TOTAL EQUITY AND EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			$ 5,153
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(6,463)		(6,463)
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments	1,832	1,794	3,195	525
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments	28	(75)	1,031	537
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments	(512)	308	(425)	(549)
Change in net derivative gains(losses) arising from cash flow hedging activities	4	13	8	31
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(459)	66	(1,220)	532
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(11)	(32)	(401)	(248)
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(527)	67	(909)	529
Deferred tax asset (liability)	85	(20)	89	320
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(3)	45	15	40
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(3)	6	(14)	(109)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	910	2,114	2,635	1,334
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17	(107)	630	289
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,305	1,861	2,286	1,054
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(427)	288	(336)	(229)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1	58	23	71
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14	14	32	149
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(537)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	7,791		7,791
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			5,153	7,624
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(81)		(81)
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments			4,791	2,826
Change in deferred acquisition costs adjustment and other			(498)	(688)
Change in future policy benefits			(67)
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments			(425)	957
Change in net derivative gains(losses) arising from cash flow hedging activities			8	31
Net actuarial gain			70	11
Prior service credit			(24)	(1)
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				(2,334)
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(1,220)	532
Other comprehensive income (loss)			2,635	1,334
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				88
Noncontrolling interests			(3)	(47)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	7,791	9,012	7,791	9,012
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Fixed Maturity Investments on Which Other-Than-Temporary Credit Impairments Were Taken
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(736)	(659)
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments			1,069	559
Change in deferred acquisition costs adjustment and other			(7)	(75)
Change in future policy benefits			(31)
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				53
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(401)	(248)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			630	289
Noncontrolling interests				3
Balance, end of period, net of tax	(106)	(373)	(106)	(373)
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of All Other Investments
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			7,891	8,888
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments			3,722	2,267
Change in deferred acquisition costs adjustment and other			(491)	(613)
Change in future policy benefits			(36)
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				(1,129)
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(909)	529
Other comprehensive income (loss)			2,286	1,054
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				43
Noncontrolling interests			2	(81)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	10,175	10,349	10,175	10,349
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of All Other Investments | Increases (decreases) from previously reported amounts | New Accounting Pronouncement - Other-than-temporary Impairments
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		283		283
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(1,028)	298
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments			(425)	957
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				(1,506)
Deferred tax asset (liability)			89	320
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(336)	(229)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				62
Noncontrolling interests			(5)	31
Balance, end of period, net of tax	(1,359)	(264)	(1,359)	(264)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | Increases (decreases) from previously reported amounts | New Accounting Pronouncement - Other-than-temporary Impairments
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(364)		(364)
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Arising From Cash Flow Hedging Activities
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(17)	(34)
Change in net derivative gains(losses) arising from cash flow hedging activities			8	31
Deferred tax asset (liability)			15	40
Other comprehensive income (loss)			23	71
Balance, end of period, net of tax	6	37	6	37
Change in Retirement Plan Liabilities Adjustment
A roll forward of Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(957)	(869)
Net actuarial gain			70	11
Prior service credit			(24)	(1)
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				248
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(14)	(109)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			32	149
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(17)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	$ (925)	$ (737)	$ (925)	$ (737)