Represents the income recognized on life settlement contracts.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LifeSettlementContractsIncome
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

Carrying amount of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face value (death benefits) of the life insurance policies underlying the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

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-Section 50

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42674-111610

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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

Number of life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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- Definition

Amount of life insurance premiums anticipated to be paid in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year to keep the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method in force.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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- Definition

Amount of life insurance premiums anticipated to be paid in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year to keep the life settlement accounted for under the investment method contracts in force.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42708-111610

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of life insurance premiums anticipated to be paid in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year to keep the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method in force.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42708-111610

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- Definition

Amount of life insurance premiums anticipated to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year to keep the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method in force.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42708-111610

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of life insurance premiums anticipated to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year to keep the life settlement contracts accounted for under the investment method in force.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Life Settlement Contract

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516907

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6385267&loc=d3e42708-111610

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Period Type:	instant

INVESTMENTS (Details - Life settlements) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 item	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INVESTMENTS
Income recognized on life settlement contracts	$ 407aig_LifeSettlementContractsIncome	$ 334aig_LifeSettlementContractsIncome	$ 253aig_LifeSettlementContractsIncome
Number of Contracts
Number of Contracts, 0 - 1 year	1
Number of Contracts, 1 - 2 years	12
Number of Contracts, 2 - 3 years	18
Number of Contracts, 3 - 4 years	77
Number of Contracts, 4 - 5 years	152
Number of Contracts, Thereafter	4,687
Total Number of Contracts	4,947
Carrying Value
Carrying Value, 1 to 2 years	9
Carrying Value, 2 to 3 years	11
Carrying Value, 3 to 4 years	42
Carrying Value, 4 to 5 years	205
Carrying Value, Thereafter	3,486
Total of Carrying Value	3,753
Face Value (Death Benefits)
Face Value (Death Benefits), 1 - 2 years	19
Face Value (Death Benefits), 2 - 3 years	19
Face Value (Death Benefits), 3 - 4 years	93
Face Value (Death Benefits), 4 - 5 years	436
Face Value (Death Benefits), Thereafter	15,370
Total of Face Value (Death Benefits)	15,937
Anticipated life insurance premiums
2014	545
2015	562
2016	584
2017	607
2018	$ 627