Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	$ 82,662	$ 95,940
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	223,001	224,776
Non Recourse Borrowings Of Consolidated Securitization Entities	30,488	30,123
Bank deposits (Note 6)	49,427	46,461
Total borrowings and bank deposits	385,578	397,300
US Commercial Paper [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	30,727	33,686
Non US Commercial Paper [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	8,323	9,370
Current Portion Of Long Term Borrowings [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	34,715	44,264
Non Recourse Borrowings Of Consolidated Securitization Entities	9,091	7,707
GE Interest Plus notes [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	8,580	8,189
Other Short Term Borrowing [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings (Note 6)	317	431
Senior unsecured notes [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	197,946	199,646
Subordinated notes [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	4,839	4,965
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	7,183	7,286
Other Long Term Borrowing [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings (Note 6)	13,033	12,879
Long-term Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Non Recourse Borrowings Of Consolidated Securitization Entities	$ 21,397	$ 22,416