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Indicates the number of financing receivables under each classification.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Indicates the number of 90 days or less past due financing receivables under each classification.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Indicates the number of financing receivables under each classification.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Indicates the number of greater than 90 days past due financing receivables or in the process of foreclosure under each classification.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aig_FinancingReceivableOnRealEstateGreaterThan90DaysPastDueNumberOfLoans
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- Definition

Indicates the number of restructured financing receivables under each classification.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Financing receivables that are 90 days or less past due.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of financing receivables that are current.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Financing receivables that are restructured, which may involve extending the maturity of a loan or otherwise changing the interest rate or other terms of a loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Financing receivables that are greater than 90 days past due or in the process of foreclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The percentage of financing receivables that are greater than 90 days past due or in the process of foreclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The percentage of total financing receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aig_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPercentage
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of financing receivables that are restructured.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aig_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentRestructuredPercentage
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of financing receivables that have a valuation allowance established.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Financing receivables that are current.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=SL6953401-111524

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- Definition

Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 8, 9

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section S99

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-Publisher OTS

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-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph a(ii)

-Chapter V

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-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-Article 9

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 114

-Paragraph 20

-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 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section L

-Subsection 1

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- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph e

-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.

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LENDING ACTIVITIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified											6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2012 Apartments	Jun. 30, 2012 Offices	Jun. 30, 2012 Retail	Jun. 30, 2012 Industrial	Jun. 30, 2012 Hotel	Jun. 30, 2012 Others	Jun. 30, 2012 Commercial mortgages loan
Credit quality indicators for commercial mortgage loans
Number of loans in good standing											1,010
Number of loans restructured											8
Number of loans 90 days or less delinquent											4
Number of loans greater than 90 days delinquent or in process of foreclosure											15
Number of Loans											1,037
In good standing					$ 1,663	$ 4,896	$ 2,531	$ 1,819	$ 960	$ 1,356	$ 13,225
Restructured					50	206	7	9		21	293
90 days or less delinquent						16				3	19
Greater than 90 days delinquent or in process of foreclosure						61		40		85	186
Mortgage and other loans receivable, net	19,387	19,489			1,713	5,179	2,538	1,868	960	1,465	13,723
Valuation allowance	$ 684	$ 740	$ 835	$ 878	$ 16	$ 117	$ 19	$ 58	$ 11	$ 41	$ 262
Percentage of loans that are current as to payments of principal and interest											97.00%
Percentage restructured											2.00%
Percentage greater than 90 days delinquent or in foreclosure											1.00%
Percentage Total											100.00%
Percentage of loans with valuation allowance											2.00%