SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 segment	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment results
Number of reportable segments			3
Total revenues	$ 17,648	$ 12,719	$ 53,214	$ 46,838
Pre-tax income (loss)	2,595	(4,270)	8,930	(3,786)
Commercial Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	5,975	6,402	17,991	18,905
Pre-tax income (loss)	321	405	1,480	650
Consumer Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	3,582	3,523	10,758	10,439
Pre-tax income (loss)	152	21	578	(175)
Other
Segment results
Total revenues	592	260	1,218	939
Pre-tax income (loss)	476	125	762	528
Total AIG Property Casualty
Segment results
Total revenues	10,149	10,185	29,967	30,283
Pre-tax income (loss)	949	551	2,820	1,003
Life Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	2,663	2,134	7,306	6,242
Pre-tax income (loss)	553	472	1,714	1,174
Retirement Services
Segment results
Total revenues	1,867	1,448	5,133	5,075
Pre-tax income (loss)	336	(126)	814	905
Total AIG Life and Retirement
Segment results
Total revenues	4,530	3,582	12,439	11,317
Pre-tax income (loss)	889	346	2,528	2,079
Aircraft Leasing
Segment results
Total revenues	1,146	1,106	3,421	3,366
Pre-tax income (loss)	40	(1,329)	246	(1,122)
Other Operations
Segment results
Total revenues	2,213	(2,433)	8,085	1,864
Pre-tax income (loss)	891	(3,945)	3,511	(5,855)
Mortgage Guaranty
Segment results
Total revenues	218	246	642	716
Pre-tax income (loss)	6	(82)	62	(68)
Global Capital Markets
Segment results
Total revenues	235	(130)	405	151
Pre-tax income (loss)	190	(187)	253	(66)
Direct Investment Book
Segment results
Total revenues	506	159	1,434	758
Pre-tax income (loss)	406	103	1,139	586
Retained Interests
Segment results
Total revenues	857	(3,246)	4,717	(743)
Pre-tax income (loss)	857	(3,246)	4,717	(743)
Corporate and Other
Segment results
Total revenues	412	561	925	1,030
Pre-tax income (loss)	(566)	(523)	(2,659)	(5,538)
Other Operations, consolidation and eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(15)	(23)	(38)	(48)
Pre-tax income (loss)	(2)	(10)	(1)	(26)
Consolidation and Eliminations
Segment results
Total revenues	(390)	279	(698)	8
Pre-tax income (loss)	$ (174)	$ 107	$ (175)	$ 109