Closed Block (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Closed Block Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$ 42,680	$ 43,169
Other policy-related balances	325	358
Policyholder dividends payable	561	514
Policyholder dividend obligation	3,909	2,919
Other liabilities	723	613
Total closed block liabilities	48,198	47,573
Assets Designated to the Closed Block
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value	31,198	30,407
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value	44	35
Mortgage loans	6,242	6,206
Policy loans	4,673	4,657
Real estate and real estate joint ventures	344	364
Other invested assets	819	857
Total investments	43,320	42,526
Cash and cash equivalents	254	249
Accrued investment income	519	509
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables	97	109
Current income tax recoverable	0	53
Deferred income tax assets	341	362
Total assets designated to the closed block	44,531	43,808
Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block	3,667	3,765
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax	2,980	2,394
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax	13	11
Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax	(2,541)	(1,897)
Total amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	452	508
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities	$ 4,119	$ 4,273