Segment Information (Total Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 890,903	$ 885,296
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	354,461	349,516
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	44,346	43,404
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	223,163	220,612
Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	71,778	69,874
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	121,088	119,717
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	30,522	33,382
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 45,545	$ 48,791