SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Current and deferred income taxes	$ 14,119	$ 17,802
Deferred policy acquisition costs	8,204	8,937
Other assets	11,698	12,782
Total assets	550,723	552,360
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings	18,170	10,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	10,887	5,153
Total AIG shareholders' equity	101,666	101,538
As Previously Reported
Assets:
Current and deferred income taxes		16,084
Deferred policy acquisition costs		14,026
Other assets		12,824
Total assets		555,773
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings		14,332
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		5,008
Total AIG shareholders' equity		104,951
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Assets:
Current and deferred income taxes		1,718
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(5,089)
Other assets		(42)
Total assets		(3,413)
AIG shareholders' equity:
Retained Earnings		(3,558)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		145
Total AIG shareholders' equity		$ (3,413)