SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 segment	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment results
Number of reportable segments			3
Total revenues	$ 17,123	$ 16,680	$ 35,566	$ 34,119
Pre-tax income (loss)	1,751.0	1,794.0	6,335.0	484.0
Chartis
Segment results
Total revenues	10,020	10,218	19,818	20,098
Pre-tax income (loss)	961.0	826.0	1,871.0	452.0
Commercial Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	6,087	6,437	12,016	12,503
Pre-tax income (loss)	594.0	629.0	1,159.0	245.0
Consumer Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	3,564	3,482	7,176	6,916
Pre-tax income (loss)	192.0	59.0	426.0	(196.0)
Other
Segment results
Total revenues	369	299	626	679
Pre-tax income (loss)	175.0	138.0	286.0	403.0
Total Chartis Operating Segments
Segment results
Total revenues	10,020	10,218	19,818	20,098
Pre-tax income (loss)	961.0	826.0	1,871.0	452.0
SunAmerica Financial Group
Segment results
Total revenues	4,213	3,896	7,909	7,735
Pre-tax income (loss)	777.0	766.0	1,639.0	1,733.0
Total SunAmerica Operating Segments
Segment results
Total revenues	4,213	3,896	7,909	7,735
Pre-tax income (loss)	777.0	766.0	1,639.0	1,733.0
Domestic Life Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	2,484	2,146	4,643	4,108
Pre-tax income (loss)	673.0	369.0	1,161.0	702.0
Domestic Retirement Services
Segment results
Total revenues	1,729	1,750	3,266	3,627
Pre-tax income (loss)	104.0	397.0	478.0	1,031.0
Aircraft Leasing
Segment results
Total revenues	1,121	1,119	2,275	2,260
Pre-tax income (loss)	86.0	87.0	206.0	207.0
Other Operations
Segment results
Total revenues	1,869	1,565	5,872	4,297
Pre-tax income (loss)	(116.0)	87.0	2,620.0	(1,910.0)
Mortgage Guaranty
Segment results
Total revenues	224	232	424	470
Pre-tax income (loss)	48.0	6.0	56.0	14.0
Global Capital Markets
Segment results
Total revenues	10	(105)	170	281
Pre-tax income (loss)	(25.0)	(169.0)	63.0	121.0
Direct Investment Book
Segment results
Total revenues	584	136	928	599
Pre-tax income (loss)	485.0	73.0	733.0	483.0
Retained Interests
Segment results
Total revenues	813	854	3,860	2,503
Pre-tax income (loss)	813.0	854.0	3,860.0	2,503.0
Corporate and Other
Segment results
Total revenues	251	458	513	469
Pre-tax income (loss)	(1,435.0)	(668.0)	(2,093.0)	(5,015.0)
Other Operations, consolidation and eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(13)	(10)	(23)	(25)
Pre-tax income (loss)	(2.0)	(9.0)	1.0	(16.0)
Operating Segments
Segment results
Total revenues	17,223	16,798	35,874	34,390
Pre-tax income (loss)	1,708.0	1,766.0	6,336.0	482.0
Consolidation and Eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(100)	(118)	(308)	(271)
Pre-tax income (loss)	$ 43.0	$ 28.0	$ (1.0)	$ 2.0