Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (GE Money Japan Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 GE Money Japan [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] JPY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] Upper Limit [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 GE Money Japan [Member] Lower Limit [Member] USD ($)
Financial Information For Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward Date Of Expiration	2017
Other Tax Carryforward, Expiration Dates	2019
Threshold above which claims become company's responsibility			$ 3,000			¥ 258,000
Liability For Reimbursement Of Claims In Excess Of Statutory Interest Rate			561		700
Adverse Incoming Daily Claim Rate Reduction Assumption Sensitivity Test For Liability Calculation							50.00%	20.00%
Sensitivity Analysis Potential Increase (Decrease) To Estimated Contingent Liability							400	75
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	109	197
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(109)	(197)	(51)	(27)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Period Increase (Decrease)			$ 50