Securities Lending (Detail) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Security loans outstanding, fair value	$ 328	$ 186
Cash collateral on loaned securities	$ 338	$ 191

Name:

afl_ObligationToReturnCashOrSecuritiesReceivedAsCollateral

Namespace Prefix:

afl

Data Type:

xbrli:monetaryItemType

Balance Type:

credit

Period Type:

instant