Transactions with Affiliates Transactions with Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Earned premiums	$ 1,000,000	$ 60,000,000	$ 69,000,000	$ 180,000,000
Net realized gains (losses)	(167,000,000)	1,027,000,000	(705,000,000)	537,000,000
Total revenues	1,409,000,000	2,537,000,000	4,127,000,000	5,490,000,000
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses	762,000,000	938,000,000	2,198,000,000	2,414,000,000
Insurance operating costs and other expenses	215,000,000	2,346,000,000	782,000,000	3,015,000,000
Total benefits, losses and expenses	1,147,000,000	3,356,000,000	3,412,000,000	5,757,000,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	262,000,000	(819,000,000)	715,000,000	(267,000,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	59,000,000	(316,000,000)	137,000,000	(318,000,000)
Net income (loss)	203,000,000	(503,000,000)	578,000,000	51,000,000
Reinsurance recoverables	3,762,000,000		3,762,000,000		5,006,000,000
Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company (HLAI) | White River Life Reinsurance (WRR)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Earned premiums	(18,000,000)	(19,000,000)	(53,000,000)	(50,000,000)
Net realized gains (losses)	(664,000,000)	977,000,000	(1,192,000,000)	484,000,000
Total revenues	(682,000,000)	958,000,000	(1,245,000,000)	434,000,000
Benefits, losses and loss adjustment expenses	(14,000,000)	(12,000,000)	(42,000,000)	(37,000,000)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses	(317,000,000)	1,821,000,000	(822,000,000)	1,445,000,000
Total benefits, losses and expenses	(331,000,000)	1,809,000,000	(864,000,000)	1,408,000,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	(351,000,000)	(851,000,000)	(381,000,000)	(974,000,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(123,000,000)	(298,000,000)	(133,000,000)	(336,000,000)
Net income (loss)	(228,000,000)	(553,000,000)	(248,000,000)	(638,000,000)
Reinsurance (payables) / recoverables	(2,100,000,000)		(2,100,000,000)		(2,900,000,000)
Deposit liabilities	323,000,000		323,000,000		0
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 1,700,000,000		$ 1,700,000,000		$ 2,600,000,000