DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	$ 90,107	$ 97,922
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	4,401	7,047
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	105,735	117,630
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	6,704	9,760
Bifurcated embedded derivatives
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	1,100
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	4
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	27,000	23,000
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	400	1,300
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	119
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	7
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	468
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	6
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	1,054
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	78
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	89,639	97,922
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	4,395	7,047
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	104,562	117,630
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	6,619	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	54,968	63,463
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	4,013	6,479
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	52,688	63,482
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	4,177	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	934	8,325
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	35	104
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	5,427	10,168
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	197	174
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	6,131	4,990
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	257	221
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	29,533	25,626
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	491	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	17	625
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	1	145
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	13	622
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	4	146
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit contracts
Notional amounts and fair values of AIG's derivative instruments
Gross Derivative Assets, Notional Amount	71	70
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	56	60
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	15,608	16,244
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	1,561	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	27,518	20,449
Gross Derivative Assets, Fair Value	33	38
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Notional Amount	1,293	1,488
Gross Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ 189	$ 206