<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-12-007463.txt : 20120222
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-12-007463.hdr.sgml : 20120222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120222180429
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-12-007463
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120222

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Gluski Andres
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001348876

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12291
		FILM NUMBER:		12631499

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 WILSON BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22203

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874761
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COGENERATION SERVICES & SMALL POWER PRODUCERS [4991]
		IRS NUMBER:				541163725
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 WILSON BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7035221315

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 WILSON BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22203

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AES CORPORATION
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
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<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0304</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-02-17</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874761</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AES</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001348876</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Gluski Andres</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4300 WILSON BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ARLINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>22203</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>62044</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>286447</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>49916</value>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.70</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>332596</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14767</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.70</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>245665</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-02-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>245665</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>245665</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8862</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.70</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8862</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>46946</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This restricted stock unit award (&quot;RSU&quot;) was granted pursuant to The AES Corporation 2003 Long Term Compensation Plan and will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 17, 2013, if certain continuing employment conditions are satisfied. If such conditions are satisfied, each RSU entitles the holder to one share of AES Common Stock for each RSU granted.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents vesting of 2009 Performance Stock Units granted under the Issuer's 2003 Long Term Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Reflects tax withholding in connection with settlement of one-third previously reported 2011 RSU award.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">This includes an 8% (of base salary) discretionary retirement savings award granted pursuant to The AES Retirement Savings Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;) as determined by The AES Corporation Board of Directors on February 17, 2012 subject to applicable IRS contribution limits.  The closing stock price on February 17, 2012 was used to determine the number of shares awarded.  Between January 4, 2012 and February 17, 2012, this reporting person acquired an additional 254 shares of AES Common stock under the Plan, which are included in this amount.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">This stock option award was granted pursuant to The AES Corporation 2003 Long Term Compensation Plan and will vest in three equal annual installments if certain continuing employment conditions are satisfied.  If such conditions are satisfied, the first installment becomes exercisable on February 17, 2013, and the next two installments become exercisable on February 17, 2014 and February 17, 2015, respectively.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">These units were awarded pursuant to the Restoration Supplemental Retirement Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  Generally, units under the Plan shall be paid out in cash following termination of employment or later as per the terms of the Plan document.  Each unit represents a hypothetical AES investment equal to one share of AES Common Stock and units under the Plan are 100% vested upon award.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Andres Ricardo Gluski</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-02-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
