Consolidated Variable Interest Entities - Number of FG VIE's Consolidated (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($) Entity	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Entity	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Entity	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) Entity
Number of FG VIEs Consolidated [Roll Forward]
Number of FG VIE's matured				(2)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Number of FG VIEs Consolidated [Roll Forward]
Number of FG VIE's consolidated, beginning of period		40	32	40	33
Number of FG VIE's, Radian Asset Acquisition			4	0	0
Number of FG VIE's consolidated	[1]		1	2	11
Number of FG VIE's deconsolidated	[1]		(1)	(8)	(3)
Number of FG VIE's matured			(2)	(2)	(1)
Number of FG VIE's consolidated, end of period			34	32	40
Net loss on consolidation of VIEs | $			$ 26	$ 26
Net gain on deconsolidation | $		$ 120		$ 120
Net gain (loss) on consolidation and deconsolidation during period | $					$ 7

[1] (1)Net loss on consolidation was $26 million in 2015. Net gain on deconsolidation was $120 million and net loss on consolidation was $26 million in 2014. Net loss on consolidation and deconsolidation was $7 million in 2013.