The remaining amount that the entity is obligated to pay under the long-term purchase commitment.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of units of flight equipment cancelled within the specified time period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of additional units of goods that the entity has the right to purchase under a purchase contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Represents the term of the operating leases.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Details

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- Definition

The amount the entity has committed to invest in limited partnerships, private equities, hedge funds and mutual funds, and to purchase and develop real estate in the U.S. and abroad.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Sets forth the number of units of goods that must be purchased within the specified time period of the agreement to avoid penalties or unfavorable effects on pricing, among other adverse consequences.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The total of future contractually required payments on leases defined as operating.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 122

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(i)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (Note 3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within one year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the third year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the second year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due after the fifth year from the balance sheet date on leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Future minimum rental payments in aggregate as of the balance sheet date under operating leases.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 23

-Subparagraph b(ii)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6454179&loc=d3e41551-112718

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Future rental payments receivable within one year of the balance sheet date under an operating lease.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Future rental payments receivable within the fifth year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease.

+ References

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- Definition

Future rental payments receivable within the fourth year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease.

+ References

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- Definition

Future rental payments receivable within the third year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease.

+ References

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- Definition

Future rental payments receivable within the second year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease.

+ References

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- Definition

Future minimum lease payments receivable under operating leases for periods greater than five years following the balance sheet date.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41499-112717

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COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases
2012	$ 422,000,000
2013	332,000,000
2014	234,000,000
2015	181,000,000
2016	151,000,000
Remaining years after 2016	428,000,000
Total	1,748,000,000
Rent expense	482,000,000	587,000,000	733,000,000
Other Commitments
Other Commitments	2,800,000,000
Segment Discontinued Operations
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases
Rent expense	24,000,000	118,000,000	206,000,000
Flight Equipment
Minimum future rental income on noncancelable operating leases of flight equipment that has been delivered
2012	4,091,000,000
2013	3,585,000,000
2014	2,900,000,000
2015	2,180,000,000
2016	1,570,000,000
Remaining years after 2016	1,701,000,000
Total	16,027,000,000
Flight Equipment \| Minimum
Minimum future rental income on noncancelable operating leases of flight equipment that has been delivered
Remaining terms of operating leases (in years)	1
Flight Equipment \| Maximum
Minimum future rental income on noncancelable operating leases of flight equipment that has been delivered
Remaining terms of operating leases (in years)	14
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| Flight Equipment
COMMITMENTS
Aggregate estimated total remaining payments	$ 19,000,000,000
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| New Aircraft
COMMITMENTS
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	232
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| Additional Aircraft
COMMITMENTS
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	26
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| A320 New Engine Option (neo)
COMMITMENTS
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	100
Number of additional aircraft the entity has the right to purchase	50
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| A380 aircraft
COMMITMENTS
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft cancelled	10
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) \| 737-800 aircraft from Boeing
COMMITMENTS
Purchase commitment, number of aircraft purchased	33