EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Diluted
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 1,935	$ 2,127	$ 4,336	$ 6,110
Preferred stock dividends	(36)	(33)	(252)	(474)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	1,899	2,094	4,084	5,636
Loss from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(109)	(100)	(507)	(956)
Net earnings attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 1,794	$ 1,991	$ 3,588	$ 4,680
Shares of GE common stock outstanding	8,665	8,904	8,689	9,096
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options)	67	112	85	105
Total average equivalent shares	8,732	9,016	8,774	9,201
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.23	$ 0.47	$ 0.61
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.06)	(0.10)
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.22	$ 0.41	$ 0.51
Basic
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 1,935	$ 2,127	$ 4,336	$ 6,110
Preferred stock dividends	(36)	(33)	(252)	(474)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	1,899	2,094	4,084	5,636
Loss from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(109)	(100)	(507)	(956)
Net earnings attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 1,794	$ 1,991	$ 3,587	$ 4,680
Shares of GE common stock outstanding	8,665	8,904	8,689	9,096
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options)	0	0	0	0
Total average equivalent shares	8,665	8,904	8,689	9,096
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ 0.47	$ 0.62
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.06)	(0.11)
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.22	$ 0.41	$ 0.51
Outstanding stock awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	82	15	48	24