Other Expenses (Other Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease resulting from prior period tax positions		$ 792
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	$ (25)	965	$ 480	$ 1,855
Other expenses	3,928	4,533	11,366	12,665
Compensation	1,101	1,157	3,600	3,706
Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs	80	100	323	297
Commissions	1,049	1,103	3,277	3,382
Volume-related costs	214	264	694	761
Capitalization of DAC	(863)	(955)	(2,759)	(2,850)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	1,017	1,131	2,133	3,053
Amortization of negative VOBA	(55)	(90)	(221)	(282)
Interest expense on debt	292	302	910	908
Premium taxes, licenses and fees	187	199	591	568
Professional services	373	366	1,101	1,079
Rent and related expenses, net of sublease income	90	78	285	245
Other (1)	443	878	1,432	1,798
Total other expenses	$ 3,928	4,533	$ 11,366	$ 12,665
Possible Change in Tax Assessment
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		557
Other expenses		362
Net amount of other expense charge		235
Total other expenses		$ 362