Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 846,285	$ 796,226
Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	22,990	20,315
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	130,772	115,806
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	22,927	30,040
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	325,294	301,591
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	44,834	45,197
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	222,963	195,217
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 76,505	$ 88,060