CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Premiums, reinsurance ceded	$ 367	$ 402	$ 447
Contract charges, reinsurance ceded	251	252	283
Contract benefits, reinsurance ceded	331	644	631
Interest credited to contractholder funds, reinsurance ceded	$ 27	$ 28	$ 27

Amount of earned premiums ceded to other entities.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 17

-Article 12

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 235

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 605

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b),(c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6486672&loc=d3e27261-158547

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 1

-Article 7

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 605

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6486662&loc=d3e27175-158546

Name:	us-gaap_CededPremiumsEarned
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration