Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 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		$ 50
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(946)	(985)	(1,891)	(1,969)
Service cost for benefits earned	340	283	688	561
Interest cost on benefit obligation	623	667	1,239	1,330
Prior service cost amortization	70	49	140	95
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	864	596	1,710	1,168
Pension plans cost	951	610	1,886	1,185
Other Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(157)	(152)	(312)	(300)
Service cost for benefits earned	109	72	194	140
Interest cost on benefit obligation	130	130	257	256
Prior service cost amortization	1	4	2	8
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	71	35	140	69
Pension plans cost	154	89	281	173
Principal Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(18)	(24)	(37)	(48)
Service cost for benefits earned	54	45	110	92
Interest cost on benefit obligation	129	150	258	301
Prior service cost amortization	141	159	292	319
Net actuarial (gain) loss amortization	0	(27)	0	(56)
Pension plans cost	$ 306	$ 303	$ 623	$ 608