COST INFORMATION - Rental Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense under operating leases	$ 1,746	$ 1,651	$ 1,335
Operating Segments
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense under operating leases	1,888	1,777	1,504
Operating Segments | GE
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense under operating leases	1,783	1,686	1,397
Operating Segments | GE Capital
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense under operating leases	105	91	107
Eliminations
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense under operating leases	$ (143)	$ (126)	$ (169)