Businesses Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ (105)	$ (629)	$ (954)	$ (11,253)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	2,915		2,915		$ 20,395
Financing receivables - net	1,344		1,344		3,205
Assets of discontinued operations	30,930		30,930		120,951
Liabilities
Liabilities of discontinued operations	9,782		9,782		46,487
Additional information abstract
Other Liabilities	23,190		23,190		23,611
Guarantees [Member]
Additional information abstract
Other Commitment	1,556		1,556
Other Liabilities	171		171
Credit support	92		92
Discontinued operations
Operations
Total revenues and other income (loss)	633	6,483	2,494	18,772
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes, attributable to the company	6	2,267	(154)	(476)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	278	(650)	460	(208)
Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes	284	1,617	306	(684)
Disposal
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes	(50)	(2,616)	(591)	(9,652)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(339)	1,629	(670)	(916)
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes	(389)	(987)	(1,261)	(10,568)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(105)	629	(954)	(11,253)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	2,915		2,915		20,395
Investment securities	5,096		5,096		8,478
Financing receivables - net	1,344		1,344		3,205
Other receivables	949		949		1,221
Property, plant and equipment - net	598		598		7,537
Goodwill	391		391		7,764
Other Intangible Assets - Net	35		35		80
Deferred income taxes	1,746		1,746		2,447
Financing receivables held for sale	16,666		16,666		69,847
Valuation allowance on disposal group	(1,859)		(1,859)		(6,374)
Other	3,050		3,050		6,350
Assets of discontinued operations	30,930		30,930		120,951
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	201		201		739
Accounts payable	664		664		2,870
Non-recourse borrowings	877		877		3,994
Bank deposits	4,153		4,153		25,613
Long-term borrowings	583		583		730
All other liabilities	2,580		2,580		11,053
Deferred income taxes	675		675		1,437
Other	49		49		52
Liabilities of discontinued operations	9,782		9,782		$ 46,487
Discontinued operations | GE Capital Exit Plan
Operations
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes, attributable to the company	$ (43)	$ (438)	$ (746)	$ (10,398)