Business Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 819,604	$ 796,226
Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	23,270	20,315
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	114,875	112,955
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	34,927	32,891
Retail Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	309,594	295,012
Group, Voluntary and Worksite Benefits [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	50,927	51,776
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	202,750	195,217
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 83,261	$ 88,060