SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013 segment	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 segment
Segment results
Number of reportable segments				2
Total revenues	$ 14,826		$ 16,722	$ 48,029	$ 50,440
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,179		2,558	7,158	8,693
Reportable segment | Total AIG Property Casualty
Segment results
Total revenues	9,608		10,149	29,333	29,967
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,029		949	3,801	2,820
Reportable segment | Total AIG Property Casualty | Operating segments | Commercial Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	5,760		5,927	17,229	17,871
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	610		371	2,186	1,761
Reportable segment | Total AIG Property Casualty | Operating segments | Consumer Insurance
Segment results
Total revenues	3,359		3,582	10,212	10,758
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	93		152	337	578
Reportable segment | Total AIG Property Casualty | Other
Segment results
Total revenues	489		640	1,892	1,338
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	326		426	1,278	481
Reportable segment | Total AIG Life and Retirement
Segment results
Number of operating segments		2				2
Total revenues	4,644		4,747	15,432	13,077
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,241		889	4,530	2,528
Reportable segment | Total AIG Life and Retirement | Operating segments | Retail
Segment results
Total revenues	2,884		2,747	9,326	7,647
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	941		531	3,114	1,356
Reportable segment | Total AIG Life and Retirement | Operating segments | Institutional
Segment results
Total revenues	1,760		2,000	6,106	5,430
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	300		358	1,416	1,172
AIG Consolidation and elimination
Segment results
Total revenues	(104)		(387)	(413)	(689)
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	34		(171)	96	(166)
Other Operations
Segment results
Total revenues	678		2,213	3,677	8,085
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,125)		891	(1,269)	3,511
Other Operations | Mortgage Guaranty
Segment results
Total revenues	236		218	710	642
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	43		6	162	62
Other Operations | Global Capital Markets
Segment results
Total revenues	87		235	592	405
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	29		190	431	253
Other Operations | Direct Investment Book
Segment results
Total revenues	147		506	1,373	1,434
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	52		406	1,084	1,139
Other Operations | Retained Interests
Segment results
Total revenues			857		4,717
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations			857		4,717
Other Operations | Corporate and Other
Segment results
Total revenues	217		412	1,030	925
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,250)		(566)	(2,949)	(2,659)
Other Operations | Consolidation and elimination of reconciling items
Segment results
Total revenues	(9)		(15)	(28)	(38)
Pre-tax Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 1		$ (2)	$ 3	$ (1)