POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS - Pension Benefits (Details) participant in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) plan participant
Principal pension plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of pension plans | plan	2
Other pension plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of retirees and beneficiaries covered	63
Number of vested former employees	76
Number of active employees	40
Number of U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans | plan	51
Assets or obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans (greater than) | $	$ 50
GE Pension Plan | Principal pension plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of retirees and beneficiaries covered	240
Number of vested former employees	150
Number of active employees	49