Closed Block (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Closed Block Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$ 42,936	$ 43,169
Other policy-related balances	298	358
Policyholder dividends payable	542	514
Policyholder dividend obligation	3,369	2,919
Current income tax payable	5	0
Other liabilities	672	613
Total closed block liabilities	47,822	47,573
Assets Designated to the Closed Block
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value	30,784	30,407
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value	28	35
Mortgage loans	6,325	6,206
Policy loans	4,655	4,657
Real estate and real estate joint ventures	301	364
Other invested assets	767	857
Total investments	42,860	42,526
Cash and cash equivalents	313	249
Accrued investment income	507	509
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables	86	109
Current income tax recoverable	0	53
Deferred income tax assets	358	362
Total assets designated to the closed block	44,124	43,808
Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block	3,698	3,765
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax	2,650	2,394
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax	18	11
Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax	(2,190)	(1,897)
Total amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	478	508
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities	$ 4,176	$ 4,273