Investments (Details 41) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Fixed maturity securities [Member]
Accretable yield on purchased distressed assets acquired
Accretable yield, beginning of period	$ 1,891	$ 369	$ 541	$ 0
Investments Purchased	238	202	1,459	590
Accretion	(23)	(27)	(72)	(34)
Disposals	0	0	(69)	0
Reclassification to/ from nonaccretable difference	68	(41)	315	(53)
Accretable yield, end of period	2,174	503	2,174	503
Mortgage loans, net [Member]
Accretable yield on purchased distressed assets acquired
Accretable yield, beginning of period	258	0	170	0
Investments Purchased	0	0	0	0
Accretion	(6)	0	(38)	0
Disposals	0	0	0	0
Reclassification to/ from nonaccretable difference	17	0	137	0
Accretable yield, end of period	$ 269	$ 0	$ 269	$ 0

The aggregate excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan for loans accounted for as debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 03-3

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph a(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 15

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6891207&loc=d3e13503-111538

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

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Current period recognition due to accretion of the excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan for loans accounted for as debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

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Increases in the aggregate excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan due to the acquisition of similar loans accounted for as debt securities during the period. This relates to loans accounted for as debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

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Sale or transfer of a loan during the period resulting in a reduction in the excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment. This relates to loans accounted for as debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that was acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

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Change in the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected, after acquisition of a loan, which results in an increase in accretable yield (for example, if actual cash flows are significantly greater than previously expected). This relates to loans accounted for as debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that was acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

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The increases in the aggregate excess of a loan's cash flows expected to be collected over the investor's initial investment in the loan. This relates to loans not accounted for as debt securities, with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, due to the acquisition of similar loans not accounted for as debt securities during the period.

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