Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 836,781	$ 796,226
Separate account assets	235,393	203,023
Separate account liabilities	235,393	203,023
Latin America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	23,272	20,315
Separate account assets	4,200	2,880
Separate account liabilities	4,200	2,880
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	131,138	115,806
Separate account assets	8,273	6,599
Separate account liabilities	8,273	6,599
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	23,474	30,040
Separate account assets	0	6
Separate account liabilities	0	6
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	332,387	301,591
Separate account assets	150,513	128,208
Separate account liabilities	150,513	128,208
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	44,138	45,197
Separate account assets	532	479
Separate account liabilities	532	479
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	217,352	195,217
Separate account assets	71,875	64,851
Separate account liabilities	71,875	64,851
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	65,020	88,060
Separate account assets	0	0
Separate account liabilities	$ 0	$ 0