Business Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	$ 771,483	$ 730,906
US Business Insurance Products [Member] | Total US Business [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	143,626	141,366
US Business Retirement Products [Member] | Total US Business [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	189,411	177,045
US Business Corporate Benefit Funding [Member] | Total US Business [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	187,041	172,929
US Business Auto & Home [Member] | Total US Business [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	5,865	5,541
Total US Business [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	525,943	496,881
Total International [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	168,749	164,995
Total International [Member] | International Japan [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	98,803	87,416
Total International [Member] | International Other Regions [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	69,946	77,579
Banking, Corporate & Other [Member]
Business Segment Asset Information
Total assets	$ 76,791	$ 69,030