Businesses Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Discontinued Operations by Business) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operations
Provision for losses on financing receivables	$ 276	$ (632)
Investment Contracts Insurance Losses And Insurance Annuity Benefits	634	642
Other costs and expenses	190	259
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(239)	308
Additional disclosures
Deferred income taxes	(29)	(158)
GE Capital
Operations
Investment Contracts Insurance Losses And Insurance Annuity Benefits	636	671
Other costs and expenses	214	268
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(242)	(308)
Additional disclosures
Deferred income taxes	87	(387)
Discontinued operations
Operations
Revenues and other income (loss)	79	1,292
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes, attributable to the company	(196)	80
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	62	12
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(134)	92
Disposal
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes	(27)	(246)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(78)	(155)
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes	(105)	(400)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ (239)	$ (308)
Discontinued operations | GE Capital Exit Plan [Member]
Operations
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes, attributable to the company			$ (223)	$ (166)	$ 6,472
Discontinued operations | GE Capital
Additional disclosures
Current tax benefit (provision)			(576)	(834)	(925)
Deferred income taxes			(587)	(501)	80
U.S Federal current tax benefit (provision)			$ 560	$ 691	$ 154