Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	$ 11,935
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	(32)
Balance at March 31, 2012	11,903
Japan [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	5,371
Goodwill transfers out	(5,371)
Other International Regions [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	1,996
Goodwill transfers out	(1,996)
Latin America [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Goodwill transfers in	501
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	29
Balance at March 31, 2012	530
Asia [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Goodwill transfers in	5,443
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	(83)
Balance at March 31, 2012	5,360
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Goodwill transfers in	1,423
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	22
Balance at March 31, 2012	1,445
Insurance Products [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	1,414
Goodwill transfers out	(1,414)
Retirement Products [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	1,692
Goodwill transfers out	(1,692)
Auto & Home [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	157
Goodwill transfers out	(157)
Retail Products [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Goodwill transfers in	2,955
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	0
Balance at March 31, 2012	2,955
Group, Voluntary and Worksite Benefits [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Goodwill transfers in	308
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	0
Balance at March 31, 2012	308
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	900
Goodwill transfers out	(900)
Goodwill transfers in	900
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	0
Balance at March 31, 2012	900
Corporate & Other [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011	405
Goodwill transfers out	(405)
Goodwill transfers in	405
Effect of foreign currency translation and other	0
Balance at March 31, 2012	$ 405