Name:	aig_ApproximatePercentageOfEquityOwnershipOfEntityAllegedlyReceivedByDepartmentOfTreasury
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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The number of cases that have proceeded and settled.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LossContingencyNumberOfCasesProceededAndSettled
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of funds that are plaintiffs in similar actions, which have not been consolidated in this litigation.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffsFunds
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of states participating in multi-state examination of certain accident and health products issued by a subsidiary.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LossContingencyNumberOfStatesParticipatingInAccidentAndHealthProductsExamination
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of civil penalty paid by entity as per the consent order passed under the multi-state examination of certain accident and health products, including travel products.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LossContingencyRegulatorySettlementAgreementCivilPenaltyPaid
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The number of jurisdictions which agreed to the settlement agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_LossContingencyRegulatorySettlementAgreementNumberOfJurisdictions
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of shareholders who have opted into the class.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_NumberOfShareholdersWhoOptedIntoTheClass
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount the entity has committed to invest in limited partnerships, private equities, hedge funds and mutual funds, and to purchase and develop real estate in the U.S. and abroad.

No definition available.

Name:	aig_OtherCommitmentsAmount
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of increase (decrease) in loss contingency liability.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyInformationAboutLitigationMattersAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

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

The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aig_ChartisUSMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=aig_RegulatoryfinesandpenaltiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=aig_OutstandingpremiumtaxesandassessmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=aig_ContingentfinesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=aig_Consolidated2008SecuritiesLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: