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INVESTMENTS - Information Regarding Changes in Unrealized Gains and Losses from Investments (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) $ 5,893afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments $ (2,418)afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments $ 2,157afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
Fixed maturities | Available-for-sale Securities      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) 5,629afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember		 (2,281)afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember		 1,624afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
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/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
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Fixed maturities | Transferred to Held to Maturity Securities      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) (10)afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
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/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
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/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
= afl_TransferredToHeldToMaturitySecuritiesMember
Perpetual securities | Available-for-sale Securities      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) 269afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember		 (129)afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember		 547afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
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= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
/ afl_QuantitativeDisclosuresByEligibleItemOrGroupAxis
= us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Equity securities      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):      
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) $ 5afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember		 $ 1afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember		 $ 0afl_ChangesInUnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember