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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Common Stock Issued [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 1,347,540 | 1,345,762 | 1,342,498
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares | 1,769 | 1,778 | 3,264
Balance, end of period | 1,349,309 | 1,347,540 | 1,345,762
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance, beginning of period | 592,254 | 564,852 | 530,877
Exercise of stock options | (1,584) | (1,874) | (5,766)
Balance, end of period | 622,516 | 592,254 | 564,852
Shares outstanding, end of period | 726,793 | 755,286 | 780,910
Treasury Stock |  |  |
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Stock acquired under share repurchase program, shares | 31,994 | 28,949 | 35,510
Other purchases | 592 | 392 | 1,018
Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan | (1,610) | (1,306) | (1,782)
Exercise of stock options | (418) | (519) | (734)
Other dispositions | (296) | (114) | (37)

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- Definition Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Number of shares issued during the period from a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). A dividend reinvestment plan allows the shareholders to reinvest dividends paid to them by the entity on new issues of stock by the entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644 + Details
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