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BUSINESS SEGMENT AND FOREIGN INFORMATION - Yen/Dollar Exchange Rates Used (Detail)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
Exchange effect on total assets
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Exchange effect on total assets
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Exchange effect on total liabilities
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Exchange effect on total liabilities
USD ($)
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]                    
Weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rate   105.46afl_WeightedAverageExchangeRate   97.54afl_WeightedAverageExchangeRate   79.81afl_WeightedAverageExchangeRate        
Yen percent strengthening (weakening) (7.50%)afl_IncreaseDecreaseTranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (7.50%)afl_IncreaseDecreaseTranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (18.20%)afl_IncreaseDecreaseTranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (18.20%)afl_IncreaseDecreaseTranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (0.10%)afl_IncreaseDecreaseTranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (0.10%)afl_IncreaseDecreaseTranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening        
Exchange effect on pretax operating earnings (in millions) $ (180)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyIncreaseDecreaseGrossOfTax   $ (534)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyIncreaseDecreaseGrossOfTax   $ 11us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyIncreaseDecreaseGrossOfTax          
Yen/dollar exchange rate at December 31   120.55us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1   105.39us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1            
Yen percent strengthening (weakening) (12.60%)afl_TranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (12.60%)afl_TranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (17.80%)afl_TranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening (17.80%)afl_TranslationAdjustmentPercentStrengtheningWeakening            
Exchange effect             $ (10,706)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AssetsTotalMember
$ (17,836)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AssetsTotalMember
$ (12,025)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_LiabilitiesTotalMember
$ (19,806)us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentFunctionalToReportingCurrencyNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_LiabilitiesTotalMember