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INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Applicable to Pretax Earnings (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Current									$ 1,079us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	$ 1,236us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	$ 816us-gaap_CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Deferred									461us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	422us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	620us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Total income tax expense	372us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	368us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	428us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	372us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	353us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	367us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	469us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	469us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1,540us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1,658us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1,436us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Aflac U.S.
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Current									84	302	303
Deferred									336	123	(330)
Total income tax expense									420	425	(27)
Aflac Japan
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Current									995	934	513
Deferred									125	299	950
Total income tax expense									$ 1,120	$ 1,233	$ 1,463

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.

Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.