BUSINESSES HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Schedule of Financial Information for Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ (106)	$ (105)	$ (490)	$ (954)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	496	2,915	496	2,915
Assets	6,791		6,791		$ 14,815
Liabilities
Liabilities	990		990		4,158
Discontinued operations
Operations
Total revenues and other income (loss)	35	633	123	2,494
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	(191)	6	(603)	(154)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	71	278	198	460
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(120)	284	(404)	306
Disposal
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes	22	(50)	3	(591)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(8)	(339)	(89)	(670)
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes	14	(389)	(86)	(1,261)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(106)	(105)	(490)	(954)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the Company, before income taxes	(168)	(43)	(606)	(746)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	496		496		1,429
Investment securities	1,131		1,131		2,626
Deferred income taxes	969		969		487
Financing receivables held for sale	3,631		3,631		8,547
Other assets	564		564		1,727
Assets	6,791		6,791		14,815
Liabilities
Accounts payable	51		51		164
Borrowings	0		0		2,076
Other liabilities	939		939		1,918
Liabilities	990		990		4,158
GE Capital
Disposal
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(106)	(105)	(494)	(954)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	496	2,915	496	2,915
Assets	6,791		6,791		14,806
Liabilities
Liabilities	966		966		$ 4,123
GE Capital | Discontinued operations
Disposal
Current tax benefit (provision)	(63)	726	(386)	(154)
Deferred tax benefit (provision)	126	(787)	495	(56)
GE Capital | Discontinued operations | U.S. Federal
Disposal
Current tax benefit (provision)	$ 1	$ 678	$ (518)	$ 207