CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Investment securities	Currency translation adjustments	Cash flow hedges	Benefit plans	Other capital	Retained earnings	Common stock held in treasury	Changes in accounting Retained earnings
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ (14,414)					$ 35,504	$ 93,109	$ (83,925)	$ 368
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1,577		$ 98	$ 260	$ 12	$ 1,192
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions							(657)
Stock-based compensation							264
Other changes							(786)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	3,716							3,716
Dividends and other transactions with shareholders								(419)
Purchases									(45)
Dispositions									834
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	56,129	(12,852)		(5,874)	26	(7,063)	34,324	96,773	(83,137)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019		(13,485)					34,345	96,921	(83,328)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)	547		75	(64)	(23)	645
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions							(150)
Stock-based compensation							124
Other changes							6
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	127							127
Dividends and other transactions with shareholders								(274)
Purchases									(7)
Dispositions									198
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	56,129	(12,852)		(5,874)	26	(7,063)	34,324	96,773	(83,137)
Preferred stock issued	6
Common stock issued	702
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
GE shareholders' equity balance	35,816
Noncontrolling interests balance (Note 15)	20,312
Preferred stock issued	6
Common stock issued	702
GE shareholders' equity balance	28,316
Noncontrolling interests balance (Note 15)	1,545
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	29,861	(11,732)					34,405	87,732	(82,797)	(175)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,545		(14)	75	(158)	1,636
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions							(412)
Stock-based compensation							216
Other changes							83
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	4,212							4,212
Dividends and other transactions with shareholders								(581)
Purchases									(22)
Dispositions									498
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	35,254	(10,194)	47	(4,743)	(109)	(5,387)	34,292	91,188	(82,320)
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020		(10,819)					34,296	93,615	(82,516)	$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)	627		27	(58)	53	604
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions							(163)
Stock-based compensation							111
Other changes							48
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	(1,987)							(1,987)
Dividends and other transactions with shareholders								(439)
Purchases									(8)
Dispositions									204
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	35,254	$ (10,194)	$ 47	$ (4,743)	$ (109)	$ (5,387)	$ 34,292	$ 91,188	$ (82,320)
Preferred stock issued	6
Common stock issued	702
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
GE shareholders' equity balance	33,674
Noncontrolling interests balance (Note 15)	$ 1,579