Segment Information (Total Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 877,933	$ 902,337
Separate account assets	301,598	316,994
Separate account liabilities	301,598	316,994
Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	347,257	359,188
Separate account assets	159,782	171,726
Separate account liabilities	159,782	171,726
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	46,476	46,483
Separate account assets	638	669
Separate account liabilities	638	669
Corporate Benefit Funding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	225,015	228,543
Separate account assets	82,157	81,150
Separate account liabilities	82,157	81,150
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	65,266	72,259
Separate account assets	46,061	50,301
Separate account liabilities	46,061	50,301
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	113,895	117,894
Separate account assets	8,964	9,078
Separate account liabilities	8,964	9,078
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	26,767	29,217
Separate account assets	3,996	4,070
Separate account liabilities	3,996	4,070
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	53,257	48,753
Separate account assets	0	0
Separate account liabilities	$ 0	$ 0