Consolidated Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 477,773
Estimated Fair Value	500,393
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	330,354
Estimated Fair Value	350,889
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	350,889
Foreign government
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	50,923
Estimated Fair Value	57,138
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	57,138
U.S. government and agency
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	53,326
Estimated Fair Value	57,523
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	57,523
Public utilities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	13,783
Estimated Fair Value	15,057
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	15,057
State and political subdivision
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	14,566
Estimated Fair Value	16,176
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	16,176
All other corporate bonds
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	135,199
Estimated Fair Value	141,465
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	141,465
Total bonds
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	267,797
Estimated Fair Value	287,359
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	287,359
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	61,305
Estimated Fair Value	62,142
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	62,142
Redeemable preferred stock
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,252
Estimated Fair Value	1,388
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	1,388
FVO and trading securities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	12,288
Estimated Fair Value	13,923
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	13,923
Equity Securities, Investment Summary [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,744
Estimated Fair Value	3,194
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	3,194
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,730
Estimated Fair Value	2,123
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	2,123
Public utilities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	101
Estimated Fair Value	134
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	134
Banks, trust and insurance companies
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	96
Estimated Fair Value	144
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	144
Non-redeemable preferred stock
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	817
Estimated Fair Value	793
Amount at Which Shown on Balance Sheet	793
Held-for-investment
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	74,545
Estimated Fair Value	74,545
Policy loans
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	11,028
Estimated Fair Value	11,028
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	8,982
Estimated Fair Value	8,982
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	59
Estimated Fair Value	59
Other limited partnership interests
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	6,778
Estimated Fair Value	6,778
Short-term investments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,810
Estimated Fair Value	7,810
Other invested assets
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	23,185
Estimated Fair Value	$ 23,185