Other Expenses (Other Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Employee related costs	$ 916	$ 894	$ 1,838	$ 1,831
Third party staffing costs	420	402	789	782
General and administrative expenses	237	351	460	594
Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs	57	47	113	96
Premium taxes, other taxes, and licenses & fees	174	187	344	366
Commissions and other variable expenses	1,470	1,438	2,919	2,854
Capitalization of DAC	(837)	(834)	(1,649)	(1,630)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	689	707	1,313	1,400
Amortization of negative VOBA	(10)	(16)	(20)	(38)
Interest expense on debt	274	309	508	595
Total other expenses	$ 3,390	$ 3,485	$ 6,615	$ 6,850