EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Diluted
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 973	$ 292
Preferred stock dividends	(40)	(37)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	933	255
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	2,568	(1,448)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 3,519	$ (1,189)
Shares of GE common stock outstanding (in shares)	8,711	8,683
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) (in shares)	15	13
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)	8,726	8,696
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.03
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.29	(0.17)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ (0.14)
Basic
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ 991	$ 293
Preferred stock dividends	(40)	(37)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	951	256
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	2,586	(1,447)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ 3,537	$ (1,189)
Shares of GE common stock outstanding (in shares)	8,711	8,683
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) (in shares)	0	0
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)	8,711	8,683
Earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.03
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.30	(0.17)
Net earnings (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.41	$ (0.14)
Outstanding stock awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	471	395