Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired [Abstract]
Beginning Balance of DAC	$ 16,004	$ 16,219	$ 16,510
Beginning Balance of VOBA	11,088	2,864	3,491
Balance, beginning of period	27,092	19,083	20,001
Capitalizations of DAC	6,858	3,299	2,976
Acquisitions of VOBA	11	9,210
Subtotal of DAC	22,862	19,518	19,486
Subtotal of VOBA	11,099	12,074	3,491
Subtotal	33,961	31,592	22,977
Net investment gains (losses) of DAC	(523)	(108)	625
Net investment gains (losses) of VOBA	(49)	(16)	87
Net investment gains (losses)	(572)	(124)	712
Other expenses of DAC	(3,062)	(2,225)	(1,736)
Other expenses of VOBA	(1,757)	(494)	(265)
Other expenses	(4,819)	(2,719)	(2,001)
Total amortization of DAC	(3,585)	(2,333)	(1,111)
Total amortization of VOBA	(1,806)	(510)	(178)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	(5,391)	(2,843)	(1,289)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) of DAC	(518)	(1,258)	(2,314)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) of VOBA	(361)	(125)	(505)
Unrealized investment gains (losses)	(879)	(1,383)	(2,819)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other of DAC	(167)	77	158
Effect of foreign currency translation and other of VOBA	447	(351)	56
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	280	(274)	214
Ending Balance of DAC	18,592	16,004	16,219
Ending Balance of VOBA	9,379	11,088	2,864
Balance, end of period	$ 27,971	$ 27,092	$ 19,083