Investment Securities (Gross Realized Gain Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Available For Sale Investment Securities Gross Realized Gain Losses [Line Items]
Total	$ (228)	$ (32)
Subsidiaries [Member]
Available For Sale Investment Securities Gross Realized Gain Losses [Line Items]
Gains	1	0
Losses, including impairments	(13)	0
Total	(12)	0
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Available For Sale Investment Securities Gross Realized Gain Losses [Line Items]
Gains	62	38
Losses, including impairments	(278)	(70)
Total	$ (216)	$ (32)

This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration