Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Document Type

dei_DocumentType

485BPOS

Document Period End Date

dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate

Dec. 31, 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

Apr. 30, 2015

Document Effective Date

dei_DocumentEffectiveDate

May 01, 2015

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

May 01, 2015

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.

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 120% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

120.00%

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 Depositary 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.

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

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.

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

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	15.85%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-14.46%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund | Russell 1000 Growth Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.05%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

17.16%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 16, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXRDX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

208

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

362

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

810

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

11.13%

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 12, 2012

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

15.85%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(14.46%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

11.13%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.50%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 16, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West American Century Growth Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

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 26% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

26.00%

Expense Footnotes [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseFootnotesTextBlock

GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, excluding Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees and Administrative Services Fees. 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 ($3.29 billion to $8.51 billion as of December 31, 2014), medium ($8.51 billion to $25.19 billion as of December 31, 2014) or medium/large ($25.19 billion to $89.91 billion as of December 31, 2014) 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.

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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell MidCap® Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell MidCap® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.22%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

17.19%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

9.56%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.51%

^[1]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 20, 2013

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXOAX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[3]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.60%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

^[3]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

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

349

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

605

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,337

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

7.80%

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

7.80%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.31%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.93%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXAMX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.80%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.15%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.00%

^[3]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.65%)

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

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.91%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.99%

^[1]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 20, 2013

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 was57% 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 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.

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 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 Classfor the last ten calendar years and comparing its average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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	December 2008	5.28%
Worst Quarter	June 2013	-2.46%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Since Inception

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.49%

^[4]

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Bond Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXCOX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.15%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

15

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

48

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

85

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

192

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.15%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%)

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.76%

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, 2013

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(2.46%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.76%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.11%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.57%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.15%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

5.51%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.76%

^[4]

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 was57% 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 following is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund:

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest 80% of its assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in fixed income securities. 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.

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 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.

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	September 2009	5.41%
Worst Quarter	June 2013	-3.76%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or Class L shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXIUX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

36

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

113

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

197

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

443

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%)

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.20%

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. 13, 2013

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(3.76%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.20%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.31%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.90%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Federated Bond Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid 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 was226%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

226.00%

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, 2014) between $203.52 million and $30.24 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.

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.

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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	September 2009	22.44%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-26.30%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell MidCap Value Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell MidCap Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

14.75%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

17.43%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.56%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 15, 2008

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXKJX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.90%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.90%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

16.10%

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

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(26.30%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

16.10%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

17.24%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.38%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 15, 2008

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 10%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

10.00%

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, 2014, 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.

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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	September 2013	11.26%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-20.14%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund | MSCI EAFE Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.90%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.61%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 13, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXPBX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

36

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

113

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

197

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

443

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(6.19%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 13, 2013

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

11.26%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(20.14%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.19%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.38%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 13, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West International Index Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 was90% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

90.00%

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 $4.9 billion (as of December 31, 2014). 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 $4.9 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.

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 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.

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	September 2009	22.55%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-24.02%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000® Value Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.22%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.26%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.24%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 15, 2008

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXMYX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

1.05%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.05%

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

579

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,283

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

1.05%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

8.53%

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

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(24.02%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

8.53%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.67%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.75%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 15, 2008

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

1.05%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 was27% 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 25-45% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 55-75% 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 Cap	11.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	5.0%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	2.6%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	5.2%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	1.2%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	57.1%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	6.5%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	10.7%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 the 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	7.06%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-6.77%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2015 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.14%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.19%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.19%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXMAX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.52%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

50

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

157

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

274

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

616

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.84%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

86

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

268

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

466

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,037

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.57%

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

5.57%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.06%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.41%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.94%

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

520

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,155

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund I Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.47%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.96%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.32%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.12%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.09%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

111

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

347

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

601

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,329

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 was24% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

24.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	15.8%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	6.7%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	3.4%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	7.0%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	1.6%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	49.2%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	7.2%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	9.2%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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	7.96%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-8.61%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index since Inception May 1 2009

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.55%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.60%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.31%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index Since Inception April 7 2011

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.55%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.84%

^[10]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 07, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXMZX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[11]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.54%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.52%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

53

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

167

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

291

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

653

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[11]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

89

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

278

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

482

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,073

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.04%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

7.96%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(8.61%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.04%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.93%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.55%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[11]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.99%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

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

536

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,190

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.93%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.82%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.45%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[11]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.14%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.12%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

114

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

356

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

617

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,363

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund II Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.79%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.19%

^[10]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 07, 2011

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 79%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

79.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 45-65% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and 35-55% 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 Cap	19.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	8.4%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	4.3%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	8.7%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	2.0%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	41.3%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	8.0%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	7.8%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	9.06%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-10.68%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2015 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2015 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.99%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.36%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXNYX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.54%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.52%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

53

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

167

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

291

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

653

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

89

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

278

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

482

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,073

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.41%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.41%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.69%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.65%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.99%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

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

536

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,190

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund III Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.39%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.62%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.58%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.42%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.14%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.12%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

114

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

356

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

617

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,363

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 was29%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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	16.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	7.0%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	4.2%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	8.5%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	2.3%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	49.9%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	6.2%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	5.7%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	8.65%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-9.91%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2025 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.90%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.53%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.26%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXOZX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.43%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.55%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.54%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

55

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

173

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

302

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

677

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.43%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

91

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

284

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

493

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,096

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.79%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.79%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.15%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.01%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.43%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.00%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.99%

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

1,213

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund I Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.67%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.04%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.43%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.14%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

116

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

362

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

628

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,386

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 19% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

19.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 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 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 Cap	21.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	9.3%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	5.7%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	11.4%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	3.1%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	37.8%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	6.7%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	4.3%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index Since Inception May 1 2009

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.04%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.10%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.62%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index Since Inception April 7 2011

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.04%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.87%

^[10]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 07, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXPAX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.57%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.56%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

57

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

179

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

313

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

701

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

290

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

504

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,120

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.24%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

6.24%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.21%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.45%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.02%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.01%

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

558

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,236

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.17%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.13%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.36%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.17%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.16%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

118

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

368

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

638

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,409

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund II Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.98%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.26%

^[10]

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 66%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

66.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 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 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 Cap	27.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	11.7%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	7.1%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	14.3%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	3.9%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	25.4%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	7.3%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	2.9%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	11.00%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-14.64%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2025 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.14%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.28%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.26%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXQBX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.46%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.58%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.57%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

58

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

183

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

318

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

714

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.46%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.93%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

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

509

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,131

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.81%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

6.81%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.22%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.76%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.46%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.03%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

104

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

325

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

563

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,248

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund III Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.61%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.09%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.64%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.46%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.18%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[7],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.17%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

119

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

372

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

644

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,420

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 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 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 Cap	23.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	10.1%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	7.2%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	14.4%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	4.5%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	32.8%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	5.8%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	1.7%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	10.52%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-13.52%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2035 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.06%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.03%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.55%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.47%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.59%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

60

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

189

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

329

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

738

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.47%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.94%

^[6]

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

520

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,155

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.03%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

6.03%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.62%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.04%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.47%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.04%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

106

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

331

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

574

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,271

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund I Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.86%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.51%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.92%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.47%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.19%

^[6]

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

121

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

378

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

654

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,443

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 15%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

15.00%

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 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 Cap	29.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	12.6%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	9.0%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	18.1%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	5.6%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	18.0%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	6.3%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	0.9%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.80%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.15%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.14%

^[9]

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.80%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.65%

^[10]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 07, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXRJX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.62%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

63

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

199

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

346

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

774

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

^[6]

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

536

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,190

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.30%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

6.30%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.53%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.13%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.07%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

109

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

590

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,306

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.21%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.41%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.02%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.22%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

124

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

387

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

670

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,477

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund II Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.96%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.33%

^[10]

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 51%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

51.00%

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 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 Cap	33.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	14.3%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	10.1%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	20.4%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	6.3%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	8.6%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
American Century Short Duration Inflation Protected Bond Fund R6
PIMCO Real Return Fund Instl
Real Estate	6.7%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6
Short-Term Bond/Cash	0.4%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional
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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2035 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2035 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.67%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.65%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.84%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXTBX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.48%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.60%

^[6]

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.48%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.95%

^[6]

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.60%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

6.60%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.14%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.94%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.48%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.05%

^[6]

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

579

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,283

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund III Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.44%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.99%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.81%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.48%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.20%

^[6]

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

381

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

660

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,455

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 was23% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

23.00%

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 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 Cap	27.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	11.9%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	9.7%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	19.6%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	7.0%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	18.6%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
Real Estate	5.5%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2045 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.57%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.65%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.47%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXUCX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

62

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

195

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

762

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

^[6]

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.72%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.72%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.22%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.85%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.06%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

108

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

337

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

585

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,294

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund I Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.64%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.11%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.73%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

^[6]

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations.

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

665

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,466

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 was16% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

16.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	31.1%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.3%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	10.9%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	22.0%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	7.8%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	9.1%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
Real Estate	5.8%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6

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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.25%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.15%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.29%

^[9]

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.25%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.56%

^[10]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 07, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXVDX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.62%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

62

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

195

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

762

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.89%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.89%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.75%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.55%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.07%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.06%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

108

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

337

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

585

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,294

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.72%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.63%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.43%

^[9]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.22%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

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

665

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,466

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund II Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.58%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.55%

^[10]

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 was49% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

49.00%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations.

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	32.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.9%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	11.4%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	22.9%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	8.2%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	5.2%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
Real Estate	6.0%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	12.24%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-17.08%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2045 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2045 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.11%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.36%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXWEX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.60%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.60%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.91%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.81%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.06%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.05%

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

579

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,283

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund III Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.75%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.84%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.49%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

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

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 22% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

22.00%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	26.7%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	11.5%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	10.8%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	21.8%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	8.8%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	15.2%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
Real Estate	5.2%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I | Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2055 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Conservative 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.07%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.50%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.45%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXXFX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[13]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.62%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

62

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

195

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

762

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[13]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.26%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.26%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.11%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.79%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[13]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.07%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.06%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

108

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

337

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

585

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,294

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund I Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.05%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.98%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.67%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[13]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.22%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

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

665

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,466

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 was16% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

16.00%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	29.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	12.5%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	11.7%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	23.7%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	9.6%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	8.0%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
Real Estate	5.3%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6

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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class 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	12.20%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-16.72%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.74%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.83%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.09%

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Moderate 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.74%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.16%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 07, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXYGX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.62%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

63

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

199

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

346

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

774

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.98%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

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

536

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,190

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.21%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.21%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.50%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.39%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.08%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.07%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

109

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

590

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,306

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.13%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.39%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.26%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.23%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.22%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

125

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

390

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

676

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,489

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund II Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.01%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.24%

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.

Objective, Secondary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

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 was75% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

75.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	30.2%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.0%
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Small Cap	12.1%
AllianzGI NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund R6
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional
Janus Triton Fund N
Invesco Small Cap Discovery Fund R6
International	24.5%
Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Invesco International Growth Fund R6
Emerging Markets	9.9%
Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund I
Bond	5.0%
Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund I
Real Estate	5.3%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
American Century Real Estate Fund R6
DFA International Real Estate Securities Fund I
Invesco Global Real Estate Fund R6

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III | Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2055 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Morningstar Lifetime Aggressive 2055 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.58%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.99%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.62%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

62

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

195

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

762

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.27%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.27%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.67%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.07%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.06%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

108

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

337

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

585

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,294

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund III Class T1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.08%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.57%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.53%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

May 01, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

^[5]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.22%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations.

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

665

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,466

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

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 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.

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 issuerand 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch Corporate/Government Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

BofA Merrill Lynch Corporate/Government Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.48%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.79%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.73%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXUGX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.55%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.55%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

56

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

176

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

307

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

689

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | Initial Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXLMX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.55%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

3.45%

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

3.45%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.84%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.50%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.55%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

^[14]

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 24% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

24.00%

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 ($31 million to $7.3 billion as of December 31, 2014), 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	19.10%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-24.16%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000® Value Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.22%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.26%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.89%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Russell 2000® Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 2000® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.89%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.55%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.77%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXTFX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.09%

^[14]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.09%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

76

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

237

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

411

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

918

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Initial Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXLSX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.09%

^[14]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.44%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.09%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

111

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

347

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

602

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,332

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

4.86%

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

4.86%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.77%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.28%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[14]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

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

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Great-West MFS International 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 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.

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 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	20.65%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-20.22%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund | MSCI EAFE Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.90%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.33%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.43%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXHTX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.85%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

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 MFS International Growth Fund | Initial Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXIGX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.85%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(5.37%)

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. 11, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(20.22%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.37%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.25%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.05%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Growth Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.85%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

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

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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 intrinsic value (value companies). The Sub-Adviser focuses on companies it believes have intrinsic value greater than the perceived value by the market place, e.g., companies with cash flow in excess of their capital expenditures, conservative balance sheets, sustainable competitive advantages, high returns on capital, or the ability to weather economic downturns. These companies may have stock prices that are higher relative to their earnings, dividends, assets, or other financial measures than companies generally considered value companies. 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.

While the Sub-Adviser may use derivatives for any investment purpose, to the extent the Sub-Adviser uses derivatives, the Sub-Adviser expects to use derivatives primarily to increase or decrease currency exposure. Derivatives include futures, forward contracts, options, structured securities, and swaps.

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.

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 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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.    Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 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	26.36%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-30.24%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | MSCI EAFE Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.90%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.33%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.43%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.72%

^[15]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2013

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

MSCI EAFE Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.39%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.42%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

3.89%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.90%

^[15]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2013

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXJVX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[16]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

^[16]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Initial Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXIVX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

^[16]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

^[16]

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

0.99%

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

0.99%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.17%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.23%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West MFS International Value Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXMIX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.90%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.25%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.15%

^[16]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.70%)

^[16]

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

793

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,738

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.61%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.90%

^[15]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2013

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.

Regulatory Risk - In July 2014, the SEC adopted money market fund reform intended to address potential systemic risks associated with money market funds and to improve transparency for money market fund investors. The Fund is required to comply with money market reforms by the specified compliance dates. As a result, the Fund may be required to take certain steps that will impact its structure and/or operations, which could impact the return potential of the Fund.

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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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	June 2009	0.00%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

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, 2014, the Fund’s 7-day yield and its effective yield were:

Money Market Seven Day Yield, Caption [Text]

rr_MoneyMarketSevenDayYieldCaption

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s 7-day yield and its effective yield were:

Money Market Seven Day Yield Column [Text]

rr_MoneyMarketSevenDayYieldColumnName

	7-Day Yield	Effective Yield
Initial Class	0.06%	0.00%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Money Market Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.11%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.11%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

11

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

35

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

62

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

141

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.11%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 01, 2007

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

1.22%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

0.00%

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

none

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

none

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

1.38%

Money Market Seven Day Yield

rr_MoneyMarketSevenDayYield

0.06%

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 24%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

24.00%

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.

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 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.

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 two broad-based securities market indices. No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | Russell 1000 Growth Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.05%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.81%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.49%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.67%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXGSX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

208

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

362

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

810

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

12.26%

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

12.26%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.32%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.22%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

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 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 was15% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

15.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	10.9%	International	6.4%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	5.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	5.9%	Bond	41.1%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	1.9%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	28.8%
		GWL&A Contract
		Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional

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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	-7.00%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.27%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.53%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.04%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile I Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.70%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.62%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

63

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

199

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

346

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

774

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.05%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

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

536

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,190

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

4.95%

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

4.95%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.22%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.23%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.30%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.22%

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

124

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

387

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

670

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,477

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 13% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

13.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	17.6%	International	10.3%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	4.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	9.5%	Bond	32.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	3.1%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	22.6%
		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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.82%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.96%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.65%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.68%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

69

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

218

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

379

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

847

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.11%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

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

328

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

569

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,259

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.61%

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

5.61%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.51%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.93%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile I Fund | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.36%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.28%

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

130

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

406

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

702

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,545

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 was23% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

23.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	24.3%	International	14.2%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	4.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.1%	Bond	23.6%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	4.3%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	16.5%
		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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.29%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.29%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.02%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile I Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.56%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.81%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.06%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.56%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.16%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.06%)

^[18]

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.39%

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

6.39%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.85%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.40%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.56%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.06%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.35%

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

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 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 was12% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

12.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	30.3%	International	17.6%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	3.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	16.2%	Bond	15.9%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	5.4%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	11.1%
		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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.28%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.53%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.49%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile I Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[19]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.88%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[19]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.23%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[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

660

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,455

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.82%

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

6.82%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.15%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.69%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[19]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.48%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.45%

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 was11% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

11.00%

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	42.2%	International	24.6%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	3.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	22.7%	Small Cap	7.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
		Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional

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 Index^SM (real estate). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 2009	20.56%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-24.09%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

8.58%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.79%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.15%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile I Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.98%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

100

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

312

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

542

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,201

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.33%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

135

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

421

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

729

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,601

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

8.15%

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

8.15%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.38%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.76%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[17]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.58%

^[6]

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

860

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,878

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.

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	10.9%	International	6.4%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	5.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	5.9%	Bond	41.1%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	1.9%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	28.8%
		GWL&A Contract
		Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional

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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 [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	10.50%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-6.97%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.49%

^[4]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.41%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.27%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.53%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.04%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Composite Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.27%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.97%

^[4]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXKVX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.55%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.47%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

48

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

151

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

263

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

591

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[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

262

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

455

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,014

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.05%

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

5.05%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.39%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.38%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.45%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.07%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

109

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

590

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,306

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Conservative Profile II Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.79%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.60%

^[4]

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.

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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	17.6%	International	10.3%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	4.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	9.5%	Bond	32.4%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	3.1%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	22.6%
		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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 [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	12.07%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-9.41%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.49%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.41%

^[4]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.82%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.96%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.65%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Composite Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.82%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.58%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXJUX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.53%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

54

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

170

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

296

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

665

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

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

281

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

488

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,084

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.79%

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

5.79%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.70%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.08%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.08%)

^[18]

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

1,375

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile II Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.56%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.16%

^[4]

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 was16% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

16.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	24.3%	International	14.2%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	4.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.1%	Bond	23.6%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	4.3%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	16.5%
		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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 [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	14.21%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-11.88%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.49%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.41%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.29%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.29%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.02%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Composite Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.29%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.10%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXITX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.57%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.67%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.06%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

62

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

195

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

762

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.57%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.02%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.06%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

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

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.44%

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

6.44%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.97%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.54%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.57%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.27%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.06%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.21%

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

665

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,466

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Moderate Profile II Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.22%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.68%

^[4]

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 was15%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

15.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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	30.3%	International	17.6%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	3.5%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	16.2%	Bond	15.9%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Federated Bond Fund Institutional
Small Cap	5.4%	Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund Institutional
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional		Short-Term Bond	11.1%
		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 Index^SM (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 Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 [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	17.16%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-16.71%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.49%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.41%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.78%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.53%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.49%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Composite Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.78%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.50%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXHRX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[18]

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.08%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[18]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.05%

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

579

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,283

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

7.06%

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

7.06%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.29%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.84%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.63%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.33%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[18]

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

Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.84%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.14%

^[4]

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 was16% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

16.00%

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 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	42.2%	International	24.6%
Great-West Multi-Manager Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West American Century Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West MFS International Value Fund Institutional
Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund Institutional		Real Estate	3.0%
Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund Institutional		Great-West Real Estate Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	22.7%	Small Cap	7.5%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional		Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional
Great-West Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional		Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund Institutional
	7.5%	Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund Institutional

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 Index^SM (real estate). See Appendix A for more information regarding the Composite Index. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 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 2009	20.52%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-24.00%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.99%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.41%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

8.58%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.79%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.15%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Composite Index (Since Inception 7/29/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

8.58%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.16%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund | Institutional

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXGTX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[12]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.83%

^[6]

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[12]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.18%

^[6]

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

649

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,432

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

8.34%

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

8.34%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.56%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.92%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[12]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.43%

^[6]

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

146

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

452

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

782

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,713

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West Aggressive Profile II Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.96%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.74%

^[4]

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 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.

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 $275 million and $397 billion as of December 31, 2014). 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 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

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	December 2011	13.97%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-17.53%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund | Russell 1000 Value Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.95%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 16, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXQCX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

12.36%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

13.97%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(17.53%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.36%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 16, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 was53% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

53.00%

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.

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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

J.P. Morgan Developed High Yield Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.15%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.42%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.92%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXFRX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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

13.80%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

2.24%

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

15.00%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

7.65%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

2.09%

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

2.09%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.02%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.46%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Putnam High Yield Bond Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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

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 Index^SM (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:

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	December 2014	14.77%
Worst Quarter	September 2013	-3.34%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT IndexSM (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

32.00%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.85%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 27, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXSFX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

36

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

113

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

197

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

443

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

30.86%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2014

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

14.77%

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

30.86%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.30%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 27, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Real Estate Index Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.35%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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. 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:

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 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.

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 by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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 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	15.88%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-22.09%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.67%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | S&P 500 Index Since Inception

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.85%

^[4]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P 500 Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXKWX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

26

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

80

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

318

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

13.00%

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

13.00%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.79%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.96%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

12.74%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.22%

^[4]

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 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

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:

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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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	September 2011	-19.94%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.77%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.81%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 20, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXNZX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

26

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

80

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

318

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

9.21%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 13, 2013

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

13.31%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(19.94%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.21%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.36%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 20, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400 Index Fund | Class L

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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 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:

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 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.

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 by comparing the Fund’s average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.76%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

17.27%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

9.02%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | S&P SmallCap 600 Since Inception

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P SmallCap 600® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.76%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

21.07%

^[20]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Aug. 12, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXERX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

26

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

80

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

318

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.20%

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

5.20%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.66%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.47%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

4.93%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

20.09%

^[20]

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 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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	27.0%	International	12.0%
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Mid Cap	11.0%	Emerging Markets	3.0%
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 ETF		Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
Small Cap	9.0%	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.

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	September 2014	-1.58%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.75%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 23, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

18.78%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 23, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced ETF Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.93%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 23, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.26%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.09%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.81%

^[21]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.19%)

^[22]

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

687

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

826

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,230

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

15.52%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.22%

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

Sep. 30, 2014

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(1.58%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Class A before taxes

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.91%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.47%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 23, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

6.22%

^[23]

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.38%

^[23]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 23, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.56%

^[23]

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.32%

^[23]

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 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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	26.0%	Emerging Markets	3.0%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
Mid Cap	11.0%	Bond	35.0%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	9.0%	Short-Term Bond	5.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	11.0%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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 [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	8.45%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-9.75%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.23%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.86%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.72%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.06%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Composite Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.72%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.77%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.87%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Balanced Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.10%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.29%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

30

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

93

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

163

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

368

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.66%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.64%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

65

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

205

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

357

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

798

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

6.13%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

6.13%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.07%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.89%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

76

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

237

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

411

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

918

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.00%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.95%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.87%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

91

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

284

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

493

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,096

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.92%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.20%

^[24]

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 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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	23.9%	Emerging Markets	2.2%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Mid Cap	10.3%	Bond	38.9%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	6.1%	Short-Term Bond	5.1%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	13.5%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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 indexes and a composite index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund compares its returns to the 2015 Composite Index. The 2015 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 2015 Composite Index. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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	8.16%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-9.29%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.23%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.86%

^[25]

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.30%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.45%

^[24]

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.30%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.16%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.25%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2015 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.33%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

32

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

100

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

174

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

393

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.68%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.66%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

67

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

211

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

368

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

822

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.76%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.76%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.31%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.20%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.78%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

78

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

243

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

422

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

942

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.66%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.20%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.10%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.93%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

290

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

504

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,120

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2015 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.48%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.43%

^[24]

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 was23% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

23.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	23.9%	Emerging Markets	2.2%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Mid Cap	10.3%	Bond	38.9%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	6.1%	Short-Term Bond	5.1%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	13.5%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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.

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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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	7.14%
Worst Quarter	June 2012	-1.82%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.30%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.45%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2020 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.33%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

32

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

100

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

174

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

393

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.68%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.66%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

67

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

211

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

368

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

822

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

11.34%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

14.42%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.75%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 12, 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

5.75%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.78%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

78

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

243

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

422

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

942

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.63%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.65%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.93%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

290

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

504

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,120

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2020 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.52%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.54%

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 was20% 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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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. 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 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 Cap	24.6%	Emerging Markets	2.3%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Mid Cap	10.5%	Bond	37.4%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	6.4%	Short-Term Bond	4.7%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	14.1%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.23%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.86%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | 2025 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.36%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.63%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | 2025 Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.36%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.62%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2025 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.33%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.31%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

32

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

100

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

174

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

393

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.68%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.66%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

67

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

211

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

368

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

822

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.70%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.70%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.52%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.48%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.78%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

78

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

243

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

422

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

942

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.62%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.43%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.39%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.93%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

290

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

504

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,120

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2025 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.53%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.60%

^[24]

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 was14%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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	28.6%	Emerging Markets	3.5%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Mid Cap	12.3%	Bond	27.5%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	8.1%	Short-Term Bond	2.5%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	17.5%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.34%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.39%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2030 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.23%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.34%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

35

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

109

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

191

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

431

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.23%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.70%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.69%

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

859

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

13.50%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

19.61%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.56%

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

5.56%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.56%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.23%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.80%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

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

5.51%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.48%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.23%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.95%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.94%

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

520

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,155

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2030 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.30%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.43%

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 was15% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

15.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	31.9%	Emerging Markets	4.8%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Mid Cap	13.7%	Bond	17.9%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	9.7%	Short-Term Bond	1.1%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	20.9%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.23%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.86%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | 2035 Composite Index (Since Inception 1/31/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.19%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.96%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | 2035 Composite Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.19%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.78%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2035 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.37%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.36%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

37

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

116

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

202

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

456

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.72%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.71%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

73

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

883

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.36%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

5.36%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.77%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.76%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.81%

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

450

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,002

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2035 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.27%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.69%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.69%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.96%

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 2035 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.30%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.92%

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 15%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

15.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	33.4%	Emerging Markets	6.2%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Mid Cap	14.3%	Bond	11.6%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional
Small Cap	11.0%	Short-Term Bond	0.3%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		GWL&A Contract
International	23.2%
Great-West International Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.94%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.18%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.38%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

39

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

122

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

213

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

480

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

75

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

233

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

406

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

906

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

15.28%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

23.58%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.02%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 12, 2012

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

10.91%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 12, 2012

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(4.18%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund Class G

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.02%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.27%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2040 Fund | Class G1

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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.84%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.83%

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

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.20%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.99%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[18],[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.98%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

100

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

312

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

542

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,201

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2040 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.07%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.29%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	33.2%	International	24.4%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	14.2%	Emerging Markets	7.4%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Small Cap	11.7%	Bond	9.1%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.23%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.86%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | 2045 Composite Index (Since Inception 1/31/2011)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.68%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.10%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | 2045 Composite Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.68%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.96%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.21%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2045 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.38%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

39

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

122

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

213

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

480

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

75

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

233

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

406

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

906

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

4.72%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

4.72%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.90%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.91%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.84%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.83%

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

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.58%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.80%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.80%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.99%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.98%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

100

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

312

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

542

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,201

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2045 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.58%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.17%

^[24]

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 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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Cap	32.1%	International	25.0%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.8%	Emerging Markets	8.6%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Small Cap	12.1%	Bond	8.4%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.42%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2050 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.28%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

40

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

125

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

219

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

493

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.28%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

76

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

237

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

411

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

918

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

15.67%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

23.49%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

4.54%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 12, 2012

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

11.16%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 12, 2012

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(4.48%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund Class G

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.28%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.84%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

86

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

268

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

466

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,037

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.34%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.28%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.00%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.99%

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

1,213

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2050 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.51%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.02%

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 25% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

25.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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, 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 Cap	30.1%	International	25.5%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West International Index Fund Institutional
Mid Cap	13.3%	Emerging Markets	9.8%
Great-West S&P Mid Cap 400® Index Fund Institutional		Northern Emerging Markets Equity Index
Small Cap	12.4%	Bond	8.0%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund Institutional		Great-West Bond Index Fund Institutional

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 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. 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 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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year. 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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations. Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.94%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.45%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.23%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.08%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Wilshire 5000 Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Wilshire 5000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

12.71%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.86%

^[25]

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.17%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.69%

^[24]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jan. 31, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | 2055 Composite Index (Since Inception 11/13/2009)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.17%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.63%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.88%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West SecureFoundation Lifetime 2055 Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.12%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.38%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.37%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

38

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

119

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

208

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

468

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.73%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.72%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

74

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

230

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

401

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

894

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

4.25%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 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

4.25%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.57%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.56%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.83%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

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

262

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

455

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,014

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund Class G1

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.07%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.46%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.45%

^[25]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Nov. 13, 2009

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[12]

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.98%

^[6]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[8]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

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

536

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,190

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Great-West SecureFoundation® Lifetime 2055 Fund Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.27%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

8.84%

^[24]

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 55% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

55.00%

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. Duration is a measure of the Fund’s price sensitivity to changes in prevailing interest rates. Generally, the longer a fund’s duration the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, if interest rates rise by 1%, a fund with a two-year effective duration would expect the value of its portfolio to decrease by 2% and a fund with a ten-year effective duration would expect the value of its portfolio to decrease by 10%, all other factors being equal. 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.

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 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. A rise in interest rates also tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities.

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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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	September 2008	-0.87%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund | Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.12%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

2.42%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

3.61%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.30%

^[26]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 15, 2012

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXXJX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

26

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

80

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

318

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

1.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 01, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

3.57%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(0.87%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.00%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.40%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.02%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

1.07%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.35%

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 was81%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

81.00%

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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 Depositary 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.

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.

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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.60%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.80%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

8.54%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXWIX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

^[27]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[3]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

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

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.60%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.22%

^[27]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.57%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.17%

^[3]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.07%)

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(4.93%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 01, 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

(4.93%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.26%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.18%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Small Cap Growth 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.15%

^[27]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.35%

^[3]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

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 was4%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 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:

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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 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	16.11%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-22.33%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.67%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.35%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.56%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.87%

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

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.77%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

9.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

26

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

80

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

318

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

12.76%

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

12.76%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.93%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.28%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Stock Index 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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 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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 track record of paying dividends or that are believed to be undervalued.

The Sub-Adviser typically employs a "value" approach in selecting investments. The Sub-Adviser's in-house research team seeks companies hat appear to be undervalued by various measures and may be temporarily out of favor but have good prospects for dividend growth 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.

The Fund generally seeks investments in large-capitalization companies and the Sub-Adviser expects that the Fund's yield, which reflects the level of dividends paid by the Fund, will normally exceed the yield of the S&P 500^® Index. In pursuing the Fund's investment objective, the Sub-Adviser has the discretion to purchase some securities that do not meet its normal investment criteria, as described above, when it perceives an opportunity for substantial appreciation. These special situations might arise when the Sub-Adviser believes a security could increase in value for a variety of reasons, including a change in management, an extraordinary corporate event, a new product introduction or innovation, or a favorable competitive development.

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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.45%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.67%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | S&P 500 Index Since Inception

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.85%

^[4]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jul. 29, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXVHX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.45%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.03%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.03%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.48%

^[28]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.48%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

49

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

154

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

269

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

604

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.45%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.03%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.38%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.83%

^[28]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

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

458

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,020

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

7.39%

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

7.39%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.29%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.68%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.45%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.64%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.99%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.69%

^[28]

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.49%)

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

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Class L

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.02%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.51%

^[4]

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 was28%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 the expense reimbursement is in place for all periods, 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 ($1.27 billion to $11.35 billion as of December 31, 2014) or the Russell MidCap^® Growth Index ($1.64 billion to $29.87 billion as of December 31, 2014) 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. The Sub-Adviser believes that when a company's earnings grow faster than both inflation and the overall economy, the market will eventually reward the company with a higher stock price.

In pursuing its investment objective, the Sub-Adviser has the discretion to purchase securities that do not meet its normal investment criteria, as described above, when it perceives an opportunity for substantial appreciation. These special situations might arise when the Sub-Adviser believes a security could increase in value for a variety of reasons, including a change in management, an extraordinary corporate event, a new product introduction or innovation, or a favorable competitive development.

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. No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.  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.

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	18.93%
Worst Quarter	December 2008	-25.78%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class share performance data is provided because Institutional Class shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class shares have annual returns for one complete calendar year.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

11.90%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.94%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

9.43%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Russell Midcap® Growth Index Since Inception

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Russell Midcap® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

11.90%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

19.78%

^[20]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Aug. 12, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.77%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

16.54%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

9.71%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | S&P MidCap 400® Index Since Inception

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

S&P MidCap 400® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.77%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

19.34%

^[20]

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Aug. 12, 2011

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXYKX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.03%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.03%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.68%

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

^[29]

Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.68%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

69

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

218

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

379

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

847

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.03%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.38%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.03%

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

^[29]

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

1,257

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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

12.78%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

18.93%

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

12.78%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

17.00%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

10.43%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.65%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Component2 Other Expenses

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.54%

^[2]

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.79%

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.49%)

^[29]

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

12.49%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

19.58%

^[20]

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 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 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 Fund may also enter into various other transactions involving derivatives, including interest rate/bond futures and interest rate swap agreements. These derivative positions may be used for hedging purposes, to enhance returns, or to obtain net long or net negative (short) exposures to selected currencies, interest rates, countries or durations.

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.

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 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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

	Quarter Ended	Total Return
Best Quarter	March 2008	8.12%
Worst Quarter	September 2011	-7.99%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund | Citigroup World Government Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Citigroup World Government Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.48%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.67%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

3.08%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXZMX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.95%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

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 Templeton Global Bond Fund | Initial Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXGBX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.95%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

0.15%

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

0.15%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

4.75%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.08%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West Templeton Global Bond 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 38%of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

38.00%

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.

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 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 government or mortgage-related securities) 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 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 two broad-based securities market indices and a Composite Index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Composite Index reflects an 80% weighting to the Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index and a 20% weighting to the Barclays U.S. Government Index. No Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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 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 Institutional Class or Class L share performance data is provided because Institutional Class and Class L shares have not commenced operations.  Institutional Class or Class L share performance will appear in a future version of this Prospectus after Institutional Class or 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.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	3.53%
Worst Quarter	June 2013	-2.04%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2014

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Composite Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.85%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.73%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.66%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.08%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.73%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.75%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Barclays U.S. Government Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Barclays U.S. Government Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.92%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.70%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.29%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities Fund | Institutional Class

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

MXDQX

Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

none

Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

26

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

80

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

318

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | 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

0.25%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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 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%)

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

5.45%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 01, 2008

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

3.53%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2013

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(2.04%)

Label

rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Initial Class

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.45%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.55%

10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

4.31%

GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC | Great-West U.S. Government Mortgage Securities 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%

Component1 Other Expenses

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.35%

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

[1] Since inception on December 20, 2013

[2] Other Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.

[3] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, excluding Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees and Administrative Services Fees. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.

[4] Since inception on July 29, 2011

[5] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations.

[6] 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.

[7] GWCM has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee by 0.35% of the amount the Fund is allocated to a GWL&A Contract. The agreement’s current term ends on April 30, 2016. 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.

[8] GWCM has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee in an amount at least equal to any compensation (including Rule 12b-1 fees) received from registered open-end management investment companies that are not part of the same “group of investment companies” (within the meaning of Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) as the Fund (“Unaffiliated Fund(s)”) by GWCM, or an affiliated person of GWCM, in connection with investment by the Fund in the Unaffiliated Fund. The agreement’s current term ends on April 30, 2016. 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.

[9] Since inception on May 1, 2009

[10] Since inception on April 7, 2011

[11] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class shares because the class has not yet commenced operations

[12] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.

[13] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations

[14] Other expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.

[15] Since inception on April 30, 2013

[16] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, excluding Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees and Administrative Services Fees. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.

[17] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.

[18] GWCM has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee by 0.35% of the amount such Fund is allocated to a GWL&A Contract. The agreement’s current term ends on April 30, 2016. 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.

[19] The Acquired Fund (Underlying Fund) Fees and Expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations

[20] Since inception on August 12, 2011

[21] 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.

[22] 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 the Fund that exceeds 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, 2016. 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 Fund's Other Expenses including such recoupment do not exceed the Expense Limit.

[23] 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).

[24] Since inception on January 31, 2011

[25] Since inception on November 13, 2009

[26] Since inception on October 15, 2012

[27] Other expenses are estimated for Institutional Class and Class L shares because the classes have not yet commenced operations.

[28] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, excluding Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees and Administrative Services Fees. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.

[29] GWCM has contractually agreed to pay expenses that exceed 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, excluding Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees and Administrative Services Fees. These expense reimbursements shall continue in effect indefinitely and will be discontinued only upon termination or amendment of the investment advisory agreement with GWCM.