INVESTMENTS - Information Regarding Pretax Net Gains and Losses From Investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)	$ 555	$ 564	$ 678	$ 686
Credit losses:
Fixed maturity securities held to maturity	0	0	1	0
Commercial mortgage and other loans	(2)	(12)	(33)	4
Impairment losses	0	(17)	0	(17)
Loan commitments	1	(5)	4	2
Reinsurance recoverables and other	0	0	(3)	2
Total credit losses	(1)	(34)	(31)	(9)
Derivatives and other:
Derivative gains (losses)	(594)	(558)	(577)	(1,024)
Foreign currency gains (losses)	1,135	1,176	1,217	1,809
Derivatives and other
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)	541	618	640	785
Fixed maturity securities
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Gross gains from sales	7	15	8	85
Gross losses from sales	(6)	(23)	(9)	(26)
Foreign currency gains (losses)	26	123	85	133
Net investment gains (losses)	24	115	81	201
Other investments
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Gross gains (losses) from sales	(3)	0	(3)	9
Equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)	$ (9)	$ (135)	$ (12)	$ (291)

Foreign currency translation gains (losses) on remeasurement of monetary assets

No definition available.

Name:	afl_Foreigncurrencytranslationgainslossesonremeasurementofmonetaryassets
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total Credit Losses, Period Increase (Decrease)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	afl_TotalCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	afl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized gain on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedGain
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in allowance for credit loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityAllowanceForCreditLossPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(b)(7)(c))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(b)(9)(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in allowance for credit loss on financing receivable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-13

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481962/310-10-50-11B

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transaction.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 830
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480167/946-830-55-10

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483581/946-220-45-6

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07(7)(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483575/946-220-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481956/830-20-45-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481926/830-20-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount by which the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8A
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481830/320-10-45-8A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for expected credit loss for off-balance sheet credit exposure. Excludes off-balance sheet credit exposure accounted for as insurance and instrument accounted for under derivatives and hedging.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-13

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OffBalanceSheetCreditLossLiabilityCreditLossExpenseReversal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for expected credit loss on reinsurance recoverable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverableCreditLossExpenseReversal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(7)(c))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(9)(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsIncludingMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestmentsHeldAtCostIncomeStatementReportedAmountsSummaryLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=afl_DerivativesAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: