Closed Block (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Closed Block Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$ 43,184		$ 43,456
Other policy-related balances	336		316
Policyholder dividends payable	618		579
Policyholder dividend obligation	2,782		876
Current income tax payable	0		178
Other liabilities	692		627
Total closed block liabilities	47,612		46,032
Assets Designated to the Closed Block
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $26,966 and $27,067, respectively)	30,540		28,768
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $111 and $110, respectively)	34		102
Mortgage loans	6,165		6,253
Policy loans	4,645		4,629
Real estate and real estate joint ventures held-for-investment	335		328
Short-term investments	0		1
Other invested assets	744		729
Total investments	42,463		40,810
Cash and cash equivalents	297		236
Accrued investment income	534		518
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables	89		95
Current income tax recoverable	36		0
Deferred income tax assets	396		474
Total assets designated to the closed block	43,815		42,133
Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block	3,797		3,899
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax of $565 and $594, respectively	2,321		1,101
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax of $4 and $5, respectively	13		10
Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax of ($705) and $0, respectively	(1,808)		(569)
Total amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	526		542
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities	$ 4,323	$ 4,361	$ 4,441	$ 4,519	$ 4,513	$ 4,587