Business Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2010
Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of segments	6
Reclassification of securities from fixed maturity securities to trading securities due to adoption of embedded credit derivative scope exception guidance					$ 50,000,000
Adjustment to trading securities due to adoption of VIE guidance				278,000,000
Adjustment to commercial mortgage loans due to adoption of VIE guidance				6,800,000,000
Adjustment to long-term debt due to adoption of VIE guidance				6,800,000,000
Adjustment to fixed maturity securities due to adoption of VIE guidance				179,000,000
Adjustment to equity securities due to adoption of VIE guidance				less than $1 million
Adjustment to net investment income on consolidated assets due to VIE guidance			426,000,000
Adjustment to net investment gains (losses) due to VIE guidance			6,000,000
Property, Equipment, Leasehold Improvements and Computer Software [Abstract]
Cost basis of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	2,500,000,000	2,500,000,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	1,300,000,000	1,200,000,000
Depreciation and amortization expense	208,000,000	199,000,000	151,000,000
Cost basis of computer software	1,500,000,000	2,200,000,000
Accumulated amortization of computer software	932,000,000	1,500,000,000
Amortization expense related to computer software	221,000,000	217,000,000	189,000,000
Adjustment Due To Variable Interest Entities Guidance [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of initial adoption of new accounting principle on Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	0	0	52,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2010-11 [Member]
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)			0
Accounting Standards Update 2010-11 [Member] | Retained Earnings
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)			(10,000,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2009-17 [Member]
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)				30,000,000
Adjustment Due To Variable Interest Entities Guidance [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of initial adoption of new accounting principle on Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax				42,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2009-17 [Member] | Consolidated Securitization Entities [Member]
Adjustment Due To Variable Interest Entities Guidance [Abstract]
Interest expense on long-term debt held by consolidated securitization entities			411,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2009-17 [Member] | Retained Earnings
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)				(12,000,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2010-26 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Retrospective Adjustments [Abstract]
Cumulative effect adjustment of adopting the guidance on accounting for deferred acquisition costs				$ 1,800,000,000
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Minimum [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, Life Used for Depreciation	20 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, Life Used for Depreciation	55 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period	4 years
VODA and VOCRA [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period	10 years
VODA and VOCRA [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period	40 years