DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 97,414	$ 106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,872	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	114,842	125,062
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	10,959	12,097
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	22,000	18,300
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,300	900
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	366	481
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	24	38
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount		180
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	97,414	106,089
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,872	9,660
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	114,476	124,401
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	10,935	12,058
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	66,896	72,660
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	7,285	8,286
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	68,939	73,248
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	6,522	6,870
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	5,080	3,278
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	53	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	2,969	3,399
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	166	178
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	5,546	4,748
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	264	263
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	22,714	18,911
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,479	1,126
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	633	691
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	142	136
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	626	861
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	143	146
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	167	407
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	60	89
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	17,618	25,857
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	2,349	3,366
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments:
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	19,092	24,305
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	68	741
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	1,610	2,125
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 276	$ 372