Investments (Net Investment Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Less: Investment expenses	$ 299	$ 287	$ 575	$ 587
Subtotal	5,259	5,282	10,294	11,359
Securities	1	2	1	2
Securities Investment [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	5,248	5,219	10,472	10,520
Subtotal	4,949	4,932	9,897	9,933
Debt Securities [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	3,758	3,709	7,411	7,535
Equity Securities [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	37	36	67	60
Actively traded securities and FVO general account securities [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	44	(11)	81	10
Changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income	14	(24)	25	(14)
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	708	716	1,417	1,454
Policy Loans [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	158	152	315	307
Real Estate Investment [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	262	243	479	436
Partnership Interest [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	206	275	535	521
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	41	45	88	94
International Joint Venture [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	3	5	3	(9)
Other Investments [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	31	49	76	112
Consolidated Securitization Entities And Fair Value Option Contractholder-Directed Unit-Linked [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	310	350	397	1,426
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	295	314	360	1,353
Changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income	138	123	81	1,078
Commercial Loan [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Subtotal	$ 14	$ 34	$ 36	$ 71