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Schedule II - Income Taxes Schedule II Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | $ 4,298,770
Income Tax Examination, Penalties and Interest Accrued | $ 3,650,000 |
Percentage Of Notional Federal Tax Liability | 25.00% |
Tolling Payment Payable to AFG |  | 70,911
TierABCCredit |  | 5,000
TierACreditUsage |  | 10,000
UNITED STATES |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | 129,048
United Kingdom [Member] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | 14,936
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | 4,154,786
Ambac Assurance [Member] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
AACNetTaxableIncome |  | 877,313
AACNetTaxableIncomeFromTierA |  | 479,000
AACNetTaxableIncomeFromTierB |  | 398,313
AFG [Member] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | 1,382,109
Tier B [Member] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards |  | $ 1,057,000

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