Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (1,415)	$ (1,697)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	(1,395)	4,101
Noncash revenues, expenses, gains and losses included in loss:
Net gains on sales of securities available for sale and other assets	(1,207)	(1,943)
Net (gains) losses on sales of divested businesses	76	(126)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	3,392
Unrealized losses in earnings - net	1,044	737
Equity in income from equity method investments, net of dividends or distributions	(1,042)	(592)
Depreciation and other amortization	7,452	7,791
Provision for mortgage and other loans receivable	(12)	376
Impairments of assets	3,052	3,775
Amortization of costs and accrued interest and fees related to FRBNY Credit Facility	48	2,762
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
General and life insurance reserves	4,190	3,729
Premiums and other receivables and payables - net	686	(606)
Reinsurance assets and funds held under reinsurance treaties	(4,258)	(2,124)
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(5,856)	(6,627)
Other policyholder funds	(267)	339
Current and deferred income taxes - net	(1,764)	260
Trading securities	197	542
Payment of FRBNY Credit Facility accrued compounded interest and fees	(6,363)
Other, net	(1,011)	(1,728)
Total adjustments	(1,643)	6,565
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	(4,453)	8,969
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	3,370	6,146
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,083)	15,115
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of available for sale investments	33,063	33,951
Maturities of fixed maturity securities available for sale and hybrid investments	15,021	10,651
Sales of trading securities	9,105	5,080
Sales or distributions of other invested assets (including flight equipment)	6,539	7,609
Sales of divested businesses, net	587	1,903
Principal payments received on and sales of mortgage and other loans receivable	2,515	3,723
Purchases of available for sale investments	(69,598)	(60,770)
Purchases of trading securities	(960)	(2,285)
Purchases of other invested assets (including flight equipment)	(5,351)	(6,265)
Mortgage and other loans receivable issued and purchased	(1,735)	(2,295)
Net change in restricted cash	26,408	(339)
Net change in short-term investments	15,410	4,988
Net change in derivative assets and liabilities other than AIGFP	864	186
Other, net	(318)	(400)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	31,550	(4,263)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations	4,478	(3,264)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	36,028	(7,527)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Policyholder contract deposits	13,907	14,719
Policyholder contract withdrawals	(10,538)	(11,120)
Net change in short-term debt	(234)	(5,855)
Federal Reserve Bank of New York credit facility borrowings		14,900
Federal Reserve Bank of New York credit facility repayments	(14,622)	(18,512)
Issuance of other long-term debt	6,297	9,683
Repayments of other long-term debt	(14,944)	(10,481)
Proceeds from drawdown on the Department of the Treasury Commitment	20,292	2,199
Repayment of Department of the Treasury SPV Preferred Interests	(11,453)
Repayment of Federal Reserve Bank of New York SPV Preferred Interests	(26,432)
Issuance of Common Stock	5,055
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(683)
Other, net	(147)	(376)
Net cash used in financing activities - continuing operations	(33,502)	(4,843)
Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations	(1,942)	(3,929)
Net cash used in financing activities	(35,444)	(8,772)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	37	(4)
Net decrease in cash	(462)	(1,188)
Cash at beginning of period	1,558	4,400
Change in cash of businesses held for sale	446	(1,544)
Cash at end of period	$ 1,542	$ 1,668