EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator for EPS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 2,138	$ 3,385
Less: Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Nonvoting, callable, junior and senior preferred interests		208
Other	25	33
Total net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	25	241
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG from continuing operations	2,113	3,144
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG from discontinued operations, applicable to common stock for EPS	93	64
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders from continuing operations, applicable to common stock for EPS	$ 2,206	$ 3,208
Denominator for EPS:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,476,471,097	1,875,972,970
Dilutive shares	207,834	29,805
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	1,476,678,931	1,876,002,775
Basic and diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.43	$ 1.68
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.03
Income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.43	$ 1.68
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.03
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIG - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.71
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIG - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.71
Number of shares, warrants, and options excluded from diluted shares outstanding because the effect would have been anti-dilutive	77,000,000	78,000,000