SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 segment	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment results
Number of reportable segments	3
Total revenues	$ 18,443	$ 17,439
Pre-tax income (loss)	4,584	(1,310)
Chartis
Segment results
Total revenues	9,798	9,880
Pre-tax income (loss)	910	(374)
Commercial Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	5,929	6,066
Pre-tax income (loss)	565	(384)
Consumer Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	3,612	3,434
Pre-tax income (loss)	234	(255)
Other
Segment results
Total revenues	257	380
Pre-tax income (loss)	111	265
Total Chartis Operating Segments
Segment results
Total revenues	9,798	9,880
Pre-tax income (loss)	910	(374)
SunAmerica Financial Group
Segment results
Total revenues	3,696	3,839
Pre-tax income (loss)	862	967
Total SunAmerica Operating Segments
Segment results
Total revenues	3,696	3,839
Pre-tax income (loss)	862	967
Domestic Life Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	2,159	1,962
Pre-tax income (loss)	488	333
Domestic Retirement Services
Segment results
Total revenues	1,537	1,877
Pre-tax income (loss)	374	634
Aircraft Leasing
Segment results
Total revenues	1,154	1,159
Pre-tax income (loss)	120	120
Other Operations
Segment results
Total revenues	4,003	2,732
Pre-tax income (loss)	2,736	(1,997)
Mortgage Guaranty
Segment results
Total revenues	200	238
Pre-tax income (loss)	8	8
Global Capital Markets
Segment results
Total revenues	160	386
Pre-tax income (loss)	88	290
Direct Investment Book
Segment results
Total revenues	344	463
Pre-tax income (loss)	248	410
Retained Interests
Segment results
Total revenues	3,047	1,649
Pre-tax income (loss)	3,047	1,649
Corporate and Other
Segment results
Total revenues	262	11
Pre-tax income (loss)	(658)	(4,347)
Other Operations, consolidation and eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(10)	(15)
Pre-tax income (loss)	3	(7)
Operating Segments
Segment results
Total revenues	18,651	17,610
Pre-tax income (loss)	4,628	(1,284)
Consolidation and Eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(208)	(171)
Pre-tax income (loss)	$ (44)	$ (26)