CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
Net gains (losses) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 213	$ 460

The portion of net income (loss) attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests (if any) deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent.

No definition available.

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