Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Policy-Related Intangibles (DAC and VOBA by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 24,130	$ 24,442	$ 26,706
Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	11,850	11,963	12,882
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	365	377	382
Corporate Benefit Funding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	111	111	99
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,880	2,063	2,227
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	8,374	8,217	9,077
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,532	1,709	2,039
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 18	$ 2	$ 0