Investments- Rollforward of Cumulative Credit Losses (Details 8) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Credit Losses on Fixed Income Securities
Beginning balance	$ (206)	$ (229)	$ (209)	$ (299)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired	(3)	0	(5)	2
Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired	(4)	(3)	(8)	(4)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected	13	9	20	19
Reduction in credit loss for securities the Company has made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	0	0	0	0
Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows	0	1	2	1
Ending balance	(200)	(222)	(200)	(222)
Linco in Benefit Life Company [Member]
Credit Losses on Fixed Income Securities
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 59