Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Operations:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	$ 629	$ 2,558	$ 1,669	$ 4,466	$ 2,771	$ (2,938)	$ 1,711	$ (1,428)	$ 9,322	$ 116	$ 20,247
Income tax expense (benefit)									1,570	(19,424)	6,993
Income (loss) from continuing operations									7,752	19,540	13,254
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(4,332)	37	179	64	94	(1,052)	41	2,707	(4,052)	1,790	(969)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG	(3,958)	1,856	2,332	3,208	21,479	(3,990)	1,836	1,297	3,438	20,622	10,058
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Statement of Operations:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)										116	20,247
Income tax expense (benefit)										(19,424)	6,993
Income (loss) from continuing operations										19,540	13,254
Income (loss) from discontinued operations										1,790	(969)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG										20,622	10,058
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | As Previously Reported
Statement of Operations:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)										(48)	18,517
Income tax expense (benefit)										(17,696)	6,116
Income (loss) from continuing operations										17,648	12,401
Income (loss) from discontinued operations										858	(2,388)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG										17,798	7,786
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Statement of Operations:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)										164	1,730
Income tax expense (benefit)										(1,728)	877
Income (loss) from continuing operations										1,892	853
Income (loss) from discontinued operations										932	1,419
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG										2,824	2,272
Parent Company
Statement of Operations:
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									1,970	6,260	21,385
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)									2,300	(6)	16,277
Income tax expense (benefit)									(1,137)	(19,695)	5,402
Income (loss) from continuing operations									3,437	19,689	10,875
Income (loss) from discontinued operations									1	933	(817)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG									3,438	20,622	10,058
Parent Company | Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Statement of Operations:
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries										6,260	21,385
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)										(6)	16,277
Income tax expense (benefit)										(19,695)	5,402
Income (loss) from continuing operations										19,689	10,875
Income (loss) from discontinued operations											(817)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG										20,622	10,058
Parent Company | Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | As Previously Reported
Statement of Operations:
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries										5,222	18,040
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)										(1,044)	12,932
Income tax expense (benefit)										(17,909)	5,144
Income (loss) from continuing operations										16,865	7,788
Income (loss) from discontinued operations											(2)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG										17,798	7,786
Parent Company | Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Statement of Operations:
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries										1,038	3,345
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)										1,038	3,345
Income tax expense (benefit)										(1,786)	258
Income (loss) from continuing operations										2,824	3,087
Income (loss) from discontinued operations											(815)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG										$ 2,824	$ 2,272