DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Amortization expense	$ (8,019)	$ (9,134)	$ (9,442)
Balance, end of year	14,026	14,668	40,814
Value of business acquired
Amortization of VOBA	34	90	132
Unamortized balance of VOBA	430	488	1,600
Percentage of unamortized balance of VOBA expected to be amortized in 2012 through 2016 by year
Year one (as a percent)	0.081
Year two (as a percent)	0.076
Year three (as a percent)	0.063
Year four (as a percent)	0.058
Year five (as a percent)	0.051
Year after five year (as a percent)	67.10%
(Increase) decrease in amortization expense	307	101	(113)
Divested Businesses
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Increase (decrease) in deferred policy acquisition costs due to net unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities		(34)
Cumulative effect of adopting a new other-than-temporary impairment accounting standard | Divested Businesses
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities			2
Other			2
Chartis
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Balance, beginning of year before consolidation and eliminations	4,973	4,759	4,959
Dispositions			(418)
Acquisition costs deferred	6,575	6,849	6,490
Amortization expense	(6,455)	(6,728)	(6,663)
Increase due to foreign exchange and other	261	93	391
Balance, end of year before consolidation and eliminations	5,354	4,973	4,759
SunAmerica Financial Group
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Balance, beginning of year before consolidation and eliminations			14,447
Dispositions			(479)
Acquisition costs deferred	1,194	990	1,014
Amortization expense	(1,535)	(1,368)	(1,553)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	(674)	(1,111)	(960)
Increase due to foreign exchange	2	1	(10)
Other		(4)	(1,361)
Balance, end of year	8,593	9,606	11,098	14,447
Increase (decrease) in deferred policy acquisition costs due to net unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities	(646)	(1,000)	86
SunAmerica Financial Group | Cumulative effect of adopting a new other-than-temporary impairment accounting standard
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities			1,300
Other			1,300
Other Operations
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Balance, beginning of year before consolidation and eliminations	47	24,908	26,321
Dispositions		(22,244)
Acquisition costs deferred	27	1,496	1,545
Amortization expense	(29)	(1,038)	(1,226)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities		34	(44)
Increase due to foreign exchange	1	377	826
Reclassified to Assets held for sale		(3,521)	(3,322)
Other	(2)	(185)	(60)
Balance, end of year before consolidation and eliminations	44	47	24,908
Balance, end of year	79	89	24,957	26,321
Other Operations | Segment Discontinued Operations
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Activity of discontinued operations		220	868
Consolidation and Eliminations
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Balance, end of year before consolidation and eliminations	$ 35	$ 42	$ 49