Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 145us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 57us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Total comprehensive income	258	369
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	1
Total comprehensive income attributable to Hartford Life Insurance Company	258us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	368us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Total other comprehensive income	113	312
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in net unrealized gain / loss on securities	103	315
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in net gain / loss on cash-flow hedging instruments	10	(2)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 0	$ (1)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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