Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Details 2) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments
Other Commitments	$ 3.3
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| Flight Equipment
Commitments
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	236
Purchase commitment, purchase price	$ 17.6
A380 aircraft
Commitments
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft canceled	10
737-800 aircraft from Boeing
Commitments
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	33
A320 New Engine Option (neo)
Commitments
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	80
A321 neo aircraft
Commitments
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	20

The number of units of flight equipment canceled within the specified time period.

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount the entity has committed to invest in limited partnerships, private equities, hedge funds and mutual funds, and to purchase and develop real estate in the U.S. and abroad.

+ Details

Name:	aig_OtherCommitmentsAmount
Namespace Prefix:	aig
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sets forth the number of units of goods that must be purchased within the specified time period of the agreement to avoid penalties or unfavorable effects on pricing, among other adverse consequences.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration