DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 102,780	$ 106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	8,765	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	127,217	125,062
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	11,070	12,097
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	19,300	18,300
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	800	900
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	438	481
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	32	38
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	30	180
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	102,780	106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	8,765	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	126,749	124,401
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	11,038	12,058
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	71,305	72,660
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,527	8,286
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	76,753	73,248
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	6,512	6,870
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	1,935	3,278
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	38	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	3,177	3,399
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	165	178
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	5,266	4,748
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	286	263
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	20,184	18,911
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,023	1,126
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	685	691
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	155	136
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	655	861
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	156	146
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	436	407
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	65	89
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	23,778	25,857
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	2,771	3,366
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	23,153	24,305
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	694	741
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	2,202	2,125
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 411	$ 372