SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Operations:
Total net realized capital gains (losses)	$ 647	$ 607	$ 794	$ (53)
Total revenues	17,648	12,719	53,214	46,838
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	1,191	1,146	3,324	3,366
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,522	1,540	4,341	4,093
Other acquisition and other insurance expenses	2,214	2,067	6,736	6,164
Total benefits, claims and expenses	15,053	16,989	44,284	50,624
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit	2,595	(4,270)	8,930	(3,786)
Income tax expense (benefit)	735	(665)	1,290	(1,187)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	1,860	(3,605)	7,640	(2,599)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)	1	(221)	9	2,327
Net income (loss)	1,861	(3,826)	7,649	(272)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG	1,856	(3,990)	7,396	(857)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders	1,856	(3,990)	7,396	(1,669)
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.13	$ (1.99)	$ 4.21	$ (2.25)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.11)		$ 1.30
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.13	$ (1.99)	$ 4.21	$ (2.25)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.11)		$ 1.30
Reclassification of certain derivative activity		192		110
As Previously Reported
Statement of Operations:
Total net realized capital gains (losses)		604		(63)
Total revenues		12,716		46,828
Interest credited to policyholder account balances		1,134		3,349
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		2,490		5,992
Other acquisition and other insurance expenses		1,214		4,418
Total benefits, claims and expenses		17,074		50,760
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit		(4,358)		(3,932)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(634)		(1,122)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations		(3,724)		(2,810)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)		(221)		1,395
Net income (loss)		(3,945)		(1,415)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG		(4,109)		(2,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders		(4,109)		(2,812)
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ (2.05)		$ (2.37)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.11)		$ 0.78
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ (2.05)		$ (2.37)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.11)		$ 0.78
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts | Effect of Change
Statement of Operations:
Total net realized capital gains (losses)		3		10
Total revenues		3		10
Interest credited to policyholder account balances		12		17
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		(950)		(1,899)
Other acquisition and other insurance expenses		853		1,746
Total benefits, claims and expenses		(85)		(136)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax benefit		88		146
Income tax expense (benefit)		(31)		(65)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations		119		211
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)				932
Net income (loss)		119		1,143
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG		119		1,143
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders		$ 119		$ 1,143
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.06		$ 0.12
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				$ 0.52
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.06		$ 0.12
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				$ 0.52