DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 89,468	$ 97,922
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	5,677	7,047
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	110,711	117,630
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	7,403	9,760
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	25,900	23,000
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	600	1,300
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	226
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	2
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	971
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	57
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	89,242	97,922
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	5,675	7,047
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	109,740	117,630
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	7,346	9,760
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	56,436	63,463
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	5,078	6,479
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	61,714	63,482
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	4,596	5,806
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	4,259	8,325
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	115	104
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	2,279	10,168
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	98	174
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	5,606	4,990
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	265	221
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	28,294	25,626
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	708	1,377
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	615	625
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	124	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	610	622
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	127	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	70
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	56	60
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	15,526	16,244
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,650	2,051
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	22,256	20,449
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	37	38
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	1,317	1,488
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 167	$ 206