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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]      
Common stock, voting rights are generally entitled to one vote per share until they have been held by the same beneficial owner for a continuous period of 48 months, at which time they become entitled to 10 votes per share.    
Voting rights, votes per share 1afl_CommonStockVotesPerShare    
Remaining common stock available for purchase under share repurchase authorizations 29.6us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased    
The expected U.S. tax rate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate  
Share repurchase program      
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]      
Common stock, share repurchase 19.7afl_TreasuryStockSharesAcquiredInOpenMarket
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= afl_ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
13.2afl_TreasuryStockSharesAcquiredInOpenMarket
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= afl_ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
1.9afl_TreasuryStockSharesAcquiredInOpenMarket
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= afl_ShareRepurchaseProgramMember
Share Held For Continuous Forty Eight Month Period      
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]      
Voting rights, votes per share 10afl_CommonStockVotesPerShare
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= afl_ShareHeldForContinuousFortyEightMonthPeriodMember