SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Detail)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2011 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2012 Treasury Stock	Mar. 31, 2011 Treasury Stock
Common Stock Issued [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		664,437,000	663,639,000	663,639,000	662,660,000
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares				798,000	670,000
Balance, end of period		664,437,000	663,639,000	664,437,000	663,330,000
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period						197,329,000	192,999,000
Open market	3,100,000					0	3,100,000
Other						199,000	151,000
Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan						(381,000)	(325,000)
Exercise of stock options						(39,000)	(81,000)
Other						(134,000)	(78,000)
Balance, end of period						196,974,000	195,766,000
Shares outstanding, end of period	467,564,000	467,463,000