Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
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
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(945)	(984)
Service cost for benefits earned	348	278
Interest cost on benefit obligation	616	663
Prior service cost amortization	70	46
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	846	572
Pension plans cost	935	575
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(155)	(148)
Service cost for benefits earned	85	68
Interest cost on benefit obligation	127	126
Prior service cost amortization	1	4
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	69	34
Pension plans cost	127	84
Principal Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(19)	(24)
Service cost for benefits earned	56	47
Interest cost on benefit obligation	129	151
Prior service cost amortization	151	160
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	0	(29)
Pension plans cost	$ 317	$ 305