Investments (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	$ (739,000,000)		$ (739,000,000)		$ (601,000,000)	$ (859,000,000)
U.S. and corporate fixed maturity securities exposure to any single issuer in excess of a stated percentage of total investments	1.00%		1.00%		1.00%
U.S. and foreign corporate fixed maturity securities exposure amount to any single issuer in excess of 1% than a stated percentage of total investments	0		0		0
Increase Decrease In Debt Securities And Equity Securities With Gross Unrealized Loss Greater Than Ten Million Dollars			228,000,000
Fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale investment disclosure with gross unrealized loss of greater than stated monetary value	10,000,000		10,000,000
Fixed maturity and equity securities with gross unrealized loss greater than $10 million	10,000,000		10,000,000		10,000,000
Equity securities holdings exposure amount of a single issuer greater than 10% of Company's equity	0		0		0
Equity securities	3,238,000,000		3,238,000,000		3,602,000,000
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	341,744,000,000		341,744,000,000		324,797,000,000
Noncredit OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities, net of DAC, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(188,000,000)		(202,000,000)
Concentration of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale	5,500,000,000		5,500,000,000		6,800,000,000
Mortgage loans, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities	60,819,000,000		60,819,000,000		58,976,000,000
Fixed maturity securities exposure to single issuer greater than a stated percentage of stockholders' equity	10.00%		10.00%		10.00%
Fixed maturity securities exposure amount to single issuer greater than 10% of the Company's stockholders' equity other than the U.S. and Mexican government securities	0		0		0
Holdings in European sovereign fixed maturity securities at estimated fair value	761,000,000		761,000,000		1,562,000,000
Net exposure in holdings in European sovereign fixed maturity securities stated percentage of the Company's equity	1.40%		1.40%		3.20%
Net exposure in holdings in European sovereign fixed maturity securities stated percentage of total cash and invested assets	0.20%		0.20%		0.30%
Increase (decrease) in estimated fair value of derivatives related to economic hedges in equity method international joint investments that do not qualify for hedge accounting	0	109,000,000	23,000,000	77,000,000
Securities lending collateral % of estimated fair value of securities loaned	102.00%		102.00%
Securities collateral % of estimated fair value maintained for the duration loaned	100.00%		100.00%
Estimated fair value - all securities on loan related to cash collateral on open	3,400,000,000		3,400,000,000
Estimated fair value - U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities related to cash collateral on open	2,900,000,000		2,900,000,000
Trading securities, at estimated fair value (cost: $XXX and $2,249, respectively; includes $XXX and $0, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	560,000,000		560,000,000		463,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	92,370,000,000		92,370,000,000		93,579,000,000
Remaining years to repayment of long-term debt held by consolidated securitization entities			7 years
Tax credits guaranteed by third parties that reduce maximum exposure to loss related to other invested assets	333,000,000		333,000,000		231,000,000
Financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs			0
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage	20.00%		20.00%		20.00%
Gross Unrealized Loss	115,000,000		115,000,000		241,000,000
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage	20.00%		20.00%
Equity securities holdings exposure in single issuer greater than stated percentage of Company's equity	10.00%		10.00%		10.00%
Equity securities exposure to any single issuer in excess of a stated percentage of total investments	1.00%		1.00%		1.00%
Amount of dividend payments deferred of non-redeemable preferred stock with unrealized loss regardless of credit rating	0		0
Common stock equity holding securities available-for-sale in unrealized loss position of equal to or greater than stated percentage	20.00%		20.00%
Common stock equity holding securities available-for-sale in unrealized loss position of less than stated percentage	20.00%		20.00%
Common stock equity holding securities available-for-sale in unrealized loss position of less than or equal to 20% in unrealized loss position of equal to or greater than stated months	12		12
Estimated fair of value agricultural mortgage loans held-for-investment	13,300,000,000		13,300,000,000		12,900,000,000
Estimated fair of value residential mortgage loans held-for-investment	2,700,000,000		2,700,000,000		2,300,000,000
Carrying value of mortgage loans issued by the Company to real estate joint ventures that the Company has an investment	286,000,000		286,000,000		283,000,000
Loan-to-value ratio at loan origination	75.00%		75.00%
Percentage of Mortgage Loans Classified as Performing	99.00%		99.00%		99.00%
Cash equivalents	4,900,000,000		4,900,000,000		9,600,000,000
Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions	(49,000,000)	206,000,000	(14,000,000)	56,000,000
United States [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Carrying value, United States and Outside of the United States	91.00%		91.00%
European Sovereign Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Amortized cost of the sovereign fixed maturity securities	934,000,000		934,000,000		1,644,000,000
Par Value of the sovereign fixed maturity securities	1,178,000,000		1,178,000,000		1,912,000,000
California
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Carrying value, United States and Outside of the United States	19.00%		19.00%
New York
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Carrying value, United States and Outside of the United States	9.00%		9.00%
Illinois
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Carrying value, United States and Outside of the United States	7.00%		7.00%
Outside United States
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Carrying value, United States and Outside of the United States	9.00%		9.00%
Variable interest entities
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	3,357,000,000		3,357,000,000		3,330,000,000
Mortgage loans, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities	6,697,000,000		6,697,000,000		6,840,000,000
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	1,570,000,000		1,570,000,000		5,762,000,000
Less than six months [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | All Industries [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Six months or greater but less than twelve months [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | All Industries [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Twelve months or greater [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | All Industries [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
All equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | All Industries [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
Less than six months [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | Financial Services Industry [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage	0.00%		0.00%
Six months or greater but less than twelve months [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | Financial Services Industry [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage	0.00%		0.00%
Twelve months or greater [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | Financial Services Industry [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage	72.00%		72.00%
All equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | Financial Services Industry [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
All equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member] | Financial Services Industry [Member] | Investment Grade [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage	72.00%		72.00%
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	3,141,000,000		3,141,000,000		3,292,000,000
Vintage Year, 2004 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	3,858,000,000		3,858,000,000		3,620,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,584,000,000		1,584,000,000		1,545,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	687,000,000		687,000,000		791,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		2,000,000
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,000,000		2,000,000		3,000,000
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	3,000,000		3,000,000		8,000,000
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	404,000,000		404,000,000
Aaa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	16,160,000,000		16,160,000,000		16,901,000,000
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	389,000,000		389,000,000		324,000,000
Vintage Year, 2004 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	483,000,000		483,000,000		273,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	157,000,000		157,000,000		160,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	342,000,000		342,000,000		298,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0
Aa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,557,000,000		1,557,000,000		1,337,000,000
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	325,000,000		325,000,000		280,000,000
Vintage Year, 2004 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	115,000,000		115,000,000		209,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	94,000,000		94,000,000		168,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	151,000,000		151,000,000		95,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	61,000,000		61,000,000		4,000,000
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0
Aone [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	849,000,000		849,000,000		983,000,000
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	175,000,000		175,000,000		255,000,000
Vintage Year, 2004 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	92,000,000		92,000,000		175,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	165,000,000		165,000,000		398,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	44,000,000		44,000,000		108,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0
Baa [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	537,000,000		537,000,000		1,007,000,000
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	29,000,000		29,000,000		66,000,000
Vintage Year, 2004 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	66,000,000		66,000,000		68,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	155,000,000		155,000,000		156,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	115,000,000		115,000,000		133,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	30,000,000		30,000,000		0
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0
Below Investment Grade [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	415,000,000		415,000,000		447,000,000
MRSC collateral financing arrangement [Member] | U.S. corporate securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	745,000,000		745,000,000		893,000,000
MRSC collateral financing arrangement [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	547,000,000		547,000,000		547,000,000
MRSC collateral financing arrangement [Member] | U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
MRSC collateral financing arrangement [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	412,000,000		412,000,000		383,000,000
MRSC collateral financing arrangement [Member] | ABS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,447,000,000		1,447,000,000		1,333,000,000
MRSC collateral financing arrangement [Member] | State and political subdivision securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	40,000,000		40,000,000		30,000,000
Real estate joint ventures [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	104,000,000		104,000,000		108,000,000
Other limited partnership interests [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	6,180,000,000		6,180,000,000		6,479,000,000
Other invested assets [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	909,000,000		909,000,000		773,000,000
Less than six months [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Less than six months [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	4,000,000		4,000,000
Six months or greater but less than twelve months [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Six months or greater but less than twelve months [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	0		0
Twelve months or greater [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
Twelve months or greater [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000		116,000,000
All equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | 20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	69,000,000		69,000,000
20% or more [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Loss	73,000,000		73,000,000
ABS by collateral type [Member] | Portion rated Aaa/AAA [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	9,809,000,000		9,809,000,000		10,411,000,000
RMBS [Member] | Portion rated Aaa/AAA [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	34,105,000,000		34,105,000,000		36,085,000,000
Aa or better [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage ABS supported by Sub-prime Mortgage Loans	27.00%		27.00%		54.00%
Aa or better [Member] | Vintage Year, 2005 or Prior [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage ABS supported by Sub-prime Mortgage Loans	73.00%		73.00%		88.00%
National Association Of Insurance Commissioners Two Or Better [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans rated certain National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") rating as a percentage of total ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans	63.00%		63.00%		66.00%
Less than stated percentage [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage reporting categories for aging of gross unrealized loss and other than temporary loss for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale investment disclosure	20.00%		20.00%		20.00%
RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans [Member] | ABS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,065,000,000		1,065,000,000		1,119,000,000
ABS [Member] | ABS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Unrealized losses on ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans			284,000,000		317,000,000
ABS by collateral type [Member] | Credit card loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	5,202,000,000		5,202,000,000		6,027,000,000
ABS by collateral type [Member] | Student loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,903,000,000		2,903,000,000		2,416,000,000
ABS by collateral type [Member] | Automobile loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	836,000,000		836,000,000		605,000,000
ABS by collateral type [Member] | Other loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,404,000,000		2,404,000,000		2,322,000,000
Equal to or greater than stated months [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Time period reporting categories for continuous gross unrealized loss and other than temporary loss for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale securities by sector investment disclosure	12		12		12
Largest exposure to a single issuer [Member] | Corporate fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,207,000,000		2,207,000,000		2,291,000,000
Holdings in ten issuers with the largest exposures [Member] | Corporate fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	13,328,000,000		13,328,000,000		14,247,000,000
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,704,000,000		1,704,000,000		1,576,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,376,000,000		1,376,000,000		1,013,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,016,000,000		1,016,000,000		922,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		7,000,000
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	627,000,000		627,000,000		671,000,000
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	37,000,000		37,000,000		32,000,000
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	0		0		0
Alternative residential mortgage loans [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	4,760,000,000		4,760,000,000		4,221,000,000
Less than stated months [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Time period reporting categories for continuous gross unrealized loss and other than temporary loss for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale securities by sector investment disclosure	12		12		12
Equal to or more than stated percentage [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage reporting categories for aging of gross unrealized loss and other than temporary loss for fixed maturity and equity securities available-for-sale investment disclosure	20.00%		20.00%		20.00%
Vintage Year, 2004 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	4,614,000,000		4,614,000,000		4,345,000,000
Vintage Year, 2005 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	4,059,000,000		4,059,000,000		4,217,000,000
Vintage Year, 2006 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,155,000,000		2,155,000,000		2,427,000,000
Vintage Year, 2007 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	1,339,000,000		1,339,000,000		1,425,000,000
Vintage Year, 2008 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	30,000,000		30,000,000		2,000,000
Vintage Year, 2009 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,000,000		2,000,000		3,000,000
Vintage Year, 2010 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	64,000,000		64,000,000		12,000,000
Vintage Year, 2011 [Member] | CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	404,000,000		404,000,000
Corporate fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	167,335,000,000		167,335,000,000		159,660,000,000
Other domestic corporate fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	3,245,000,000		3,245,000,000		3,198,000,000
Consumer Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	22,910,000,000		22,910,000,000		21,482,000,000
Industrial Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	24,270,000,000		24,270,000,000		22,070,000,000
Utility Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	18,242,000,000		18,242,000,000		16,902,000,000
Finance Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	20,397,000,000		20,397,000,000		20,785,000,000
Communications Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	7,733,000,000		7,733,000,000		7,335,000,000
Foreign corporate securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	1,000,000		1,000,000		0
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	70,538,000,000		70,538,000,000		67,888,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	3,350,000,000		3,350,000,000		2,950,000,000
Collateralized mortgage obligations [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	23,011,000,000		23,011,000,000		22,303,000,000
Agency [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	32,774,000,000		32,774,000,000		34,254,000,000
Prime [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	6,016,000,000		6,016,000,000		6,258,000,000
RMBS Pass-through securities [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	20,539,000,000		20,539,000,000		22,430,000,000
ABS by collateral type [Member] | Portion rated NAIC 1 [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	13,683,000,000		13,683,000,000		13,133,000,000
Portion rated NAIC 1 [Member] | RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	37,484,000,000		37,484,000,000		38,984,000,000
Foreign government debt securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	(161,000,000)		(161,000,000)		0
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	49,246,000,000		49,246,000,000		42,002,000,000
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity securities	1,148,000,000		1,148,000,000		1,409,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	33,000,000		33,000,000		0
Gross Unrealized Loss	(104,000,000)		(104,000,000)		(229,000,000)
Common stock [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity securities	2,090,000,000		2,090,000,000		2,193,000,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	(11,000,000)		(11,000,000)		(12,000,000)
Below investment grade or non-rated fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	25,941,000,000		25,941,000,000		24,870,000,000
Non-income producing fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	43,000,000		43,000,000		130,000,000
Fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	(739,000,000)		(739,000,000)		(601,000,000)
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	341,744,000,000		341,744,000,000		324,797,000,000
U.S. corporate securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	96,797,000,000		96,797,000,000		91,772,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	2,610,000,000		2,610,000,000		2,435,000,000
RMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	(513,000,000)		(513,000,000)		(470,000,000)
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	43,550,000,000		43,550,000,000		44,733,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	43,550,000,000		43,550,000,000		44,733,000,000
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	35,565,000,000		35,565,000,000		33,304,000,000
ABS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	(72,000,000)		(72,000,000)		(119,000,000)
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	14,857,000,000		14,857,000,000		14,287,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	14,857,000,000		14,857,000,000		14,287,000,000
Other fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	4,000,000		4,000,000		7,000,000
Other fixed maturity securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	4,000,000		4,000,000		7,000,000
State and political subdivision securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	11,669,000,000		11,669,000,000		10,129,000,000
CMBS [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss)	6,000,000		6,000,000		(12,000,000)
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	19,518,000,000		19,518,000,000		20,675,000,000
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	19,518,000,000		19,518,000,000		20,675,000,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Equity securities	3,238,000,000		3,238,000,000		3,602,000,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	(115,000,000)		(115,000,000)		(241,000,000)
Redeemable preferred stock [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	2,200,000,000		2,200,000,000		2,700,000,000
Consolidated securitization entities [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Variable interest, maximum exposure to loss in consolidated securitization entities	280,000,000		280,000,000		201,000,000
Long-term debt held by consolidated securitization entities, percentage range minimum			0.0225
Long-term debt held by consolidated securitization entities, percentage range maximum			0.0557
Interest expense on long-term debt held by consolidated securitization entities	92,000,000	103,000,000	184,000,000	209,000,000
Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Co., LTD. ("MSI MetLife") [Member]
Investments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Other gains (losses)	$ (7,000,000)		$ 87,000,000