Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (details) - Gain Contingencies (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	50 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 07, 2013 item	Mar. 31, 2012 item	Feb. 29, 2012
United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company v. American Re-Insurance Company, et al. [Member]
Gain Contingencies
Number of other reinsurers beside American Re against which judgment was entered in a reinsurance dispute	3
Total settlement amount	$ 420	$ 488
Settlement amount	251	238
Interest related to settlement award	169	250
Annual interest rate accruing on judgment not yet paid	9.00%	9.00%
Number of discrete issues modified in part by the summary judgment in reinsurance dispute					2
Number of reinsurers with whom the Company has reached a settlement agreeement			1
Safeco Insurance Company of America, et al v American International Group, Inc, et al [Member]
Gain Contingencies
Total settlement amount				91
Preliminary class settlement amount approved by court in workers' compensation matter, amount payable by defendants							450
Number of parties who objected to the settlement and filed notices of appeal in workers' compensation matter						3
Number of payments received in settlement of workers' compensation matter			2
Payment received from settlement fund			93
Amount of settlement fund payment received that was remitted to another insurer				$ 2