Statutory Results Level 4 Statutory Results (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Risk Based Capital Requirements Compliance Assertion	All of the Company's operating insurance subsidiaries had RBC ratios in excess of the minimum levels required by the applicable insurance regulations. The RBC ratios for the Company's principal life insurance operating subsidiaries were all in excess of 425% of their Company Action Levels as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,196,000,000	$ 116,000,000
Amount Received as Dividend Distribution from Subsidiary		1,100,000,000
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments	316
Statutory Accounting Practices, Dividends Paid with Approval of Regulatory Agency	800	1,200,000,000
Statutory Results [Abstract]
Combined statutory net income	132,000,000	1,290,000,000	927,000,000
Statutory capital and surplus	5,564,000,000	5,005,000,000	5,016,000,000
Percent available for dividend distribution without prior approval from regulatory agency	10.00%
Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Amount Received as Dividend Distribution from Subsidiary	500,000,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Amount available for dividend distribution without prior approval from regulatory agency					556,000,000	0
Statutory Accounting Practices, Dividends Paid with Approval of Regulatory Agency				500
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | U S Life Insurance Subsidiaries Includes Domestic Captive Insurance Subsidiaries [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Amount available for dividend distribution without prior approval from regulatory agency					$ 475,000,000