Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Years of service generally required of employees to receive health and life insurance benefits who retire under the GE Pension Plan's	10
Disclosure of other pension plans includes pension plans with pension assets or obligations in excess of threshold amount	$ 50		$ 50
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(985)	(1,084)	(1,969)	(2,170)
Service cost for benefits earned	283	277	561	569
Interest cost on benefit obligation	667	667	1,330	1,342
Prior service cost amortization	49	59	95	119
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	596	329	1,168	662
Pension plans cost	610	248	1,185	522
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(152)	(124)	(300)	(254)
Service cost for benefits earned	72	62	140	144
Interest cost on benefit obligation	130	120	256	244
Prior service cost amortization	4	4	8	8
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	35	52	69	111
Pension plans cost	89	114	173	253
Principal Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(24)	(29)	(48)	(58)
Service cost for benefits earned	45	54	92	112
Interest cost on benefit obligation	150	175	301	350
Prior service cost amortization	159	158	319	316
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	(27)	(6)	(56)	(12)
Pension plans cost	$ 303	$ 352	$ 608	$ 708