Statutory Financial Information and Dividend Limitations (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Statutory Financial Information and Dividend Limitations
Statutory net income (loss)	$ (67)	$ 1,010	$ 447
Statutory capital and surplus	2,870	$ 2,710
Payments of Dividends	103
Maximum amount of dividends ALIC able to pay without prior IL DOI approval	287
Deficit position used to determine payment of dividends	$ 334
Multiplier of authorized control level RBC to determine action level RBC	2
Statutory accounting practices, statutory capital and surplus, adjusted balance	$ 3,260
Authorized control level RBC	$ 563