Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues
Fee income and other	$ 878	$ 945	$ 2,680	$ 2,899
Earned premiums	1	60	69	180
Net investment income:
Securities available-for-sale and other	622	652	1,927	1,977
Equity securities, trading	75	(147)	156	(103)
Total net investment income	697	505	2,083	1,874
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses	(35)	(51)	(113)	(158)
OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income	22	9	36	66
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(13)	(42)	(77)	(92)
Net realized capital losses, excluding net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(154)	1,069	(628)	629
Total net realized capital gains (losses)	(167)	1,027	(705)	537
Total revenues	1,409	2,537	4,127	5,490
Benefits, losses and expenses
Benefits, loss and loss adjustment expenses	762	938	2,198	2,414
Benefits, loss and loss adjustment expenses - returns credited on international unit-linked bonds and pension products	75	(146)	155	(103)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits	91	213	262	421
Insurance operating costs and other expenses	215	2,346	782	3,015
Dividends to policyholders	4	5	15	10
Total benefits, losses and expenses	1,147	3,356	3,412	5,757
Income before income taxes	262	(819)	715	(267)
Income tax expense (benefit)	59	(316)	137	(318)
Net income (loss)	203	(503)	578	51
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	(4)	(1)	(2)
Net income attributable to Hartford Life Insurance Company	$ 203	$ (499)	$ 579	$ 53