2.4.0.8401301 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities (Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities) (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$AS_OF_Jun30_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000040554instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$AS_OF_Dec31_2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000040554instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse02false 4us-gaap_NotesReceivableNetus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse257092000000257092USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse268951000000268951USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 false23false 4us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse220007000000220007USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse224776000000224776USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section H false24false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3false USDtruefalse$AS_OF_Jun30_2013_gecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_UnconsolidatedViesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000040554instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUnconsolidated VIEs [Member]gecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldigecc_UnconsolidatedViesMembergecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse05true 3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse06false 4us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse25100000002510USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of real estate investments, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; (7) other real estate investments; (8) real estate joint ventures; and (9) unconsolidated real estate and other joint ventures not separately presented.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph d -Article 7 false27false 4gecc_DebtInvestmentFundgecc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse56460000005646USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryExposure related to an investment in a corporate debt fund that is classified as a unconsolidated variable interest entity.No definition available.false28false 4gecc_FactoredReceivablesgecc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse22370000002237USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryExposure related to an investment in a joint venture, which is classified as a unconsolidated variable interest entity, that purchases factored receivables.No definition available.false29false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4false USDtruefalse$AS_OF_Jun30_2013_gecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_PtlMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000040554instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePTL [Member]gecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldigecc_PtlMembergecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse010true 3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse011false 4us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse813000000813USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 false212false 4us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse700000000700USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section H false213false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5false USDtruefalse$AS_OF_Jun30_2013_gecc_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntitiesAxis_InvestmentInUnconsolidatedViesMember_gecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_TotalMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000040554instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseTotal [Member]gecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldigecc_TotalMembergecc_UnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseInvestment in Unconsolidated VIEs [Member]gecc_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntitiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldigecc_InvestmentInUnconsolidatedViesMembergecc_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntitiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse014true 3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse015false 4gecc_OtherAssetsAndInvestmentSecuritiesgecc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse79940000007994USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1038600000010386USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate carrying amounts, as of the balance sheet date, of other assets and investment securities of unconsolidated variable interest entities.No definition available.false216false 4us-gaap_NotesReceivableNetus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse25950000002595USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse26540000002654USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 false217false 4gecc_VariableInterestEntityCarryingAmountOfAssetsUnconsolidatedViesgecc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotalLabel1truefalsefalse1058900000010589USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1304000000013040USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryInvestments in unconsolidated VIEs consisting of our equity investment, any loans or advances, and investment securities.No definition available.true218false 4gecc_ContractualObligationsToFundNewInvestmentsOrGuaranteesgecc_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse24710000002471USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse26020000002602USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryA contractual obligation that requires payments to be made to fund investments or guarantees. These amounts are included in potential maximum exposure to loss with respect to our investment in the unconsolidated variable interest entity.No definition available.false219false 4gecc_RevolvingLinesOfCreditgecc_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse5800000058USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4100000041USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTotal potential maximum exposure of revolving lines of credit for unconsolidated variable interest entitiesNo definition available.false220false 4gecc_MaximumExposureInUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesgecc_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotalLabel1truefalsefalse1311800000013118USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse1568300000015683USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the reporting entity maximum exposure for unconsolidated variable interest entities.No definition available.true2falseVariable Interest Entities (Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.gecc.com/role/DisclosureVariableInterestEntitiesUnconsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesDetails220