Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal		$ (20)	$ 0	$ (28)	$ 0
Revenues
Fee income and other		261	292	816	923
Earned premiums		(27)	(56)	(73)	15
Net investment income:
Net investment income		364	391	1,129	1,178
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses		(25)	(10)	(34)	(21)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Reclassification Adjustment of Noncredit Portion Included in Net Income, Availabe-for-sale Securities, before Tax		1	0	2	1
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings		(24)	(10)	(32)	(20)
Other net realized capital gains (losses)		2	60	14	614
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)		(22)	50	(18)	594
Total revenues		630	789	2,000	2,680
Benefits, losses and expenses
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net		360	421	993	1,090
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits		34	134	73	188
Insurance operating costs and other expenses		126	144	406	696
Dividends to policyholders		0	0	0	2
Benefits, Losses and Expenses		500	699	1,444	1,976
Income before income taxes		130	90	556	704
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		12	(1)	63	157
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		118	91	493	547
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		1	3	1	3
Net income attributable to Hartford Life Insurance Company		117	88	492	544
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities		$ 2,300	$ 2,600	$ 7,900	8,200
Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company [Member] | White River Life Reinsurance [Member]
Revenues
Earned premiums					5
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	[1]				(103)
Total revenues					(108)
Benefits, losses and expenses
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net					(1)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses					(4)
Benefits, Losses and Expenses					(5)
Income before income taxes					(103)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)					(36)
Reinsurance Loss on Dispositions [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal					$ 0

[1] Amounts represent the change in valuation of the derivative associated with this transaction.