Segment Information (Total Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 822,643	$ 836,781
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	342,665	332,387
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	43,648	44,138
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	218,819	217,352
Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	24,116	23,272
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	119,742	131,138
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	24,203	23,474
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 49,450	$ 65,020