Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the fair value of perpetual securities which are expected to mature after one year and through five years from the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents perpetual securities, at cost, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any, which are expected to mature after ten years from the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Available for sale Securities, Perpetual Securities, Economic Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the total of all perpetual securities grouped by economic maturity dates, at cost, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the total of all perpetual securities grouped by economic maturity dates, at fair value, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents perpetual securities, at cost, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any, which are expected to mature within one year of the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the fair value of perpetual securities which are expected to mature within one year of the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

Name:	afl_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPerpetualSecuritiesEconomicMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Investments Classified by Economic Maturity Date [Line Items]

No definition available.