INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH OUTSTANDING DEBT (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - continuing operations	$ (777)	$ (494)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations	628	588
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(149)	94
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of investments	17,134	26,172
Purchase of investments	(18,169)	(16,869)
Net change in restricted cash	(8)	(561)
Net change in short-term investments	5,721	1,480
Other, net	(291)	(463)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	4,387	9,759
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations	(423)	222
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,964	9,981
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	131	2,230
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,861)	(1,994)
Purchase of Common Stock		(3,000)
Other, net	(766)	(7,711)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	(3,496)	(10,475)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations	(222)	243
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(3,718)	(10,232)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(36)	(2)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	61	(159)
Cash at beginning of period	1,151	1,474
Reclassification to assets held for sale	15
Cash at end of period	1,227	1,315
Interest:
Third party	(983)	(939)
Taxes:
Income tax authorities	(103)	(97)
AIG
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - continuing operations	(951)	(1,012)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(951)	(1,012)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of investments	556	764
Purchase of investments	(2,448)
Loans to subsidiaries - net	1,710	3,866
Contributions to subsidiaries - net	(30)	(168)
Net change in restricted cash		(560)
Net change in short-term investments	3,255	1,450
Other, net	180	106
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	3,223	5,458
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,223	5,458
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt		1,996
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,149)	(1,339)
Intercompany loans - net	97	(2,187)
Purchase of Common Stock		(3,000)
Other, net	(243)	(6)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	(2,295)	(4,536)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,295)	(4,536)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(23)	(90)
Cash at beginning of period	81	176
Cash at end of period	58	86
Interest:
Third party	(434)	(398)
Intercompany	(4)	(128)
Taxes:
Income tax authorities		2
Intercompany	210	145
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
Capital contributions in the form of bond available for sale securities		959
Return of capital and dividend received in the form of cancellation of intercompany loan		9,303
Return of capital and dividend received in the form of bond trading securities		3,320
Other capital contributions - net	118	187
AIGLH
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - continuing operations	1,243	1,352
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,243	1,352
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(245)
Intercompany loans - net	(93)	(1,365)
Cash dividends paid	(978)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	(1,316)	(1,365)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,316)	(1,365)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(73)	(13)
Cash at beginning of period	73	13
Interest:
Third party	(44)	(44)
Intercompany	(13)	(32)
Other Subsidiaries and Eliminations
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - continuing operations	(1,069)	(834)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations	628	588
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(441)	(246)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of investments	16,578	25,408
Purchase of investments	(15,721)	(16,869)
Loans to subsidiaries - net	(1,710)	(3,866)
Contributions to subsidiaries - net	30	168
Net change in restricted cash	(8)	(1)
Net change in short-term investments	2,466	30
Other, net	(471)	(569)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	1,164	4,301
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations	(423)	222
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	741	4,523
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	131	234
Repayments of long-term debt	(467)	(655)
Intercompany loans - net	(4)	3,552
Cash dividends paid	978
Other, net	(523)	(7,705)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	115	(4,574)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations	(222)	243
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(107)	(4,331)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(36)	(2)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	157	(56)
Cash at beginning of period	997	1,285
Reclassification to assets held for sale	15
Cash at end of period	1,169	1,229
Interest:
Third party	(505)	(497)
Intercompany	17	160
Taxes:
Income tax authorities	(103)	(99)
Intercompany	$ (132)	$ (145)