EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Diluted
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 1,514	$ 3,446	$ 2,401	$ 3,981
Preferred stock dividends	(182)	(152)	(216)	(441)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	1,332	3,294	2,185	3,540
Loss from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(157)	(546)	(399)	(861)
Net earnings attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 1,179	$ 2,751	$ 1,793	$ 2,687
Shares of GE common stock outstanding	8,671	9,079	8,695	9,179
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options)	89	108	94	101
Total average equivalent shares	8,760	9,187	8,789	9,281
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.36	$ 0.25	$ 0.38
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	(0.06)	(0.05)	(0.09)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.30	$ 0.20	$ 0.29
Basic
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 1,514	$ 3,449	$ 2,400	$ 3,983
Preferred stock dividends	(182)	(152)	(216)	(441)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	1,332	3,297	2,184	3,542
Loss from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(157)	(543)	(400)	(858)
Net earnings attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 1,179	$ 2,753	$ 1,793	$ 2,690
Shares of GE common stock outstanding	8,671	9,079	8,695	9,179
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options)	0	0	0	0
Total average equivalent shares	8,671	9,079	8,695	9,179
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.36	$ 0.25	$ 0.39
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	(0.06)	(0.05)	(0.09)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.30	$ 0.21	$ 0.29
Outstanding stock awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	33	25	26	28