SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 segment	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment results
Number of reportable segments	2
Total revenues	$ 15,975	$ 16,163
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	3,776	2,273
Changes in fair values of fixed maturity securities designated to hedge living benefit liabilities, net of interest expense
Segment results
Total revenues	44	76
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	44	76
Changes in benefit reserves and DAC, VOBA and SIA related to net realized capital gains
Segment results
Total revenues	0	0
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(54)	7
Other income (expense) - net
Segment results
Total revenues	0	0
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Segment results
Total revenues	0	0
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(68)	(238)
Net realized capital gains (losses)
Segment results
Total revenues	1,341	(152)
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,341	(152)
Income from divested businesses
Segment results
Total revenues	(15)	1,113
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(21)	21
Legal settlements related to legacy crisis matters
Segment results
Total revenues	15	26
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	15	26
Legal reserves related to legacy crisis matters
Segment results
Total revenues	0	0
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(8)	(23)
Total AIG Consolidated revenues and pre-tax operating income
Segment results
Total revenues	14,590	15,100
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	2,527	2,556
Reportable Segments | Property Casualty
Segment results
Total revenues	5,956	6,112
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,170	1,116
Reportable Segments | Mortgage Guaranty
Segment results
Total revenues	264	248
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	145	76
Reportable Segments | Institutional Markets
Segment results
Total revenues	624	695
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	147	229
Reportable Segments | Retirement
Segment results
Total revenues	2,388	2,485
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	800	915
Reportable Segments | Life
Segment results
Total revenues	1,613	1,610
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	171	235
Reportable Segments | Personal Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	2,862	3,064
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(26)	18
Operating Segments | Commercial Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	6,844	7,055
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,462	1,421
Operating Segments | Consumer Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	6,863	7,159
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	945	1,168
Consolidation and Eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(127)	(82)
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(18)	35
Corporate and Other
Segment results
Total revenues	1,010	968
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	138	(68)
Corporate and Other | Direct Investment Book
Segment results
Total revenues	178	519
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	145	440
Corporate and Other | Global Capital Markets
Segment results
Total revenues	137	59
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	114	29
Corporate and Other | Run-off Insurance Lines
Segment results
Total revenues	0	0
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	0	0
Corporate and Other | AIG Parent and other
Segment results
Total revenues	968	523
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(120)	(538)
Corporate and Other | Aircraft Leasing
Segment results
Total revenues	0	0
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	0	0
Corporate and Other | Consolidation and elimination
Segment results
Total revenues	(273)	(133)
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (1)	$ 1