Represents the unamortized amount of deferred bonus interest and deferred sales inducement assets.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amortization expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of capitalized costs associated with deferred bonus interest and deferred sales inducement assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period of amortization of prepaid commitment fee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the unamortized prepaid commitment fee as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aig_LineOfCreditFacilityUnamortizedPrepaidCommitmentFee
Namespace Prefix:	aig_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.14)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 14

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other assets
Prepaid commitment fee asset amortization period (in years)	5
Unamortized prepaid commitment fee asset		$ 3,600,000,000
Deferred bonus interest and deferred sales inducement assets	803,000,000	915,000,000
Amortization expense associated with deferred bonus interest and deferred sales inducement assets	239,000,000	146,000,000	123,000,000
Real estate and other fixed assets
Accumulated depreciation, real estate and other fixed assets	$ 3,800,000,000	$ 3,600,000,000
Buildings
Real estate and other fixed assets
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	40
Furniture and equipment
Real estate and other fixed assets
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	10
Software Development
Real estate and other fixed assets
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	5