Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Consolidation The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of HLIC, companies in which the Company directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest and those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) which the Company is required to consolidate. Entities in which HLIC has significant influence over the operating and financing decisions but is not required to consolidate are reported using the equity method. For further discussions on VIEs, see Note 3 - Investments and Derivative Instruments of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. All intercompany transactions and balances between HLIC and its subsidiaries have been eliminated.
Reclassification [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial information to conform to the current period presentation.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates include those used in determining estimated gross profits used in the valuation and amortization of assets and liabilities associated with variable annuity and other universal life-type contracts; evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities and valuation allowances on investments; living benefits required to be fair valued; valuation of investments and derivative instruments; valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; and contingencies relating to corporate litigation and regulatory matters. Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

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