Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended									9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Latin America [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Asia [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Retail [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Corporate & Other [Member]
Goodwill Rollforward and by Segment
Balance at December 31, 2011			$ 11,935		$ 501	$ 5,443	$ 1,423	$ 2,955	$ 308	$ 900	$ 900	$ 405
Goodwill transfers out							(90)		(170)
Goodwill transfers in						90		170
Impairments	(1,868)	0	(1,868)	0				(1,692)				(176)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other			(43)		30	(50)	(23)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$ 10,024		$ 10,024		$ 531	$ 5,483	$ 1,310	$ 1,433	$ 138	$ 900	$ 900	$ 229