SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Detail)					6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Common Stock	Jun. 30, 2012 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock	Jun. 30, 2013 Treasury Stock	Jun. 30, 2012 Treasury Stock
Common Stock Issued [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	666,009,000		665,239,000		665,239,000	663,639,000	666,009,000
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares					770,000	893,000
Balance, end of period	666,009,000		665,239,000			664,532,000	666,009,000
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period								197,453,000	197,329,000
Open market								5,263,000	0
Other								144,000	205,000
Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan								(770,000)	(905,000)
Exercise of stock options								(755,000)	(72,000)
Other								(146,000)	(135,000)
Balance, end of period								201,189,000	196,422,000
Shares outstanding, end of period		464,820,000		468,110,000