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NOTES PAYABLE - Summary of Notes Payable (Detail)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.45% senior notes due August 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.45% senior notes due August 2015
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2010
3.45% senior notes due August 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
USD ($)
Jul. 31, 2012
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
USD ($)
Feb. 29, 2012
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
USD ($)
May 31, 2009
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
4.00% senior notes due February 2022
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
4.00% senior notes due February 2022
USD ($)
Feb. 29, 2012
4.00% senior notes due February 2022
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.625% senior notes due June 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.625% senior notes due June 2023
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
3.625% senior notes due June 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.625% senior notes due November 2024
USD ($)
Nov. 30, 2014
3.625% senior notes due November 2024
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.625% senior notes due November 2024
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
6.90% senior notes due December 2039
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
6.90% senior notes due December 2039
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2009
6.90% senior notes due December 2039
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
6.45% senior notes due August 2040
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
6.45% senior notes due August 2040
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2010
6.45% senior notes due August 2040
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2012
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2012
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2013
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
JPY (¥)
Sep. 30, 2006
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
1.47% yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
1.47% yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
1.47% yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
JPY (¥)
Jul. 31, 2011
1.47% yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2013
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
JPY (¥)
Jul. 31, 2011
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
Variable interest rate yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Variable interest rate yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2013
Variable interest rate yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Variable interest rate yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
JPY (¥)
Jul. 31, 2011
Variable interest rate yen-denominated Samurai notes paid July 2014
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
JPY (¥)
Dec. 31, 2014
Capitalized lease obligations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Capitalized lease obligations
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                                                                                        
Notes payable $ 5,282,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations $ 4,897,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations $ 300,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
$ 300,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
  $ 653,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
[1] $ 655,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
[1]     $ 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesEightPointFiveZeroPercentDueMayTwentyNineteenMember
$ 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesEightPointFiveZeroPercentDueMayTwentyNineteenMember
  $ 350,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
[2] $ 349,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
[2]   $ 700,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
$ 700,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
  $ 749,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueNovemberTwentyTwentyFourMember
[2]   $ 0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueNovemberTwentyTwentyFourMember
$ 397,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointNineZeroPercentDueDecemberTwentyThirtyNineMember
[2] $ 396,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointNineZeroPercentDueDecemberTwentyThirtyNineMember
[2]   $ 448,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFortyMember
[2] $ 448,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFortyMember
[2]   $ 500,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
$ 500,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
    $ 66,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
  $ 76,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
    $ 0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointFourSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
$ 272,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointFourSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
    $ 131,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
  $ 150,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
    $ 0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
  $ 52,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
    $ 83,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
  $ 95,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
  $ 41,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
  $ 48,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
  $ 14,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
$ 6,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
Notes payable, principal amount         $ 300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
$ 400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
  $ 250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
$ 400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
    $ 850,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesEightPointFiveZeroPercentDueMayTwentyNineteenMember
$ 350,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
  $ 350,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
$ 700,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
  $ 700,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
$ 750,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueNovemberTwentyTwentyFourMember
$ 750,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueNovemberTwentyTwentyFourMember
      $ 400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointNineZeroPercentDueDecemberTwentyThirtyNineMember
    $ 450,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFortyMember
$ 500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
  $ 50,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
$ 450,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
  ¥ 8,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
  ¥ 8,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
¥ 10,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
    ¥ 28,700,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointFourSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
¥ 28,700,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointFourSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
  ¥ 15,800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
  ¥ 15,800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
¥ 15,800,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
  ¥ 5,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
  ¥ 5,500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
¥ 5,500,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
  ¥ 10,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
  ¥ 10,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
  ¥ 5,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
  ¥ 5,000,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
   
Notes payable, interest rate     3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
  2.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
2.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
2.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
2.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesTwoPointSixFivePercentDueFebruaryTwentySeventeenMember
8.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesEightPointFiveZeroPercentDueMayTwentyNineteenMember
8.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesEightPointFiveZeroPercentDueMayTwentyNineteenMember
  4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesFourPointZeroZeroPercentDueFebruaryTwentyTwentyTwoMember
3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueJuneTwentyTwentyThreeMember
3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueNovemberTwentyTwentyFourMember
3.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesThreePointSixTwoFivePercentDueNovemberTwentyTwentyFourMember
  6.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointNineZeroPercentDueDecemberTwentyThirtyNineMember
6.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointNineZeroPercentDueDecemberTwentyThirtyNineMember
  6.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFortyMember
6.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SeniorNotesSixPointFourFivePercentDueAugustTwentyFortyMember
  5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_SubordinatedNotesFivePointFiveZeroPercentDueSeptemberTwentyFiftyTwoMember
2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedUridashiNotesTwoPointTwoSixPercentDueSeptemberTwentySixteenMember
    1.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointFourSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
1.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointFourSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
  1.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
1.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
1.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
1.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
1.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesOnePointEightFourPercentDueJulyTwentySixteenMember
    1.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
1.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedSamuraiNotesVariableInterestRateDueJulyTwentyFourteenMember
  3.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
3.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
3.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
3.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointSixZeroPercentDueJulyTwentyFifteenMember
3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= afl_YenDenominatedLoanThreePointZeroZeroPercentDueAugustTwentyFifteenMember
   
[1] Principal amount plus an issuance premium that is being amortized over the life of the notes
[2] Principal amount net of an issuance discount that is being amortized over the life of the notes