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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Assets and Liabilities Carried at Cost or Amortized Cost (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost $ 34,262us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities $ 34,242us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 38,102us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue 38,497us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
Liabilities    
Other policyholder funds 6,139us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds 6,031us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure 6,005afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure 5,905afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
Notes Payable 6,268us-gaap_NotesPayable 5,268us-gaap_NotesPayable
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 6,924us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure 5,835us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
Total Financial Instrument Liabilities Not Carried At Fair Value 12,407afl_TotalFinancialInstrumentLiabilitiesNotCarriedAtFairValue 11,299afl_TotalFinancialInstrumentLiabilitiesNotCarriedAtFairValue
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost 12,929afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost 11,740afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 34,262us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
34,242us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 38,102us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
38,497us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Japan government and agencies | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 20,084us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
20,023us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 22,975us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
23,218us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 346us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
346us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 412us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
417us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 42us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
43us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 44us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
46us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Public Utilities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 3,269us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
3,342us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 3,503us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
3,603us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 2,564us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
2,556us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 2,791us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
2,814us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Banks/financial Institutions | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 4,947us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
4,932us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 5,054us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
5,085us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost 3,010us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
3,000us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 3,323us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
3,314us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1    
Liabilities    
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure 0afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost 0afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
0afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 22,975us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
23,218us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Japan government and agencies | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 22,975us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
23,218us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Municipalities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Public Utilities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Banks/financial Institutions | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 1 | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2    
Liabilities    
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure 0afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
0afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 0us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
0us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost 0afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
0afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 15,097us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
15,248us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Japan government and agencies | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Municipalities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 412us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
417us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 14us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
15us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Public Utilities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 3,503us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
3,603us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PublicUtilityBondsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 2,791us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
2,814us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SovereignDebtMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Banks/financial Institutions | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 5,054us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
5,085us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= afl_BanksAndFinancialInstitutionsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 2 | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 3,323us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
3,314us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Level 3    
Liabilities    
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure 6,005afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
5,905afl_OtherPolicyholdersFundsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 6,924us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
5,835us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost 12,929afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
11,740afl_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 30us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
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Level 3 | Japan government and agencies | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
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Level 3 | Municipalities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
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Level 3 | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 30us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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Level 3 | Public Utilities | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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Level 3 | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
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Level 3 | Banks/financial Institutions | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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Level 3 | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities    
Assets:    
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value $ 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
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