Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (Discontinued Operations Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Operations
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (506)	$ (665)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total	(109)	(197)
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(109)	(197)
Assets
All other assets	77,948		100,061
Assets of discontinued operations	1,865		2,308
Liabilities
All other liabilities	68,404		68,588
Liabilities of discontinued operations	2,376		2,451
GECC Disc Ops [Member]
Liabilities
Other	2,023		0
Discontinued Operation Or Asset Disposal Component [Member]
Operations
Total revenues	(13)	101
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(128)	(66)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	121	34
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total	(7)	(32)
Disposal
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes	(187)	(194)
Benefit for income taxes	85	29
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes	(102)	(165)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(109)	(197)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	103		102
Property, plant and equipment - net	520		699
Other	1,242		1,507
Assets of discontinued operations	1,865		2,308
Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	372		372
Other	2,004		2,079
Liabilities of discontinued operations	$ 2,376		$ 2,451