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INVESTMENTS - Details of Holdings of Perpetual Securities (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost $ 60,844us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost $ 59,515us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Fair Value 68,270us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities 61,038us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 7,426us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1 1,523us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 2,440us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
2,987us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 2,669us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
2,947us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 229us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
(40)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Upper Tier II | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 1,554us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
1,920us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 1,645us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
1,913us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 91us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
(7)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Upper Tier II | A | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 61us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_AcreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
145us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_AcreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 87us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_AcreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
183us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_AcreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 26us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_AcreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
38us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_AcreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Upper Tier II | BBB | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 1,330us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
1,563us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 1,333us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
1,532us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 3us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
(31)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Upper Tier II | BB or Lower | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 163us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
212us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 225us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
198us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 62us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
(14)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_UpperTierIIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Tier I | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 703us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
858us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 793us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
825us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 90us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
(33)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Tier I | BBB | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 519us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
746us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 556us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
706us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 37us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
(40)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BbbCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Tier I | BB or Lower | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 184us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
112us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 237us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
119us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) 53us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
7us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_TierIMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Other subordinated - non-banks | BB or Lower | Perpetual securities    
Investment Holdings [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 183us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_OtherSubordinatedSecuritiesNonBanksMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
209us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_OtherSubordinatedSecuritiesNonBanksMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Fair Value 231us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_OtherSubordinatedSecuritiesNonBanksMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
209us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_OtherSubordinatedSecuritiesNonBanksMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
Unrealized Gain (Loss) $ 48us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_OtherSubordinatedSecuritiesNonBanksMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember
$ 0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ afl_CreditRatingAxis
= afl_BBOrLowerCreditRatingMember
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= afl_OtherSubordinatedSecuritiesNonBanksMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= afl_PerpetualSecuritiesMember