EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Numerator for EPS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 2,725	$ 2,160	$ 4,863	$ 5,545
Less: Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Nonvoting, callable, junior and senior preferred interests				208
Other	27	7	52	40
Total net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	27	7	52	248
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG from continuing operations	2,698	2,153	4,811	5,297
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG from discontinued operations, applicable to common stock for EPS	33	179	126	243
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders from continuing operations, applicable to common stock for EPS	$ 2,731	$ 2,332	$ 4,937	$ 5,540
Denominator for EPS:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,476,512,720	1,756,689,067	1,476,491,719	1,816,331,019
Dilutive shares	5,733,898	25,408	2,970,893	27,606
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	1,482,246,618	1,756,714,475	1,479,462,612	1,816,358,625
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.83	$ 1.23	$ 3.26	$ 2.92
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.13
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIG - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.85	$ 1.33	$ 3.34	$ 3.05
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.82	$ 1.23	$ 3.25	$ 2.92
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.13
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIG - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.84	$ 1.33	$ 3.33	$ 3.05
Number of shares, warrants, and options excluded from diluted shares outstanding because the effect would have been anti-dilutive	75,000,000	78,000,000	76,000,000	78,000,000