DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 93,940	$ 97,922
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	6,412	7,047
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	104,339	117,630
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	8,848	9,760
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	22,000	23,000
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,000	1,300
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	344
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	5
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	298
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	25
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	93,596	97,922
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	6,407	7,047
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	104,041	117,630
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	8,823	9,760
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	63,239	63,463
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	5,835	6,479
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	58,739	63,482
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	5,395	5,806
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	3,275	8,325
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	76	104
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	2,825	10,168
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	103	174
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	5,596	4,990
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	252	221
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	24,714	25,626
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,160	1,377
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	620	625
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	147	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	615	622
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	148	146
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	70	70
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	59	60
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	15,763	16,244
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,834	2,051
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	20,796	20,449
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	38	38
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	1,385	1,488
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 183	$ 206