SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Deferred income taxes	$ 17,466	$ 19,615
Deferred policy acquisition costs	8,182	8,937	9,431
Other assets	10,399	11,663
Total assets	548,633	553,054
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings	14,176	10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	12,574	6,481
Total AIG shareholders' equity	98,002	101,538
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Assets:
Deferred income taxes		19,615
Deferred policy acquisition costs		8,937
Other assets		11,663
Total assets		553,054
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings		10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		6,481
Total AIG shareholders' equity		101,538
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | As Previously Reported
Assets:
Deferred income taxes		17,897
Deferred policy acquisition costs		14,026
Other assets		11,705
Total assets		556,467
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings		14,332
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		6,336
Total AIG shareholders' equity		104,951
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Assets:
Deferred income taxes		1,718
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(5,089)
Other assets		(42)
Total assets		(3,413)
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings		(3,558)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		145
Total AIG shareholders' equity		$ (3,413)