REINSURANCE (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 17, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2012 Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2011 Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2010 Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2012 Life insurance	Dec. 31, 2011 Life insurance	Dec. 31, 2010 Life insurance	Dec. 31, 2012 Divested Businesses Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2011 Divested Businesses Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2010 Divested Businesses Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2012 AIG Life and Retirement	Dec. 31, 2011 AIG Life and Retirement	Dec. 31, 2010 AIG Life and Retirement	Dec. 31, 2012 AIG Life and Retirement Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2011 AIG Life and Retirement Life Insurance and Retirement Services	Dec. 31, 2010 AIG Life and Retirement Life Insurance and Retirement Services
Premiums earned:
Direct						$ 3,041	$ 3,121	$ 12,811				$ 11	$ 17	$ 9,670				$ 3,030	$ 3,104	$ 3,141
Ceded						(602)	(597)	(1,056)					(6)	(435)				(602)	(591)	(621)
Net						2,439	2,524	11,755				11	11	9,235				2,428	2,513	2,520
Reinsurance recoveries, which reduced loss and loss expenses incurred	19,209	20,320	1,700	19,644	17,487	758	611	810
Life insurance ratios
Long-duration insurance in force ceded									129,159	140,156	148,605
Assumed insurance as a percentage of gross long-duration insurance in force															0.10%	0.07%	0.10%
Assumed insurance as a percent of gross premiums															0.50%	0.50%	0.30%
Letters of credit
Syndicated letter of credit facility outstanding related to long-duration intercompany reinsurance transactions						585
Letters of credit obtained on a bilateral basis related to long-duration intercompany reinsurance transactions						215
Letters of credit						$ 800