EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Diluted
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ (1,109)	$ (1,283)	$ 3,264	$ (438)
Preferred stock dividends	(46)	(42)	(280)	(270)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(6)	0	(141)	0
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	(1,161)	(1,325)	2,843	(708)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(35)	(8,140)	(203)	(5,270)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ (1,196)	$ (9,465)	$ 2,639	$ (5,977)
Employee compensation-related shares (including stock options) (in shares)	0	0	6	0
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)	8,756	8,730	8,755	8,721
Earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.32	$ (0.08)
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(0.93)	(0.02)	(0.60)
Net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.14)	$ (1.08)	$ 0.30	$ (0.69)
Potentially dilutive securities	486	453	454	462
Basic
Earnings from continuing operations for per-share calculation	$ (1,109)	$ (1,283)	$ 3,264	$ (438)
Preferred stock dividends	(46)	(42)	(280)	(270)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(6)	0	(141)	0
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareowners for per-share calculation	(1,161)	(1,325)	2,843	(708)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for per-share calculation	(35)	(8,140)	(203)	(5,270)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to GE common shareowners for per-share calculation	$ (1,196)	$ (9,465)	$ 2,639	$ (5,977)
Total average equivalent shares (in shares)	8,756	8,730	8,749	8,721
Earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.32	$ (0.08)
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(0.93)	(0.02)	(0.60)
Net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.14)	$ (1.08)	$ 0.30	$ (0.69)