Business Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 799,625	$ 730,906
Separate account assets	203,023	183,138
Separate account liabilities	203,023	183,138
U.S. Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	540,163	496,881
Separate account assets	193,538	173,473
Separate account liabilities	193,538	173,473
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	168,510	164,995
Separate account assets	9,485	9,665
Separate account liabilities	9,485	9,665
Japan [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	104,563	87,416
Separate account assets	0	0
Separate account liabilities	0	0
International Other Regions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	63,947	77,579
Separate account assets	9,485	9,665
Separate account liabilities	9,485	9,665
Insurance Products [Member] | U.S. Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	149,563	141,366
Separate account assets	8,425	9,567
Separate account liabilities	8,425	9,567
Retirement Products [Member] | U.S. Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	196,160	177,045
Separate account assets	120,285	107,335
Separate account liabilities	120,285	107,335
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member] | U.S. Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	188,525	172,929
Separate account assets	64,828	56,571
Separate account liabilities	64,828	56,571
Auto Home [Member] | U.S. Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	5,915	5,541
Separate account assets	0	0
Separate account liabilities	0	0
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	90,952	69,030
Separate account assets	0	0
Separate account liabilities	$ 0	$ 0