Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (Summarized financial information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010
Assets
Cash and equivalents	$ 91,053	$ 78,943	$ 72,063
Current receivables	18,634	18,621
Financing receivables - net	292,917	303,012
Property, plant and equipment - net	68,846	66,212
Goodwill	70,536	64,388
Other intangible assets - net	11,798	9,971
All other assets	109,499	96,342
Assets of businesses held for sale	895	36,887
Liabilities [Abstract]
Short-term borrowings	123,489	117,959
Accounts payable	15,765	14,656
Other GE current liabilities	16,722	12,959
Long-term borrowings	277,855	293,323
All other liabilities	61,947	58,699
Liabilities of businesses held for sale	527	16,047
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Assets
Cash and equivalents	149	63
Current receivables	0	2,572
Financing receivables - net	576	1,917
Property, plant and equipment - net	100	2,185
Goodwill	0	19,606
Other intangible assets - net	31	2,844
All other assets	9	7,560
Other	30	140
Assets of businesses held for sale	895	36,887
Liabilities Held For Sale [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Short-term borrowings	399	146
Accounts payable	56	538
Other GE current liabilities	0	3,994
Long-term borrowings	19	10,134
All other liabilities	53	1,235
Liabilities of businesses held for sale	$ 527	$ 16,047