SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Statement of Operations:
Total net realized capital losses	$ 397	$ 75	$ 147	$ (660)
Total revenues	17,123	16,680	35,566	34,119
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	1,064	1,114	2,133	2,220
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,472	1,322	2,819	2,553
Other acquisition and other insurance expenses	2,264	2,129	4,522	4,097
Total benefits, claims and expenses	15,372	14,886	29,231	33,635
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit	1,751.0	1,794.0	6,335.0	484.0
Income tax expense (benefit)	(593)	(296)	555	(522)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	2,344	2,090	5,780	1,006
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)	(5)	(37)	8	2,548
Net income	2,339	2,053	5,788	3,554
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG	2,332	1,836	5,540	3,133
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders	2,332	1,836	5,540	2,321
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.33	$ 1.03	$ 3.05	$ (0.12)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.03)		$ 1.49
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.33	$ 1.03	$ 3.05	$ (0.12)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.03)		$ 1.49
Reclassification of certain derivative activity		5		(82)
As Previously Reported
Statement of Operations:
Total net realized capital losses		71		(667)
Total revenues		16,676		34,112
Interest credited to policyholder account balances		1,110		2,215
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		1,786		3,502
Other acquisition and other insurance expenses		1,653		3,204
Total benefits, claims and expenses		14,870		33,686
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit		1,806.0		426.0
Income tax expense (benefit)		(288)		(488)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations		2,094		914
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)		(37)		1,616
Net income		2,057		2,530
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG		1,840		2,109
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders		1,840		1,297
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 1.03		$ (0.18)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.03)		$ 0.94
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 1.03		$ (0.18)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.03)		$ 0.94
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Statement of Operations:
Total net realized capital losses		4		7
Total revenues		4		7
Interest credited to policyholder account balances		4		5
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		(464)		(949)
Other acquisition and other insurance expenses		476		893
Total benefits, claims and expenses		16		(51)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit		(12.0)		58.0
Income tax expense (benefit)		(8)		(34)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations		(4)		92
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)				932
Net income		(4)		1,024
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG		(4)		1,024
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders		$ (4)		$ 1,024
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)				$ 0.06
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				$ 0.55
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)				$ 0.06
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				$ 0.55