Represents the gross investment income.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aig_InvestmentIncomeBeforePolicyholderInvestmentIncomeAndTradingGains
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the policyholder investment income and trading gains.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aig_PolicyholderInvestmentIncomeAndTradingGains
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total expenses related to the generation of investment income in debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The income earned from investments in securities and property, equipment and other capital assets. It includes rent from property and equipment, dividends from shares in corporations, and interest from bonds, loans, mortgages, derivatives, commercial paper, bank accounts, certificates of deposits, treasuries, and other financial securities. It does not include realized gains and losses on investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 16

-Article 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 2

-Article 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

+ Details

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INVESTMENTS (Details 9) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						$ 15,264	$ 20,539	$ 17,226
Policyholder investment income and trading gains							886	2,305
Total investment income						15,264	21,425	19,531
Investment expenses						509	491	539
Net investment income						14,755	20,934	18,992
AIA Group Limited (AIA)
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains	1,021	(2,315)	1,521	1,062	(638)	15,264	20,539	17,226
AIA Group Limited (AIA) \| Change in fair value of securities
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						1,289	(638)
Maiden Lane II \| Change in fair value of securities
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						42	513	(25)
Maiden Lane III \| Change in fair value of securities
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						(646)	1,792	419
MetLife Inc. (MetLife) \| Change in fair value of securities
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						(157)	665
Fixed maturity securities, including short-term investments
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						11,814	14,445	14,535
Equity securities
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						92	234	186
Interest on mortgage and other loans
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						1,065	1,268	1,347
Alternative investments
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						1,213	1,602	4
Mutual Funds
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						47	(25)	315
Real estate
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						107	126	139
Other investments
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains						$ 398	$ 557	$ 306