Shareowners' Equity (Noncontrolling Interests) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Preferred stock value (5,944,250 shares outstanding at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015)		$ 6		$ 4,949		$ 6		$ 4,949	$ 6	$ 5,944	$ 5,000
Changes To Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance		1,667	[1]	8,738	[1]	1,864	[1]	8,674
Net earnings (loss)		1		223		(68)		192
GECC preferred stock		0		(161)		0		(161)
Dividends		(14)		(16)		(21)		(18)
Dispositions		0		(6)		(42)		(6)
AOCI and other		39		(2)		(40)		95
Ending balance	[1]	$ 1,693		$ 8,776		1,693		$ 8,776
GEAM
Changes To Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI and other						$ (123)

[1] (c) Included AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interests of $(259) mi llion and $(264) million at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively.