Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 3,449	$ 1,501
Income from discontinued operations	(13)	(2,585)
Noncash revenues, expenses, gains and losses included in income:
Net (gains) losses on sales of securities available for sale and other assets	(930)	129
Net losses on extinguishment of debt	21	3,313
Unrealized gains in earnings - net	(3,630)	(2,139)
Equity in income from equity method investments, net of dividends or distributions	(225)	(482)
Depreciation and other amortization	1,720	1,852
Impairments of assets	741	445
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
General and life insurance reserves	271	5,824
Premiums and other receivables and payables - net	(50)	(676)
Reinsurance assets and funds held under reinsurance treaties	(1,059)	(4,049)
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(1,417)	(1,337)
Other policyholder funds	(128)	(104)
Current and deferred income taxes - net	1,050	(611)
Trading securities	(118)	278
Payment of FRBNY Credit Facility accrued compounded interest and fees		(6,363)
Other, net	207	(1,538)
Total adjustments	(3,547)	(5,458)
Net cash used in operating activities - continuing operations	(111)	(6,542)
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations		1,230
Net cash used in operating activities	(111)	(5,312)
Proceeds from (payments for)
Sales of available for sale investments	10,750	11,665
Maturities of fixed maturity securities available for sale and hybrid investments	4,865	4,305
Sales of trading securities	3,067	6,987
Sales or distributions of other invested assets (including flight equipment)	6,799	2,671
Principal payments received on and sales of mortgage and other loans receivable	715	759
Purchases of available for sale investments	(14,500)	(19,456)
Purchases of trading securities	(379)	(199)
Purchases of other invested assets (including flight equipment)	(1,720)	(1,488)
Mortgage and other loans receivable issued and purchased	(794)	(403)
Net change in restricted cash	(531)	26,280
Net change in short-term investments	2,172	4,180
Net change in derivative assets and liabilities other than AIGFP	(136)	79
Other, net	(122)	32
Net cash provided by investing activities - continuing operations	10,186	35,412
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations		4,205
Net cash provided by investing activities	10,186	39,617
Proceeds from (payments for)
Policyholder contract deposits	3,510	4,804
Policyholder contract withdrawals	(3,930)	(3,684)
Federal Reserve Bank of New York credit facility repayments		(14,622)
Issuance of long-term debt	4,769	183
Repayments of long-term debt	(4,264)	(3,894)
Proceeds from drawdown on the Department of the Treasury Commitment		20,292
Repayment of Department of the Treasury SPV Preferred Interests	(8,636)	(9,146)
Repayment of Federal Reserve Bank of New York SPV Preferred Interests		26,432
Issuance of Common Stock		723
Purchase of Common Stock	(3,000)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(14)	(533)
Other, net	1,333	(539)
Net cash used in financing activities - continuing operations	(10,232)	(32,848)
Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations		(1,637)
Net cash used in financing activities	(10,232)	(34,485)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2)	23
Net decrease in cash	(159)	(157)
Cash at beginning of period	1,474	1,558
Change in cash of businesses held for sale		400
Cash at end of period	$ 1,315	$ 1,801