All Other Assets (Parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
NBCU LLC [Member]
Other Assets
Equity Method Investments		$ 18,887
Subsidiaries [Member]
Other Assets
Amount Of Liability Net Against Contract Costs And Estimated Earnings	1,842	1,498
Subsidiaries [Member] | NBCU LLC [Member]
Other Assets
Equity Method Investments		18,887
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net		4,937
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Other Assets
Intercompany loans long term invesments and receivables, net		0
Valuation allowances	127	200
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	700	764
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Continuous Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months [Member]
Other Assets
Fair value on cost method investments in a continuous loss position		37
Cost Method Investments Fair Value Insignificant Amount Disclosure	an insignificant amount
Unrealized loss on cost method investments in a continuous loss position	17	142
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Continuous Loss Position More Than Twelve Months [Member]
Other Assets
Fair value on cost method investments in a continuous loss position		$ 2
Cost Method Investments Fair Value Insignificant Amount Disclosure	an insignificant amount
Insignificant Amount Of Unrealized Gain Loss On Marketable Securities Cost Method Investments And Other Investments	an insignificant amount	an insignificant amount
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Americas [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	41.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Europe [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	35.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Asia [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	24.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Office Building [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	52.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Apartment Building [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	14.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Industrial Properties [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	7.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Retail Facilities [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	9.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Franchise Properties [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	3.00%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Other Properties [Member]
Other Assets
Category of real estate investments	15.00%