LIABILITY FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE AND FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS FOR LIFE AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACTS AND POLICYHOLDER CONTRACT DEPOSITS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
DISCOUNTING OF RESERVES
Net loss reserve discount	3,200,000,000
Tabular discount
DISCOUNTING OF RESERVES
Interest rate used to calculate worker's compensation discount (as a percent)	3.50%
Tabular discount | AIG Property Casualty
DISCOUNTING OF RESERVES
Discount for workers' compensation	801,000,000
Non-tabular discount | AIG Property Casualty
DISCOUNTING OF RESERVES
Discount for workers' compensation	2,400,000,000
Discount for asbestos	51,000,000
Non-tabular discount | New York
DISCOUNTING OF RESERVES
Interest rate used to calculate worker's compensation discount (as a percent)	5.00%
Non-tabular discount | Pennsylvania
DISCOUNTING OF RESERVES
Interest rate used to calculate worker's compensation discount (as a percent)	6.00%