Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical - equity) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
AIG shareholders' equity (see Note 1):
Treasury stock, shares of common stock (in shares)	6,672,586	6,660,908
Noncontrolling interests, other, portion associated with businesses held for sale (in dollars)	$ 0	$ 204
Series E | Preferred Stock
AIG shareholders' equity (see Note 1):
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 5.00	$ 5.00
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	400,000
Series F | Preferred Stock
AIG shareholders' equity (see Note 1):
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 5.00	$ 5.00
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	300,000
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation value (in dollars)		7,543.0
Series C | Preferred Stock
AIG shareholders' equity (see Note 1):
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 5.00	$ 5.00
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	100,000
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation value (in dollars)		$ 0.5
Common Stock
AIG shareholders' equity (see Note 1):
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 2.50	$ 2.50
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000,000	5,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,905,882,207	147,124,067