XML 296 R106.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Postretirement Benefit Plans (Plan Assets) (Details) (Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Benefit Plan [Member] | Principal pension plans [Member]    
Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Abstract]    
Beginning Balance $ 48,297us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 44,738us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actual gain (loss) on plan assets 2,793us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
6,312us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Employer contributions 236us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
225us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Participant contributions 153us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
156us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Benefits paid (3,199)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(3,134)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Acquisitions (dispositions)-net 0ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAcquisitionsAndDispositionsNet
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAcquisitionsAndDispositionsNet
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Exchange rate adjustments 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesBenefitObligation
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesBenefitObligation
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Ending Balance 48,280us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
48,297us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Pension Benefit Plan [Member] | Other Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]    
Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Abstract]    
Beginning Balance 11,059us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
9,702us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actual gain (loss) on plan assets 1,537us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,212us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Employer contributions 726us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
673us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Participant contributions 9us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
14us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Benefits paid (493)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(477)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Acquisitions (dispositions)-net 0ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAcquisitionsAndDispositionsNet
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(31)ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAcquisitionsAndDispositionsNet
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Exchange rate adjustments (452)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesBenefitObligation
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(34)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesBenefitObligation
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Ending Balance 12,386us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
11,059us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_PensionBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Retiree Benefit Plan [Member]    
Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Abstract]    
Beginning Balance 903us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
946us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
Actual gain (loss) on plan assets 44us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
118us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
Employer contributions 518us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
533us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
Participant contributions 52us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
52us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
Benefits paid (704)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
(746)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
Ending Balance $ 813us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember
$ 903us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ ge_BenefitPlanCategoryAxis
= ge_RetireeBenefitPlanMember
/ ge_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetAxis
= ge_FairValueOfPlanAssetsMember