EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator for EPS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 2,172	$ 1,824	$ 7,035	$ 7,369
Less: Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Nonvoting, callable, junior and senior preferred interests				208
Other	(40)	5	12	45
Total net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(40)	5	12	253
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG from continuing operations	2,212	1,819	7,023	7,116
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG from discontinued operations, applicable to common stock for EPS	(42)	37	84	280
Net income (loss) attributable to AIG common shareholders from continuing operations, applicable to common stock for EPS	$ 2,170	$ 1,856	$ 7,107	$ 7,396
Denominator for EPS:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,475,053,126	1,642,472,814	1,476,007,034	1,757,955,937
Dilutive shares	10,269,732	29,437	5,403,839	28,217
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	1,485,322,858	1,642,502,251	1,481,410,873	1,757,984,154
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 1.11	$ 4.76	$ 4.05
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 0.16
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIG - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.47	$ 1.13	$ 4.82	$ 4.21
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.11	$ 4.74	$ 4.05
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02	$ 0.06	$ 0.16
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIG - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.13	$ 4.80	$ 4.21
Number of shares, warrants, and options excluded from diluted shares outstanding because the effect would have been anti-dilutive	400,000	78,000,000	51,000,000	78,000,000