning the securities contained in the Benchmark Index in as close as possible a proportion of the Fund as each stock’s weight in the Benchmark Index. This may be accomplished through ownership of all the stocks in the Benchmark Index and/or through a combination of stock ownership and owning futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts, and exchange-traded funds that seek to track the Benchmark Index.

The Benchmark Index is the S&P MidCap 400® Index. The S&P MidCap 400® Index is comprised of 400 stocks representing companies in the middle tier of U.S. stock market capitalization.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from mid-capitalization stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Over-the-Counter Risk - Over-the-Counter (OTC) listed companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Many OTC stocks may be less liquid and more volatile than exchange-listed stocks.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2013
13.31%
Worst Quarter
June 2012
(5.05)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.20%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 20, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMDX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 61
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 335
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 750
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.12%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 32.71%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 13.31%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (5.05%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.71%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 14.81%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 20, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 471
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,049
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) SmallCap 600® Index (the “Benchmark Index”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 17% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 17.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks of its Benchmark Index. The Fund will seek investment results that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Benchmark Index by owning the securities contained in the Benchmark Index in as close as possible a proportion of the Fund as each stock’s weight in the Benchmark Index. This may be accomplished through ownership of all the stocks in the Benchmark Index and/or through a combination of stock ownership and owning futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts, and exchange-traded funds that seek to track the Benchmark Index.

The Benchmark Index is the S&P SmallCap 600® Index. The S&P SmallCap 600® Index is designed to monitor the performance of publicly traded common stocks of the small company sector of the U.S. equities market.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from small-capitalization stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Over-the-Counter Risk - Over-the-Counter (OTC) listed companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Many OTC stocks may be less liquid and more volatile than exchange-listed stocks.

Small Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.

Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
20.70%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(25.20)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXISX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 61
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 335
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 750
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 21.78%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 7.06%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 14.57%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (0.82%)
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (31.35%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 24.95%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 25.70%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.36%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.78%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 40.59%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.70%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (25.20%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 40.59%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 20.75%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.07%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund Initial Class | S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 41.31%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.37%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.65%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXNSX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 471
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,049
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 40.25%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 27.08% [12]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 12, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund Class L | S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 41.31%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 28.11% [12]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 12, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Balanced ETF Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (the “Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in a separate prospectus describing the Guarantee. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher. You may qualify for a sales charge waiver. Information about the waiver is available from your financial professional and in the “Class A Shares Purchase Programs” section of this Prospectus.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 132.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying ETFs. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying ETFs designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying ETF has its own investment objective and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying ETFs in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
27.0%
International Large Blend
12.0%
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
 
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
 
Mid Blend
11.0%
Diversified Emerging Markets
3.0%
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF
 
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
 
Small Blend
9.0%
Intermediate-Term Bond
38.0%
Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF
 
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
 

The Fund will rebalance its holdings of the Underlying ETFs on a periodic basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying ETF allocations, and the Underlying ETFs themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying ETFs, or change the target allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

In addition to investing in Underlying ETFs, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets directly in derivatives, such as futures, for cash management purposes and to gain exposure to securities in the underlying index pending investment in Underlying ETFs. The Fund also may hold a portion of its assets in U.S. government securities, money market funds, and cash or cash equivalents for cash management purposes.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - Because ETF shares are traded on an exchange, they are subject to additional risks:

•
ETF shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of an ETF share typically will approximate its net asset value (NAV), there may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. Thus, the Fund may pay more or less than NAV when it buys ETF shares on the secondary market, and the Funds may receive more or less than NAV when it sells those shares.

•
Although ETF shares are listed for trading, it is possible that an active trading market may not develop or be maintained.

•
Trading of ETF shares may be halted by the activation of individual or marketwide “circuit breakers” (which halt trading for a specified period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market process decline by a specified percentage). Trading of ETF shares may also be halted if (1) the shares are delisted from an exchange without first being listed on another exchange or (2) exchange officials deems such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or to protect investors.

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying ETFs, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying ETFs apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying ETF than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying ETF.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying ETFs, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly your proportionate share of expenses of the Underlying ETFs.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying ETFs. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Portfolio Turnover Risk - High portfolio turnover rates generally result in higher transaction costs (which are borne directly by the Fund and indirectly by shareholders) and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.

The following are risks associated with Fund and Underlying ETF investments that may directly or indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying ETF will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying ETF to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund or an Underlying ETF may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund or the Underlying ETF’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying ETFs will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying ETF invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying ETF.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying ETFs may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying ETF will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying ETF may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds or ETFs designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying ETFs is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who purchase shares of the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Any payments under the Guarantee depend on GWL&A’s long-term ability to make such payments. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying ETFs. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying ETFs is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses. Returns shown in the bar chart do not reflect the impact of sales charges. If those charges were reflected, the performance shown would be lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.securefoundationsmartfuture.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares in each full calendar year since inception and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.securefoundationsmartfuture.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns for Class A Shares Before Sales Charges
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses. Returns shown in the bar chart do not reflect the impact of sales charges. If those charges were reflected, the performance shown would be lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2013
5.30%
Worst Quarter
June 2013
-0.18%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.13%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 23, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 22.03%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 23, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.99%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.16%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 23, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol SFBPX
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.00%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends and Distributions (as a percentage) rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.16%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.05%
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.57%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.62%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.09%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.12% [13]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.50%) [14]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.62%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 560
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 689
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 828
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,235
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 15.52%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.30%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2013
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (0.18%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class A before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.74%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.59%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 23, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund Class A | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class A after taxes on distributions1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.27% [15]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.30% [15]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 23, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class A after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.57% [15]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.03% [15]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 23, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Balanced Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in a separate prospectus or disclosure statement describing the Guarantee, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
26.0%
Diversified Emerging Markets
3.0%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
 
Mid Blend
11.0%
Intermediate-Term Bond
35.0%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
9.00%
Short-Term Income/Cash
5.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
11.0%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change the target allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly your proportionate share of expenses of the Underlying Funds.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in a Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A or GWL&A of NY may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A or GWL&A of NY determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Any payments under the Guarantee depend on GWL&A’s or GWL&A of NY’s long-term ability to make such payments. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
8.45%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(9.75)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.82% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.64% [16],[17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.88%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.67% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.88%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSBX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.65% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 67
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 209
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 364
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 814
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.02%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.96%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.77%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 16.09%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 8.45%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (9.75%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.68% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSHX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.75% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 77
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 241
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 419
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 934
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.93%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.57% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLDX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.90% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 92
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 288
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 500
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,111
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.80%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.99%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 31% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 31.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2015 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
23.9%
Diversified Emerging Markets
2.2%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
10.3%
Intermediate-Term Bond
38.9%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
6.1%
Short-Term Income/Cash
5.1%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
13.5%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.
  
Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
8.16%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(9.29)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.82% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.64% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | 2015 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2015 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.30%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.97% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | 2015 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2015 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.30%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.20% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSJX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.54%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.66% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 67
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 210
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 366
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 819
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.03%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.60%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.19%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 14.50%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 8.16%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (9.29%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.80% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSKX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.54%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.76% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 77
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 242
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 421
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 938
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.37%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.69% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLEX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.54%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.91% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 93
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 289
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 502
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,116
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.21%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.10% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 18% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 18.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2020 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s expected target allocation for the various asset classes at its inception, and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest at its inception:

Large Blend
23.9%
Diversified Emerging Markets
2.2%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
10.3%
Intermediate-Term Bond
38.9%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
6.1%
Short-Term Income/Cash
5.1%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
13.5%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, add or delete Underlying Funds, or change asset allocations at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Closing [Text Block] rr_RiskClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2012
7.14%
Worst Quarter
June 2012
(1.82)%
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2020 Composite Index. The 2020 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2020 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | 2020 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2020 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.30%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.20%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSMX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.53%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.65% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 67
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 209
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 364
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 815
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.34%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 14.42%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 7.14%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (1.82%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.42%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.43%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.53%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.75% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 77
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 241
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 419
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 934
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.33%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.36%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLFX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.53%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.90% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 92
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 288
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 500
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,112
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.16%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.24%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 33% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 33.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2025 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2025, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 55-75% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 25-45% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2015, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2015, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Fund”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
25.4%
Diversified Emerging Markets
2.5%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
10.9%
Intermediate-Term Bond
35.6%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
6.7%
Short-Term Income/Cash
4.2%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
14.7%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified Fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small size and medium companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2025 Composite Index. The 2025 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2025 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
9.35%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(11.62)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSNX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.67% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 68
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 214
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 372
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 832
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.31%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (0.96%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 12.11%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 16.28%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 9.35%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (11.62%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.28%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.16% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSOX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.77% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 78
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 245
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 427
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 952
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.07% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G1 | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.82% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G1 | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.64% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G1 | 2025 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2025 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.08%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.42% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLHX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.92% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 94
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 293
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 508
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,129
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.97%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.31% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund Class L | 2025 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2025 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.08%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.42% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2030 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 18% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 18.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2030 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2030, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 65-85% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 15-35% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2020, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2020, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Fund”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s expected target allocation for the various asset classes at its inception, and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest at its inception:

Large Blend
29.3%
Diversified Emerging Markets
3.7%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
12.6%
Intermediate-Term Bond
25.6%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
8.4%
Short-Term Income/Cash
2.2%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
18.2%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2030 Composite Index. The 2030 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2030 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2012
9.25%
Worst Quarter
June 2012
(3.14)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | 2030 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2030 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.57%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.46%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSQX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.57%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.69% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 70
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 221
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 384
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 858
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.50%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 19.61%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 9.25%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (3.14%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2030 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.61%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.60%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXASX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.57%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.79% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 81
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 439
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 978
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2030 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.48%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.52%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLIX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.57%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.94% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 96
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 299
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 520
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,154
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2030 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.39%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.53%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2035 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 31% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 31.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2035 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2035, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 70-95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 5-30% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2025, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2025, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
32.2%
Diversified Emerging Markets
5.1%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
13.9%
Intermediate-Term Bond
16.5%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
10.0%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.9%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
21.4%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2035 Composite Index. The 2035 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2035 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.28%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(15.27)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSRX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.70% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 225
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 392
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 876
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.36%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (3.10%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.61%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 22.30%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.28%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (15.27%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.30%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.84% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSSX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.80% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 82
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 257
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 446
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 995
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.21%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.78% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G1 | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.82% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G1 | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.64% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G1 | 2035 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2035 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.34%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.22% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLJX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 304
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 528
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,171
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2035 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 21.87%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.19% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund Class L | 2035 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2035 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.34%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.28% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 19.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example by Year [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2040 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2040, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 70-95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 5-30% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2030, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2030, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Fund”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s expected target allocation for the various asset classes at its inception, and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest at its inception:

Large Blend
33.6%
Diversified Emerging Markets
6.4%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
14.3%
Intermediate-Term Bond
10.9%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
11.1%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.2%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
23.5%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.
   
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

Single Issuer Risk - The GWL&A Contract in which the Fund invests has a stable principal value and pays a fixed rate of interest to the Fund. Both the principal and a minimum rate of interest are guaranteed by GWL&A. However, if GWL&A becomes unable to meet this guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2040 Composite Index. The 2040 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2040 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2012
10.91%
Worst Quarter
June 2012
(4.18)%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | 2040 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2040 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.72%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.67%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXDSX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.71% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 227
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 395
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 882
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.28%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.58%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 10.91%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (4.18%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.58%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.77%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXESX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 83
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 259
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 449
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,001
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.49%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.68%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLKX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.96% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 306
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 531
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,178
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.55%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.77%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 26.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2045 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2045, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 75-95% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 5-25% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2035, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2035, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
33.0%
Diversified Emerging Markets
7.6%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
14.1%
Intermediate-Term Bond
9.0%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
11.8%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
24.5%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.
 
Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2045 Composite Index. The 2045 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2045 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.79%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(16.46)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSTX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.71% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 227
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 394
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 881
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.41%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (3.96%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.59%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.82%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.79%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.46%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.82%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.19% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSWX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 83
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 449
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,000
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.68%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.10% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G1 | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.82% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G1 | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.64% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G1 | 2045 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2045 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.88%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.59% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLNX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.96% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 305
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 530
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,176
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.81%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.78% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class L | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class L | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund Class L | 2045 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2045 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.88%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.66% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 12% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 12.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the expenses of the Guarantee Benefit Fee or any fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses reflected in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2050 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2050, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 75-98% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 2-25% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2040, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2040, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Fund”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s expected target allocation for the various asset classes at its inception, and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest at its inception:

Large Blend
31.9%
Diversified Emerging Markets
8.8%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
13.7%
Intermediate-Term Bond
8.3%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
12.2%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
25.1%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2050 Composite Index. The 2050 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2050 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2012
11.16%
Worst Quarter
June 2012
(4.48)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | 2050 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2050 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.49%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXFSX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.71% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 226
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 394
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 879
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.67%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.49%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.16%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2012
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (4.48%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.49%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.60%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXHSX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 82
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 448
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 999
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.46%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.53%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLOX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.96% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 305
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 529
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,175
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.59%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.61%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not describe the fee for the Guarantee (“Guarantee Benefit Fee”), which is described in the Guarantee prospectus or disclosure statement, or the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Since the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and indirectly, your proportionate share of the expenses (including operating costs and management fees) of the Underlying Funds.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 20% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 20.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of Underlying Funds that is tailored for investors planning to retire in, or close to, 2055 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its proximity to 2055, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and/or preservation of capital. The Fund is currently expected (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 75-98% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 2-25% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in the GWL&A Contract. Over time until 2045, the Fund’s asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. Beginning in 2045, it is anticipated that the asset allocation between equity and fixed income investments will become relatively static, and that the Fund will invest 50-70% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 30-50% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities.

GWCM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate assets among asset classes and the Underlying Funds. The Fund currently invests primarily in Underlying Funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities index (“Index Funds”). Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equities (including those from emerging markets), fixed income securities, derivatives, and short-term investments. The following table shows the Fund’s target allocation for the various asset classes and the Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

Large Blend
30.8%
Diversified Emerging Markets
10.0%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Initial
 
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
 
Mid Blend
13.2%
Intermediate-Term Bond
8.0%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Initial
 
Great-West Bond Index Fund Initial
 
Small Blend
12.5%
Short-Term Income/Cash
0.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Initial
 
GWL&A Contract
 
International Large Blend
25.5%
 
 
Great-West International Index Fund Initial
 
 
 

The Fund will automatically rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a monthly basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocation. GWCM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds themselves on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. GWCM may add or delete asset classes, and add or delete Underlying Funds at any time and without shareholder notice or approval.

The following chart illustrates the Fund’s target asset allocation among U.S. equity, foreign equity, and fixed income asset classes as of the date of this Prospectus. The illustration reflects the Fund’s neutral allocations (without any tactical adjustments by GWCM). The Fund’s actual asset allocation may differ from this illustration to reflect GWCM’s tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors. GWCM periodically reviews the asset allocations and may change target asset allocations or deviate from the target asset allocations at any time without shareholder notice or approval.


Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk
•
Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the eligible Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

•
Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly of the Underlying Funds, resulting in an additional layer of expenses.

•
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.

The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Conflict of Interest Risk - GWCM may be subject to conflicts of interest because its affiliate, GWL&A, is the issuer of the Guarantee available with the Fund.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. An Underlying Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Stocks of companies located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the stocks of companies located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Equity Securities Risk - The value of the stocks and other securities owned by the Underlying Funds will fluctuate depending on the performance of the companies that issued them, general market and economic conditions, and investor confidence.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that the Fund’s income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which an Underlying Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Underlying Fund.

Liquidity Risk - Underlying Funds may invest in securities that cannot be sold, or cannot be sold quickly, at an acceptable price. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the normal time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be required to sell liquid securities at an unfavorable time.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, industry sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small, Medium and Large Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions, and could underperform returns of smaller companies.

Tracking a Benchmark Index Risk - Index Funds are mutual funds designed to track the performance of a specified securities benchmark index. The benchmark index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. In addition, an Index Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of its benchmark index.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risks Associated with the Guarantee - The Guarantee provides guaranteed income for the life of a designated person(s) provided all conditions are met. Investors who allocate account value to the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with the Guarantee including, without limitation, the possibility that no benefits may be payable under the Guarantee depending on your pattern of share redemptions, your lifespan, the Fund’s investment performance, and other variables; the Guarantee may be terminated under certain circumstances; GWL&A may increase the Guarantee Benefit Fee; if GWL&A determines that the Fund is ineligible, you would be required to transfer to another eligible fund and you may be subject to higher fees and charges; and there may be tax consequences associated with the Guarantee. Neither Great-West Funds nor the Fund is responsible for any payments under the Guarantee. The Guarantee does not guarantee the investment performance of the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agencyThe Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of Underlying Funds. As a result, the Fund’s securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or regulatory event than that experienced by a similarly structured diversified fund.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2055 Composite Index. The 2055 Composite Index is derived by applying the Fund’s target (neutral) asset allocation among the asset classes over time to the results of the following indexes: the S&P 500® Index (large blend); the S&P MidCap 400® Index (mid blend); the S&P SmallCap 600® Index (small blend); the MSCI EAFE® Index (international large blend); the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (diversified emerging markets); the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (intermediate term bond); and the Barclays 1-3 Yr Credit Bond Index (short term income/cash). See Appendix A for more information regarding the 2055 Composite Index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing the performance of the Fund’s Class G shares in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of broad-based securities market indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2010
11.96%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(16.88)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.82% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.26% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.64% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.90% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | 2055 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2055 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.25%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.31% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | 2055 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 2055 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.25%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.29% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund Class G
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSYX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.70% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 225
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 392
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 876
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.22%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.42%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.73%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 23.17%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.96%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.88%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund Class G
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.17%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.88% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund Class G1
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSZX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.80% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 82
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 257
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 446
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 995
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund Class G1
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.02%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.78% [16]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 13, 2009
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXLPX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 304
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 528
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,171
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.21%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.45% [17]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks maximum total return that is consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 57% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 57.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade bonds. The Fund will select securities based on relative value, maturity, quality and sector. The Fund will maintain an actively managed portfolio of bonds selected from several categories, including U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and corporate bonds. The Fund will maintain an average duration between one and three years based on the portfolio managers’ forecast for interest rates. The Fund may invest up to 20% its net assets in securities of below investment grade quality (“high yield-high risk” or “junk”) bonds. For purposes of pursuing its investment goals, the Fund may, from time to time, enter into derivative contracts, including futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

High Yield Securities Risk - Below investment grade ("high yield/high risk" or "junk") bonds have a higher degree of credit risk and may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility in market value than investment grade bonds.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

U.S. Government Securities Risk - Yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than yields from many other fixed income securities. U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

U.S. Government Sponsored Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
September 2009
3.57%
Worst Quarter
June 2004
(1.53)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSDX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 61
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 335
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 750
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 2.12%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 2.62%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 5.78%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 4.74%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 0.33%
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 10.02%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 7.20%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 2.87%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 4.87%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 1.39%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 3.57%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2004
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (1.53%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.39%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.18%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.14%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Initial Class | Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.45%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.46%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.68%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXTDX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 471
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,049
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.35%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.58%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 15, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Class L | Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.45%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.45%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 15, 2012
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 94% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 94.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the common stocks of a diversified group of growth companies that are included in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of purchase, or if not included in that index, have market capitalizations of $3 billion or below at the time of purchase. When consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and investment strategies, the Fund will invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign securities; however, securities of Canadian issuers and American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) are not subject to this 25% limitation.

The Fund will identify companies believed to have favorable opportunities for capital appreciation within their industry grouping and invest in these companies when they: are determined to be in the developing stages of their life cycle; and have demonstrated, or are expected to achieve, long-term earnings growth.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Depository Receipts Risk - Depository receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Growth Stock Risk - Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since they usually reinvest a high proportion of earnings in their own business, they may not pay the dividends usually associated with value stocks that can cushion their decline in a falling market. Also, since investors buy these stocks because of the expected superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments may result in sharp price declines.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from small- or mid-capitalization stocks and/or growth stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
18.90%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(28.71)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund | Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 43.30%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 22.58%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.41%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSGX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.95%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20% [8]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.15%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.05%) [1]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 350
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 606
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,340
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 5.99%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.60%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 2.67%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 12.26%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (41.27%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 32.11%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 23.71%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (0.59%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.01%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 44.82%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 18.90%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (28.71%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 44.82%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 22.03%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.34%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.95%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15% [8]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [1]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 137
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 428
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 739
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,624
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Stock Index Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks investment results that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500® Index and S&P MidCap 400® Index, weighted according to their pro rata share of the market (the “Benchmark Index”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 5% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 5.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks included in its Benchmark Index. The Fund will seek investment results that track the total return of the common stocks that comprise the Benchmark Index by owning the securities contained in the Benchmark Index in as close as possible a proportion of the Fund as each stock’s weight in the Benchmark Index. This may be accomplished through ownership of all the stocks in the Benchmark Index and/or through a combination of stock ownership and owning futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts, and exchange-traded funds that seek to track the Benchmark Index.

The Benchmark Index is the S&P 500® Index and S&P MidCap 400® Index, weighted according to their pro rata share of the market. The S&P 500® Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of the 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. It is widely regarded as the best single gauge of the large cap U.S. equities market. The S&P MidCap 400® Index is comprised of 400 stocks representing companies in the middle tier of U.S. stock market capitalization.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk - An ETF is subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based. Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the ETFs in which the Fund invests. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole.

Investment Style Risk - There is a possibility that returns from mid- or large-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to possible loss of your original investment.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index reflects the performance of the S&P 500® Index and S&P MidCap 400® Index, weighted according to their pro rata share of the market. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June 2009
16.11%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(22.33)%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | S&P 500 Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.39%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.41%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.50%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.31%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.68%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.50%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.89%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.36%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | Great-West Stock Index Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXSIX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 61
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 335
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 750
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 10.74%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 5.02%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 14.69%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 5.14%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (37.26%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 26.76%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.48%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.21%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.54%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 31.72%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 16.11%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (22.33%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 31.72%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.65%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.09%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | Great-West Stock Index Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 471
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,049
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks substantial dividend income and also long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 18% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 18.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in common stocks, with an emphasis on large-capitalization stocks that have a strong record of paying dividends or that are believed to be undervalued.

The Fund will emphasize companies that appear to be undervalued by various measures with favorable prospects for increasing dividend income and capital appreciation.

The Fund will invest in companies which have one or more of the following characteristics: established operating histories; above-average current dividend yields relative to the S&P 500® Index; sound balance sheets and other positive financial characteristics; low price/earnings ratio relative to the S&P 500® Index; and low stock price relative to a company’s underlying value as measured by assets, cash flow or business franchises.

While most assets will typically be invested in U.S. common stocks, other securities may also be purchased in keeping with the Fund’s objectives. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities without regard to quality, maturity, or rating, including up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade fixed income securities. The Fund may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to secure gains, limit losses, or redeploy assets into more promising opportunities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to risk associated with changes in interest rates generally and the credit quality of the individual fixed income securities held.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from large-capitalization stocks and/or value stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market. The Fund’s emphasis on stocks of established companies paying high dividends may limit its potential for appreciation in a broad market advance. Such securities may be hurt when interest rates rise sharply. Also, a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Value Stock Risk - The value investing approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately valued.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
June, 2009
19.57%
Worst Quarter
December, 2008
(22.42)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXEQX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.80%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.82%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [18]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.82%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 84
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 263
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 457
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,017
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 15.03%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.13%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 19.11%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 3.24%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (36.18%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 25.20%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 15.07%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (0.88%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.21%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 30.00%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.57%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (22.42%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 30.00%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.82%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.42%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Initial Class | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.39%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.41%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXTQX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.80%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.35%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.40%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (2.20%) [18]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.20%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 381
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 659
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,454
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 29.49%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.76% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Class L | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.39%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.17% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 29% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 29.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the securities of issuers whose market capitalization falls within the range of companies included in either the S&P MidCap 400® Index ($697.70 million to $12.06 billion as of December 31, 2013) or the Russell MidCap® Growth Index ($411.60 million to $32.89 billion as of December 31, 2013) at the time of purchase. The market capitalization of the companies in the Fund, the S&P MidCap 400® Index, and the Russell MidCap® Growth Index will change over time, and the Fund will not automatically sell or cease to purchase a stock of a company it already owns just because the company’s market capitalization grows or falls outside of the index ranges.

The Fund will select stocks using a growth approach and invest in companies that: offer proven products or services; have a historical record of above-average earnings growth; demonstrate potential for sustained earnings growth; have a connection to industries experiencing increasing demand; or have stock prices that appear to undervalue their growth prospects.

While most assets will typically be invested in U.S. common stocks, other securities may also be purchased in keeping with the Fund’s investment objectives. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities without regard to quality, maturity, or rating, including up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade fixed income securities. The Fund may sell securities for a variety of reasons, such as to secure gains, limit losses, or redeploy assets into more promising opportunities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to risk associated with changes in interest rates generally and the credit quality of the individual fixed income securities held.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Growth Stock Risk - Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since they usually reinvest a high proportion of earnings in their own business, they may not pay the dividends usually associated with value stocks that can cushion their decline in a falling market. Also, since investors buy these stocks because of the expected superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments may result in sharp price declines.

Investment Style Risk - Returns from mid-capitalization stocks and/or growth stocks may trail returns from the overall stock market.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, sector of the economy or the market as a whole.

Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2013
11.85%
Worst Quarter
December 2008
(25.78)%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXMGX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.03%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.03%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [19]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.03%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 105
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 327
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 568
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,258
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.09%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 14.14%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 6.75%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 16.86%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (40.36%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 44.86%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 27.55%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.69%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.67%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 36.36%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.85%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (25.78%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 36.36%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 23.01%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.94%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial Class | Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 35.74%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 23.37%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.77%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Initial Class | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.50%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.89%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.36%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXTMX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.40%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.65%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.35%) [19]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.30%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 132
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 412
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 713
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,568
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Class L
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 36.06%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 22.69% [12]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 12, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Class L | Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 35.74%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 23.23% [12]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 12, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Class L | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 23.58% [12]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 12, 2011
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks current income with capital appreciation and growth of income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 34% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 34.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets in bonds issued by governments and government agencies located around the world. Bonds include debt securities of any maturity, such as bonds, notes, bills and debentures, including inflation-indexed securities. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be invested in issuers located in at least three countries (including the U.S.). The Fund focuses on bonds rated investment grade or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Sub-Adviser, but may invest up to 25% of its total assets in below investment grade bonds (“high yield-high risk” or “junk” bonds). The Fund may invest without limit in developing markets.

For purposes of pursuing its investment goals, the Fund regularly uses various currency-related transactions involving derivative instruments, principally currency and cross currency forwards, but may also use currency and currency index futures. The Fund maintains significant positions in currency-related derivative instruments as a hedging technique or to implement a currency investment strategy, which could expose a large amount of the Fund’s assets to obligations under the instruments.

The portfolio managers allocate the Fund’s assets based upon their assessment of changing market, political and economic conditions. They will consider various factors, including evaluation of interest and currency exchange rate changes and credit risks.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Currency Management Strategies Risk - Currency management strategies may substantially change the Fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the portfolio managers expect. In addition, currency management strategies, to the extent that they reduce the Fund’s exposure to currency risks, may also reduce the Fund’s ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates.

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies. Currency risk is especially high in emerging markets.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Developing and Emerging Markets Risk - Securities of issuers located in emerging markets may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the securities of issuers located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment, greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties, and greater volatility in currency exchange rates than more developed countries.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments.

Geographic Concentration Risk - Geographic concentration risk is the risk that economic, political and social conditions in the countries or regions in which the Fund invests will have a significant impact on the performance of the Fund.

High Yield Securities Risk - Below investment grade ("high yield-high risk" or "junk") bonds have a higher degree of credit risk and may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility in market value than investment grade bonds.

Inflation-Indexed Securities - Inflation-indexed securities have a tendency to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates represent nominal (stated) interest rates lowered by the anticipated effect of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-indexed security can decrease when real interest rates increase, and can increase when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-indexed securities will fluctuate as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and can be unpredictable.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.
  
Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Non-Diversification Risk - The Fund is classified as non-diversified, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of issuers, including issuers primarily within the same industry or economic sector.

Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political situations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors in the past have been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moritoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Risk - Inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. While TIPS may provide investors with a hedge against inflation, in the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds would likely decline in price, resulting in losses to the Fund.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Closing [Text Block] rr_RiskClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
March 2008
8.12%
Worst Quarter
September 2011
(7.99)%
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus Non-Diversification Risk - The Fund is classified as non-diversified, which means a relatively high percentage of its assets may be invested in securities of a limited number of issuers, including issuers primarily within the same industry or economic sector.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the web site does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to the Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund | Citigroup World Government Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Citigroup World Government Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.00%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.28%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.15%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXGBX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.30%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.30%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 132
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 412
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 713
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,568
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 4.84%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 0.62%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 14.85%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 13.57%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 4.45%
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 14.71%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.92%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.63%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.76%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 0.55%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2008
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 8.12%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (7.99%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.55%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.63%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.58%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.30%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 158
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 490
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 845
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,845
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks the highest level of return consistent with preservation of capital and substantial credit protection.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s turnover rate was 60% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 60.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If reflected, the expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in mortgage-related securities that have been issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund will invest in private mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs may be issued by private issuers and collateralized by securities issued or guaranteed by (i) the U.S. Government, (ii) agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or (iii) private originators. The Fund may invest in commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and investment grade corporate bonds.

The Fund will focus on relative value of the security by analyzing the current and expected level of interest rates, and current and historical asset yields versus treasury yields. The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls with up to 20% of its net assets. In a mortgage dollar roll transaction, the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities (the same type, issuer, term and coupon) on a specified future date from the same party. For purposes of pursuing its investment goals, the Fund may, from time to time, enter into derivative contracts, including futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Derivative Risk - Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the security’s market value declines and when interest rates decline, market values rise. The longer a security’s maturity, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on fixed income securities and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security's market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages and other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Mortgage Dollar Roll Risk - Mortgage dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price of those securities. These transactions involve the risk that the portfolio managers will not correctly predict mortgage prepayments and interest rates, which will diminish the Fund’s performance. These transactions may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate.

Sector Risk - Sector risk is a possibility that certain sectors of the economy (such as financial services, health or technology) may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole. 

U.S. Government Securities Risk - Yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than yields from many other fixed income securities. U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

U.S. Government Sponsored Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

Risk Closing [Text Block] rr_RiskClosingTextBlock
 
Quarter Ended
Total Return
Best Quarter
December 2008
3.53%
Worst Quarter
June 2004
(2.07)%
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Initial Class for the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of two broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. Class L shares performance would be lower than Initial Class performance because of the 12b-1 fees applicable to Class L shares.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2013
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Composite Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.65%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.41%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.52%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.14%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.69%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.61%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Barclays U.S. Government Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Barclays U.S. Government Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.60%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.26%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.14%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Initial Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol MXGMX
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 61
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 335
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 750
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Initial Class
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.66%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.11%
GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 271
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 471
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,049
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 3.44%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 2.17%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 4.38%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.50%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 6.46%
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 6.01%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 5.58%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 5.72%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 3.22%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 (2.02%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 3.53%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2004
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (2.07%)
[1] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 1.10% and 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.
[2] Since inception on July 29, 2011
[3] The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
[4] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
[5] Since inception on May 1, 2009
[6] Since inception on April 7, 2011
[7] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations
[8] Other expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
[9] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 1.20% and 1.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.
[10] The Management Fees have been restated to reflect the current fees
[11] The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses have been restated to reflect the reduced Management Fees
[12] Since inception on August 12, 2011
[13] The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses may not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses.
[14] GWCM has contractually agreed to reduce its advisory fee or pay the Fund an amount equal to the amount by which any ordinary operating expenses, excluding advisory fees payable to GWCM, distribution and service fees pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 or successor plan, expenses incurred under an administrative services plan, interest, taxes, brokerage and transaction costs, other investment-related costs, leverage expenses, extraordinary expenses such as litigation, other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business, indirect expenses (including, without limitation, acquired fund fees and expenses), and expenses of any counsel or other persons or services retained by Great-West Funds’ Independent Directors (“Fund Other Expenses”) incurred by a class of the Fund exceed an annual rate of 0.07% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A shares (“Expense Limit”). The agreement’s current term ends on April 30, 2015. The agreement automatically renews for one-year terms unless it is terminated by Great-West Funds or GWCM upon written notice within 90 days of the end of the current term or upon termination of the advisory agreement. GWCM is permitted to recoup amounts waived or reimbursed to the class in future periods, not exceeding three years, if the class’s Fund Other Expenses including such recoupment do not exceed the Expense Limit.
[15] After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual Federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown do not apply to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or an individual retirement account (IRA).
[16] Since inception on November 13, 2009
[17] Since inception on January 31, 2011
[18] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 0.95% and 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.
[19] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 1.05% and 1.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Initial Class shares and Class L shares, respectively. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.