Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (details) - Gain Contingencies $ in Millions	12 Months Ended	64 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Aug. 17, 2010 item
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 | item			3
Number of discrete issues modified in part by the summary judgment in reinsurance dispute | item		2
Total settlement amount		$ 509
Settlement amount		238
Interest related to settlement award		$ 271
Annual interest rate accruing on judgment not yet paid		9.00%
Safeco Insurance Company of America, et al v American International Group, Inc, et al [Member]
Gain Contingencies
Total settlement amount	$ 91
Number of payments received in settlement of workers' compensation matter | item	2
Payment received from settlement fund	$ 93
Amount of settlement fund payment received that was remitted to another insurer	$ 2