DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 103,500	$ 106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	8,460	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	121,001	125,062
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	11,641	12,097
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	20,900	18,300
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,200	900
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	409	481
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	29	38
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount		180
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	103,500	106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	8,460	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	120,592	124,401
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	11,612	12,058
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	72,634	72,660
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,667	8,286
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	69,122	73,248
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	6,879	6,870
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	2,469	3,278
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	53	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	6,328	3,399
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	171	178
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	5,581	4,748
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	261	263
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	21,632	18,911
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,434	1,126
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	671	691
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	183	136
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	635	861
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	185	146
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	310	407
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	64	89
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	20,842	25,857
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	2,656	3,366
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	21,835	24,305
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	232	741
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	2,033	2,125
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 287	$ 372