The amount of estimated pension benefit costs during the period for (1) defined benefit plans. For defined benefit plans, estimated pension expense includes the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on plan assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

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The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

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The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

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1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

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The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer.

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The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan in the current remaining fiscal period. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

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The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

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An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

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Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

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The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

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The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

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This element may be used to encapsulate any other periodic costs associated with defined benefit plans that are not separately disclosed.

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The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

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Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Pensions	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Pensions	Jun. 30, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Pensions	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Pensions	Dec. 31, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Pensions	Jun. 30, 2011 Pensions	Jun. 30, 2010 Pensions	Jun. 30, 2011 Pensions	Jun. 30, 2010 Pensions	Dec. 31, 2010 Pensions	Jun. 30, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Pension Plans	Feb. 02, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 Non U.S. Pension Plans	Dec. 31, 2010 Non U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 U.S. Pension Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 AIG Star and AIG Edison Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 Non U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2011 U.S. Postretirement Plans	Jun. 30, 2010 U.S. Postretirement Plans
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost						$ 53	$ 66	$ 112	$ 134							$ 16	$ 31	$ 38	$ 63				$ 37	$ 35	$ 74	$ 71				$ 3	$ 4	$ 6	$ 8				$ 1	$ 2	$ 2	$ 4	$ 2	$ 2	$ 4	$ 4
Interest cost						60	68	123	137							8	14	19	29				52	54	104	108				3	5	8	10					1	1	2	3	4	7	8
Expected return on assets						(69)	(71)	(139)	(142)							(6)	(7)	(13)	(14)				(63)	(64)	(126)	(128)
Amortization of prior service cost						1	(3)	(1)	(5)								(3)	(2)	(5)				1		1					1		1									1		1
Amortization of net loss						13	24	30	47							3	12	9	23				10	12	21	24
Other							2		1								2		1
Net periodic benefit cost	1	35	11	70		58	86	125	172		1	32	11	63		21	49	51	97		3	7	37	37	74	75	1	1	1	7	9	15	18	1	1	1	1	3	3	6	6	6	12	12
Projected benefit obligation															804					2,000
Fair value of plan assets															279					954
Estimated pension expense					53					282
Estimated employer contribution					54					144
Pension contributions year to date								67
Pension contributions expected in remainder of year						$ 32		$ 32