Investments (Details 25) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 471	$ 443
Additions:
Initial impairments - credit loss OTTI recognized on securities not previously impaired	16	8
Additional impairments - credit loss OTTI recognized on securities previously impaired	6	16
Reductions:
Due to sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) during the period of securities previously credit loss OTTI impaired	(104)	(29)
Due to securities impaired to net present value of expected future cash flows	(8)	(44)
Due to increases in cash flows- accretion of previous credit loss OTTI	0	(5)
Balance, end of period	$ 381	$ 389

The cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings related to debt securities held for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity).

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This item represents reductions in the amount of cumulative losses recognized in earnings for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) for which a portion of the impairment had been recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity) due to a change in status of the impaired security because of a change in the entity's intent to either sell the impaired security or it has become more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.

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