INVESTMENTS (Details - Components of Net realized capital gains (losses)) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other-than-temporary impairments:
Severity	$ (3)	$ (6)	$ (44)
Change in intent	(40)	(48)	(62)
Foreign currency declines	(19)	(1)	(8)
Issuer-specific credit events	(169)	(170)	(931)
Adverse projected cash flows	(16)	(7)	(5)
Provision for loan losses	(1)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed	(26)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed	104us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed
Foreign exchange transactions	598	151	(233)
Derivative instruments	(177)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives	287us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives	(529)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives
Impairments of investments in life settlements	(201)	(971)	(309)
Other	71aig_OtherInvestmentCharges	187aig_OtherInvestmentCharges	13aig_OtherInvestmentCharges
Total net realized capital gains	739	1,939	1,087
MetLife
Other-than-temporary impairments:
Total net realized capital gains			0
Fixed maturity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Sale of fixed maturity securities	585	2,432	2,607
Equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Sale of fixed maturity securities	$ 111	$ 111	$ 484

Represents amount of impairments on life settlement contracts.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents other investment charges not specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the other than temporary impairments due to change in intent.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Represents the other than temporary impairments due to change in adverse projected cash flows.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the other than temporary impairments due to foreign currency declines.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the other than temporary impairments due to issuer-specific credit events.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the other than temporary impairments due to severity.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the net realized gains or (losses) on investments, including available for sale and trading securities, real estate investments, loans, and derivative instruments. Also includes other-than temporary impairment charges, the provision for loan losses, foreign currency transactions and other charges related to the valuation of these investments in the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

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-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30700-110894

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- Definition

The difference between the book value and the sale price of options, swaps, futures, forward contracts, and other derivative instruments. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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- Definition

This item represents the total realized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of expense related to loss from loan transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.11)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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