Name:	ge_ActuarialAssumptionsAbstract
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The acturial assumption used to measure the year end benefit obligations and the retiree benefit plan costs for the subsequent year related to the initial healthcare trend rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The rate that inital healthcare trend rate is expected to decline to in the future.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ge_RetireeHealthPlanUltimateDecliningInitialHealthcareTrendRate
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The acturial assumption used to measure the year end benefit obligations and the retiree benefit plan costs for the subsequent year related to the discount rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ge_WeightedAverageDiscountRateUsedForDeterminationOfCosts
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money for the plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (k)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Expected rate of compensation increases (for pay-related plans).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (k)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512013

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (k)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net increase or decrease in the plan benefit obligation during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis=ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis=ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Postretirement Benefit Plans (Acturial Assumptions) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefit Plan [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Weighted average discount rate used for determination of costs					7.50%
Pension Benefit Plan [Member] \| Principal pension plans [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.02%	4.85%	3.96%	4.21%
Compensation increases	4.10%	4.00%	3.90%	3.75%
Expected return on assets	7.50%	7.50%	8.00%	8.00%
Pension Benefit Plan [Member] \| Other Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.53%	4.39%	3.92%	4.42%
Compensation increases	3.60%	3.76%	3.30%	4.31%
Expected return on assets	6.95%	6.92%	6.82%	7.09%
Pension Benefit Plan [Member] \| Mortality Assumption [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Benefit Obligation Increase Decrease	3,953
Retiree Benefit Plan [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Weighted average discount rate used for determination of costs	4.47%	3.77%	3.94%		7.00%
Retiree Benefit Plan [Member] \| Principal Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.89%	4.61%	3.74%	4.09%
Compensation increases	4.10%	4.00%	3.90%	3.75%
Expected return on assets	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Initial healthcare trend rate	6.00%	6.00%	6.50%	7.00%
Ultimate declining initial healthcare trend rate	5.00%
Retiree Benefit Plan [Member] \| Mortality Assumption [Member]
Actuarial Assumptions [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Benefit Obligation Increase Decrease	612