Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 Segment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of segments | Segment		6
Corporate Benefit Funding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ (13)		$ (39)
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	(10)		(32)
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	(33)		15
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	149		302
Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	86		135
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	(111)		(200)
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	4		10
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	(2)		2
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	(30)		(79)
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	(16)		(46)
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	4		14
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	3		5
Europe, Middle East And Africa Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	(18)		(56)
Prior Period Adjustment To Operating Earnings Tax Expense	$ (13)		$ (31)