SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 8) (Future Application of Accounting Standards, USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Future application of accounting pronouncements
Repurchase agreements previously accounted for as sales that would be accounted as secured borrowings	$ 2,100,000,000
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Future application of accounting pronouncements
Pre-tax reduction of Deferred policy acquisition costs	4,900,000,000
After-tax decrease in AIG shareholders' equity	3,300,000,000
After-tax decrease in AIG shareholders' equity resulting from increase in accumulated deficit	3,700,000,000
After-tax increase in AIG shareholders' equity resulting from increase in accumulated other comprehensive income	400,000,000
Favorable affect on income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (benefit)		$ 149,000,000	$ 90,000,000	$ 40,000,000