Fair Value Measurements (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member] Equity linked notes [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member] Equity linked notes [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member] Equity linked notes [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member] Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member] Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Other policyholder funds and benefits payable [Member] Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Other Liabilities [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Other Liabilities [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Consumer Notes [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Consumer Notes [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Consumer Notes [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company (HLAI) White River Life Reinsurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company (HLAI) White River Life Reinsurance [Member]
Roll Forward of Financial Instruments (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Liabilities), Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis, Beginning Balance			$ (5,785)	[1]	$ (4,155)	[1]			$ (9)	[1]	$ (10)	[1]			$ (5,776)	[1],[2]	$ (4,145)	[1],[2]	$ (9)	[1]	$ (21)	[1]			$ (4)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income	800	[1],[3],[4]	1,519	[1],[3],[4]			(2)	[1],[3],[4]	(1)	[1],[3],[4]			802	[1],[2],[3],[4]	1,520	[1],[2],[3],[4]			(12)	[1],[3],[4]			0	[1],[3],[4]	0	[1],[3],[4]
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI	135	[5]	183	[1],[5]				[5]	0	[1],[5]			135	[2],[5]	183	[1],[2],[5]			0	[5]				[5]	0	[5]
Settlements	(22)		(72)	[1]			0		0	[1]			(22)	[2]	(72)	[1],[2]			0	[1]			0		0	[1]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Liabilities), Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis, Ending Balance	(2,214)		(3,127)		(4,155)	[1]	(10)		(8)		(10)	[1]	(2,204)	[2]	(3,119)	[2]	(4,145)	[1],[2]			(21)	[1]	(2)		(2)		(4)	[1]
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income related to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2012	800	[2],[4]	1,519	[1],[2],[4]			(2)	[2],[4]	(1)	[1],[2],[4]			802	[2],[4]	1,520	[1],[2],[4]			(12)	[2],[4]			0	[2],[4]	0	[2],[4]
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure																													$ 400	$ 1,600

[1] The Company classifies gains and losses on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and Guaranteed Living Benefit embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.

[2] Includes both market and non-market impacts in deriving realized and unrealized gains (losses).

[3] Includes fair value of reinsurance recoverables of approximately $435 and $1.6 billion as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to a transaction entered into with an affiliated captive reinsurer. See Note 11 - Transactions with Affiliates of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

[4] All amounts in these rows are reported in net realized capital gains (losses). The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company. All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.

[5] All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.