Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Policy-Related Intangibles (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	$ 24,761	$ 24,619	$ 24,465
Latin America [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	1,231	1,050	1,092
Asia [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	9,554	9,554	8,630
Europe, the Middle East and Africa [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	1,998	1,866	1,887
Retail [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	11,500	11,681	12,404
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	382	377	387
Corporate Benefit Funding [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	96	89	62
Corporate & Other [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Abstract]
DAC and VOBA	$ 0	$ 2	$ 3