A deal would help AIG in its quest to repay taxpayers, owed more than $90 billion from a government bailout. As for Prudential, analysts have long considered the big U.S. insurer a logical buyer of the two outfits, known as AIG Star Life Insurance Co. and AIG Edison Life Insurance Co.
Newark, N.J.-based Prudential, not related to the U.K.'s Prudential PLC, has significant operations in Japan, and it has publicly stated its interest in expanding there.
A pact is believed to be a few days away from completion, the people said. They added that discussions are fluid and last-minute snags could derail any deal.