DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 97,922	$ 106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,047	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	117,630	125,062
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	9,760	12,097
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	23,000	18,300
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,300	900
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount		481
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value		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	97,922	106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,047	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	117,630	124,401
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	9,760	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	63,463	72,660
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	6,479	8,286
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	63,482	73,248
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	5,806	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	8,325	3,278
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	104	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	10,168	3,399
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	174	178
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	4,990	4,748
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	221	263
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	25,626	18,911
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,377	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	625	691
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	145	136
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	622	861
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	146	146
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	70	407
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	60	89
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	16,244	25,857
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	2,051	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	20,449	24,305
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	38	741
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	1,488	2,125
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 206	$ 372