Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 825,188	$ 796,226
Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	23,426	20,315
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	118,073	112,955
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	33,615	32,891
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	310,874	295,012
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	52,459	51,776
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	211,619	195,217
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 75,122	$ 88,060