Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

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-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.

+ Details

Goodwill (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 11,935	$ 11,781	$ 5,047	$ 5,008
U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	4,163	4,163
International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	7,367
Latin America Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	501
Asia Pacific Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	72
Europe Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	938
Middle East Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	485
Japan [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	5,371
Insurance Products [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,414	1,414
Retirement Products [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,692	1,692
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	900	900
Auto Home [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	157	157
Corporate & Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	405	470
Group Life [Member] \| Insurance Products [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	2	2
Individual Life [Member] \| Insurance Products [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,263	1,263
Non-medical health [Member] \| Insurance Products [Member] \| U.S. Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	149	149
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		4,972
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member] \| International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		339
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member] \| Latin America Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		229
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member] \| Asia Pacific Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		72
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member] \| Europe Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		38
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member] \| Middle East Region [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		0
Consolidated Company Without Current Year Acquisition [Member] \| Japan [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 0