Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Total assets	$ 548,633	$ 553,054
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings	14,176	10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12,574	6,481
Total AIG shareholders' equity	98,002	101,538
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Assets:
Total assets		553,054
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings		10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income		6,481
Total AIG shareholders' equity		101,538
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | As Previously Reported
Assets:
Total assets		556,467
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings		14,332
Accumulated other comprehensive income		6,336
Total AIG shareholders' equity		104,951
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Assets:
Total assets		(3,413)
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings		(3,558)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		145
Total AIG shareholders' equity		(3,413)
Parent Company
Assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	70,781	80,990
Total assets	147,745	165,623
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings	14,176	10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12,574	6,481
Total AIG shareholders' equity	98,002	101,538
Parent Company | Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		80,990
Total assets		165,623
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings		10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income		6,481
Total AIG shareholders' equity		101,538
Parent Company | Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | As Previously Reported
Assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		84,403
Total assets		169,036
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings		14,332
Accumulated other comprehensive income		6,336
Total AIG shareholders' equity		104,951
Parent Company | Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		(3,413)
Total assets		(3,413)
AIG Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings		(3,558)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		145
Total AIG shareholders' equity		$ (3,413)