Statutory Financial Information and Dividend Limitations (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Statutory Financial Information and Dividend Limitations
Statutory net income (loss)	$ 192	$ (67)	$ 1,010
Statutory capital and surplus	3,050	$ 2,870
Maximum amount of dividends ALIC able to pay without prior IL DOI approval	305
Deficit position used to determine payment of dividends	$ 432
Multiplier of authorized control level RBC to determine action level RBC	2
Statutory accounting practices, statutory capital and surplus, adjusted balance	$ 3,470
Authorized control level RBC	$ 541