TOTAL EQUITY (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			$ 5,153
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(6,463)		(6,463)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments	3,402	(905)	6,597	(380)
Total, Other-Than-Temporary Impairments in AOCI	(906)	266	(1,937)	(271)
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments	258	(704)	(167)	(1,253)
Change in net derivative gains (losses) arising from cash flow hedging activities	3	14	11	45
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(1,490)	(763)	(2,710)	(231)
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(409)	82	(810)	(166)
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(1,071)	(1,103)	(1,980)	(574)
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(18)	122	71	442
Deferred tax asset (liability)	(1)	(71)	14	(31)
Deferred tax asset (liability)	9	207	(5)	98
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,099	(3,170)	5,734	(1,836)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	497	(184)	1,127	105
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,331	(2,008)	4,617	(954)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	240	(582)	(96)	(811)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2	(57)	25	14
Other comprehensive income (loss)	29	(339)	61	(190)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(559)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	10,887		10,887
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			5,153	7,624
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(81)		(81)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments			9,946	5,756
Change in deferred acquisition costs adjustment and other			(903)	(580)
Change in future policy benefits			(509)	(1,665)
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments			(167)	428
Change in net derivative gains (losses) arising from cash flow hedging activities			11	45
Net actuarial gain (loss)			102	(943)
Prior service credit			(36)	395
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				(5,041)
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(2,710)	(231)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			5,734	(1,836)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				88
Noncontrolling interests				(153)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	10,887	5,948	10,887	5,948
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Fixed Maturity Investments on Which Other-Than-Temporary Credit Impairments Were Taken
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(736)	(659)
Total, Other-Than-Temporary Impairments in AOCI			2,045	149
Change in deferred acquisition costs adjustment and other			(37)	99
Change in future policy benefits			(71)
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				23
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(810)	(166)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			1,127	105
Noncontrolling interests				3
Balance, end of period, net of tax	391	(557)	391	(557)
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of All Other Investments
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			7,891	8,888
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments			7,901	5,607
Change in deferred acquisition costs adjustment and other			(866)	(679)
Change in future policy benefits			(438)	(1,665)
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				(3,643)
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(1,980)	(574)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			4,617	(954)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				43
Noncontrolling interests			7	(160)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	12,501	8,420	12,501	8,420
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of All Other Investments | Increases (decreases) from previously reported amounts | New Accounting Pronouncement - Other-than-temporary Impairments
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		283		283
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(1,028)	298
Changes in foreign currency translation adjustments			(167)	428
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				(1,681)
Deferred tax asset (liability)			71	442
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(96)	(811)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				62
Noncontrolling interests			(7)	4
Balance, end of period, net of tax	(1,117)	(819)	(1,117)	(819)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | Increases (decreases) from previously reported amounts | New Accounting Pronouncement - Other-than-temporary Impairments
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		(364)		(364)
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Arising From Cash Flow Hedging Activities
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(17)	(34)
Change in net derivative gains (losses) arising from cash flow hedging activities			11	45
Deferred tax asset (liability)			14	(31)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			25	14
Balance, end of period, net of tax	8	(20)	8	(20)
Change in Retirement Plan Liabilities Adjustment
A rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax			(957)	(869)
Net actuarial gain (loss)			102	(943)
Prior service credit			(36)	395
Change attributable to divestitures and deconsolidations				260
Deferred tax asset (liability)			(5)	98
Other comprehensive income (loss)			61	(190)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(17)
Balance, end of period, net of tax	$ (896)	$ (1,076)	$ (896)	$ (1,076)