Represents the impairment charges recognized on life settlement contracts.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LifeSettlementContractsImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the income recognized on life settlement contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method based on remaining life expectancy.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FTB85-4-1

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LifeSettlementContractsInvestmentMethodCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LifeSettlementContractsInvestmentMethodDisclosureItemsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method based on remaining life expectancy.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FTB85-4-1

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph c

-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

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LifeSettlementContractsInvestmentMethodFaceValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the amount of life insurance premiums anticipated to be paid for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to keep the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method in force as of the date of the most recent statement of financial position presented.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FTB85-4-1

-Paragraph 14

-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

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42708-111610

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LifeSettlementContractsInvestmentMethodFiveYearDisclosurePremiumsToBePaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method based on remaining life expectancy.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FTB85-4-1

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-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

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LifeSettlementContractsInvestmentMethodNumberOfContracts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

INVESTMENTS (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 contract	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
INVESTMENTS
Income recognized on life settlement contracts	$ 320	$ 213	$ 106
Impairment charges recognized on life settlement contracts	312	74	79
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	5,901
Carrying Value	4,006
Face Value (Death Benefits)	18,100
0 - 1 year
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	6
Carrying Value	2
Face Value (Death Benefits)	4
Anticipated life insurance premiums payable	559
1 - 2 years
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	43
Carrying Value	20
Face Value (Death Benefits)	32
Anticipated life insurance premiums payable	573
2 - 3 years
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	108
Carrying Value	78
Face Value (Death Benefits)	165
Anticipated life insurance premiums payable	575
3 - 4 years
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	208
Carrying Value	232
Face Value (Death Benefits)	528
Anticipated life insurance premiums payable	581
4 - 5 years
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	274
Carrying Value	232
Face Value (Death Benefits)	616
Anticipated life insurance premiums payable	571
Thereafter
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insured's
Number of Contracts	5,262
Carrying Value	3,442
Face Value (Death Benefits)	$ 16,755