XML 64 R52.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments Gain (Loss) Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period |  | $ (58) | $ 195 | $ 325 | $ 1,783
Derivative gains (losses) |  | (40) | (107) | (143) | (278)
Derivative and non-derivative hedging instruments gain loss recognized in other comprehensive income effective portion before tax | [1] | 3 | 1 | (34) | (189)
Cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | (1) | 0 | 0 | 11
Cash flow hedges | Foreign currency swaps |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | (1) | 0 | 0 | 11
Fair value hedges |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | (67) | (202) | (140) | (301)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Fair value hedges | Foreign currency forwards |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) | [2] | (53) | (198) | (133) | (303)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1],[2] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Fair value hedges | Foreign currency options |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) | [2] | (14) | (4) | (7) | 2
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1],[2] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Net investment hedge |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period | [1] | 4 | 1 | (34) | (200)
Net investment hedge | Non-derivative hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period | [1] | 5 | (2) | (13) | (39)
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency forwards |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period | [1] | 4 | (28) | (24) | (161)
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency options |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period | [1] | (5) | 31 | 3 | 0
Non-qualifying strategies |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net |  | 27 | 95 | (3) | 22
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency swaps |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net |  | 17 | (51) | 43 | (145)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency forwards |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net |  | 10 | 144 | (46) | 165
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Non-qualifying strategies | Credit default swaps |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net |  | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | [1] | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0
[1] | Cash flow hedge items are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and net investment hedge items are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).
[2] | Impact shown net of effect of hedged items (see Fair Value Hedges section of this Note 4 for further detail)

X
- Definition Derivative and non-derivative hedging instruments gain loss recognized in other comprehensive income effective portion before tax + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | afl_Derivativeandnonderivativehedginginstrumentsgainlossrecognizedinothercomprehensiveincomeeffectiveportionbeforetax
Namespace Prefix: | afl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5618551-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments representing (a) the amount of the hedge ineffectiveness and (b) the amount, if any, excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(1),(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5618551-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount before tax, after reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 35 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82918529&loc=d3e30304-110892 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph (b,d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64808268&loc=d3e32211-110900 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=SL7669646-108580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_FairValueHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=afl_NonDerivativeHedgingInstrumentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |