Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Rollforward of Level 3 assets held at fair value on a recurring basis
Balance at beginning of period	$ (707)	$ (629)	$ (723)	$ (653)
Total gains (losses) included in: net income	160	2	151	(24)
Issues	(24)	(15)	(53)	(42)
Settlements	20	45	74	122
Balance at end of period	(551)	(597)	(551)	(597)
Derivatives embedded in life and annuity contracts
Rollforward of Level 3 assets held at fair value on a recurring basis
Balance at beginning of period	(707)	(629)	(723)	(653)
Total gains (losses) included in: net income	160	2	151	(24)
Issues	(24)	(15)	(53)	(42)
Settlements	20	45	74	122
Balance at end of period	$ (551)	$ (597)	$ (551)	$ (597)

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Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings, arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Issues that have taken place during the period in relation to liabilities measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Settlements that have taken place during the period in relation to liabilities measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents a liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

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