Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 14) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	$ 213,672		$ 196,608
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,332)		(1,044)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	5,507		7,070
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(6,839)		(8,114)
International [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	47,200		28,000
GMWB hedging instruments [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	19,813		16,406
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	674		894
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	842		1,022
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(168)		(128)
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,583		6,819
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	82		357
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	82		357
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,751		6,568
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	217		271
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	238		293
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(21)		(22)
Cash Flow Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,587		6,339
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	234		276
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	234		276
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Cash flow hedges foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	164		229
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(17)		(5)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4		17
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(21)		(22)
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	816		1,684
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(46)		(117)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	15		64
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(61)		(181)
Fair Value Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	776		1,007
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(61)		(78)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(61)		(78)
Fair value hedges - Foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	40		677
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	15		(39)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	15		64
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		(103)
Non-qualifying strategies [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	207,105		188,356
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,503)		(1,198)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	5,254		6,713
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(6,757)		(7,911)
Interest Rate Swaps Caps Floors and Futures [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	9,494		6,252
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(412)		(435)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	448		417
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(860)		(852)
Foreign Currency Swaps and Forwards [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	224		208
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(10)		(10)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	5		3
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(15)		(13)
Japan 3Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member] | JAPAN
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,054		2,054
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	78		184
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	78		184
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member] | JAPAN
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,648		1,945
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	371		514
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	392		540
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(21)		(26)
Credit Derivatives that Purchase Credit Protection [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	679		1,134
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1)		23
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	10		35
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(11)		(12)
Credit Derivatives that Assume Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,596	[1]	2,212	[1]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(308)	[1]	(545)	[1]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	12	[1]	2	[1]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(320)	[1]	(547)	[1]
Credit Derivatives in Offsetting Positions [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,342		5,020
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(28)		(43)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	66		101
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(94)		(144)
Equity index swaps options [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	748		1,433
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	42		23
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	55		36
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(13)		(13)
GMWB product derivatives [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	30,213	[2]	34,569	[2]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,413)	[2]	(2,538)	[2]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	[2]	0	[2]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,413)	[2]	(2,538)	[2]
GMWB Reinsurance Contracts [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	6,116		7,193
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	199		443
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	199		443
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
International program product derivatives [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,949	[2]	2,009	[2]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(22)	[2]	(30)	[2]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	[2]	0	[2]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(22)	[2]	(30)	[2]
International program hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	52,177		28,719
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	206		542
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	695		672
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(489)		(130)
GMAB, GMWB, and GMIB Reinsurance Contracts [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	20,598		21,627
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(2,673)		(3,207)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(2,673)		(3,207)
Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Reinsurance Contracts [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	47,871		50,756
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	1,712		2,630
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	2,370		2,901
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$ (658)		$ (271)

[1] The derivative instruments related to this strategy are held for other investment purposes.

[2] These derivatives are embedded within liabilities and are not held for risk management purposes.