NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 AIA Special Purpose Vehicle	Sep. 30, 2012 Redeemable Noncontrolling interests	Sep. 30, 2011 Redeemable Noncontrolling interests	Sep. 30, 2012 Redeemable Noncontrolling interests Department of the Treasury.	Sep. 30, 2011 Redeemable Noncontrolling interests Department of the Treasury.	Sep. 30, 2012 Redeemable Noncontrolling interests Other Minority Interests Holder	Sep. 30, 2011 Redeemable Noncontrolling interests Other Minority Interests Holder	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests	Sep. 30, 2011 Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests	Sep. 30, 2011 Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY)	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests Other Minority Interests Holder	Sep. 30, 2011 Non-redeemable Noncontrolling interests Other Minority Interests Holder
Noncontrolling interests
Gross proceeds received on sale of AIA						$ 5,600,000,000
A rollforward of non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year			855,000,000				8,523,000,000	434,000,000	8,427,000,000		96,000,000	434,000,000	855,000,000	27,920,000,000	26,358,000,000	855,000,000	1,562,000,000
Repurchase of SPV preferred interests in connection with Recapitalization														(26,432,000,000)	(26,432,000,000)
Exchange of consideration for preferred stock in connection with Recapitalization				(20,677,000,000)				20,292,000,000		20,292,000,000
Repayment to Department of the Treasury							(8,635,000,000)	(11,453,000,000)	(8,635,000,000)	(11,453,000,000)
Net contributions (distributions)							59,000,000	(16,000,000)			59,000,000	(16,000,000)	(117,000,000)	(34,000,000)		(117,000,000)	(34,000,000)
Consolidation (deconsolidation)				(123,000,000)			(5,000,000)	(309,000,000)			(5,000,000)	(309,000,000)		(123,000,000)			(123,000,000)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				559,000,000										(487,000,000)			(487,000,000)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	5,000,000	164,000,000	253,000,000	585,000,000			213,000,000	460,000,000	208,000,000	464,000,000	5,000,000	(4,000,000)	40,000,000	125,000,000	74,000,000	40,000,000	51,000,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments							4,000,000				4,000,000		3,000,000	(157,000,000)		3,000,000	(157,000,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments													(7,000,000)	4,000,000		(7,000,000)	4,000,000
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,887,000,000		10,887,000,000		5,153,000,000		4,000,000				4,000,000		(4,000,000)	(153,000,000)		(4,000,000)	(153,000,000)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,000,000	58,000,000	253,000,000	432,000,000			217,000,000	460,000,000	208,000,000	464,000,000	9,000,000	(4,000,000)	36,000,000	(28,000,000)	74,000,000	36,000,000	(102,000,000)
Other													(26,000,000)	(45,000,000)		(26,000,000)	(45,000,000)
Balance, end of period	$ 748,000,000		$ 748,000,000				$ 159,000,000	$ 9,408,000,000		$ 9,303,000,000	$ 159,000,000	$ 105,000,000	$ 748,000,000	$ 771,000,000		$ 748,000,000	$ 771,000,000