Other Expenses (Other Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Employee related costs (1)	$ 3,514	$ 3,665	$ 3,664
Third party staffing costs	1,335	1,755	1,703
General and administrative expenses	761	901	910
Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs	165	233	185
Premium taxes, other taxes, and licenses & fees	764	674	758
Commissions and other variable expenses	5,596	6,001	5,707
Capitalization of DAC	(3,013)	(3,358)	(3,254)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	3,160	2,896	2,975
Amortization of negative VOBA	(45)	(33)	(56)
Interest expense on debt	913	955	1,122
Total other expenses	13,150	13,689	13,714
Net change in cash surrender value of investments, net of premiums paid	$ (147)	$ (219)	$ 0