Shareowners' Equity (Reclass Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (463)	$ (348)	$ (1,172)	$ (1,166)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,509	3,181	10,006	9,991
Costs and Expenses	(32,259)	(32,041)	(95,435)	(94,171)
Financial Services Revenue	10,026	10,146	29,955	31,740
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,357)	(2,445)	(7,116)	(7,648)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	3,915	3,620	11,150	11,492
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(942)	(710)	(2,187)	(2,355)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Currency Translation Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	1	7	124	85
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	15	56	(25)	156
Costs and Expenses	14	49	(149)	71
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Cash Flow Hedge
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	30	(20)	39	(85)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(384)	5	(557)	(80)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	20	51	(14)	119
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(414)	25	(596)	5
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension Plan, Defined Benefit
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	316	402	870	1,209
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(592)	(756)	(1,639)	(2,278)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(908)	(1,158)	(2,509)	(3,487)
Curtailment loss	(113)	0	(113)	0
Prior service cost amortization	(147)	(168)	(465)	(499)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	(648)	(990)	(1,931)	(2,988)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Available-for-sale Securities
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Other Income	34	(26)	53	(277)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(15)	11	(19)	124
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	19	(15)	34	(153)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Interest Rate Contract | Cash Flow Hedge
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
GE interest and other financial charges	(53)	(88)	(182)	(282)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Foreign Exchange Contract | Cash Flow Hedge
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Financial Services Revenue	(381)	62	(400)	168
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Financial Services Revenue	(357)	73	(368)	210
GE interest and other financial charges	(24)	(11)	(32)	(42)
GECC
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(47)	(3)	(29)	(100)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,604	1,822	5,398	5,469
Costs and Expenses	(8,857)	(8,690)	(25,819)	(27,087)
Financial Services Revenue	10,423	10,573	31,124	32,900
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,093)	(2,224)	(6,325)	(6,994)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$ 1,594	$ 1,916	$ 5,394	$ 5,903