Investments (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	$ 880		$ 1,290
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(317)		(467)
Net	563	[1]	823	[1]	578	[1]	491
Fixed maturities - annuity segment [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	729	[2]	1,401	[2]
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(255)	[2]	(490)	[2]
Net	474	[2]	911	[2]
Fixed Maturities - all other [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	361		634
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(133)		(236)
Net	228		398
Equity securities [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	192		161
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(70)		(57)
Net	122		104
Deferred policy acquisition costs - annuity segment [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	(345)		(710)
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	121		247
Net	(224)		(463)
Annuity benefits accumulated [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	(71)		(136)
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	25		48
Net	(46)		(88)
Life, accident and health reserves [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	(8)		(117)
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	3		41
Net	(5)		(76)
Unearned revenue [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pretax	22		57
Deferred Tax and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(8)		(20)
Net	$ 14		$ 37

[1] Includes net unrealized gains of $54 million at December 31, 2013 compared to net unrealized gains of $33 million at December 31, 2012 and net unrealized losses of $16 million at December 31, 2011, related to securities for which only the credit portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings.

[2] Unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments supporting AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated.