Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company) (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Statements of Operations
Net investment income									$ 21,984	$ 19,585	$ 17,493
Other income									1,906	2,532	2,328
Net investment gains (losses)									(352)	(867)	(408)
Net derivative gains (losses)									(1,919)	4,824	(265)
Expenses
Impairments									(1,868)	0	0
Other expenses									(17,755)	(18,537)	(12,927)
Income (loss) before provision for income tax									1,442	9,184	3,729
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)									128	2,793	1,110
Net income (loss)	127	(954)	2,295	(144)	990	3,456	1,100	877	1,324	6,423	2,667
Less: Preferred stock dividends	31	30	31	30	31	30	31	30	122	122	122
Preferred stock redemption premium	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	146	0	146	0
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	96	(984)	2,264	(174)	959	3,426	1,069	701	1,202	6,155	2,545
Comprehensive income (loss)									6,638	11,361	6,861
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Statements of Operations
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									3,444	6,979	3,318
Net investment income									94	121	144
Other income									159	155	144
Net investment gains (losses)									29	(146)	31
Net derivative gains (losses)									(259)	82	(81)
Expenses
Interest expense									(985)	(1,007)	(882)
Impairments									(1,384)	0	0
Other expenses									(167)	(149)	(319)
Income (loss) before provision for income tax									931	6,035	2,355
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)									(393)	(388)	(312)
Net income (loss)									1,324	6,423	2,667
Less: Preferred stock dividends									122	122	122
Preferred stock redemption premium									0	146	0
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders									1,202	6,155	2,545
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ 6,638	$ 11,361	$ 6,861