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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments Gain (Loss) Summary (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period $ (1,455)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax $ (1,588)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax $ (287)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
Derivative and other gains (losses) 31us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax 326us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax 151us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Derivative and non-derivative hedging instruments gain loss recognized in other comprehensive income effective portion before tax 108afl_Derivativeandnonderivativehedginginstrumentsgainlossrecognizedinothercomprehensiveincomeeffectiveportionbeforetax [1] 69afl_Derivativeandnonderivativehedginginstrumentsgainlossrecognizedinothercomprehensiveincomeeffectiveportionbeforetax [1] 74afl_Derivativeandnonderivativehedginginstrumentsgainlossrecognizedinothercomprehensiveincomeeffectiveportionbeforetax [1]
Cash flow hedges      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) (2)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) (17)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1]
Fair value hedges      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) (21)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Net investment hedge      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period 125us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1] 79us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1] 96us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net 54us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Foreign currency swaps | Cash flow hedges      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) (2)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) (17)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Foreign currency swaps | Net investment hedge      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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Foreign currency swaps | Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net 151us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Interest rate swaps | Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net (1)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Foreign currency forwards | Fair value hedges      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) (16)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1],[2]
Foreign currency forwards | Net investment hedge      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period 89us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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Foreign currency forwards | Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net (11)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Interest rate swaptions | Fair value hedges      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Interest rate swaptions | Non-qualifying strategies      
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(29)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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[1]
Non-derivative hedging instruments | Net investment hedge      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period 39us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1] 155us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1] 96us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1]
Foreign currency options | Fair value hedges      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) (3)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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[2] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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[2] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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[2]
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1],[2] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1],[2] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1],[2]
Foreign currency options | Net investment hedge      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period (3)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1] 4us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1] 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
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[1]
Foreign currency options | Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net 0us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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11us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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0us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1]
Credit default swaps | Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net 3us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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31us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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64us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1]
Futures | Non-qualifying strategies      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Derivative Instrument, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net (89)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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(5)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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0us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
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Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) $ 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1] $ 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1] $ 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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[1]
[1] Cash flow hedge items are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and net investment hedge items are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).
[2] Impact shown net of effect of hedged items (see Fair Value Hedges section of this Note 4 for further detail)