Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Fee income and other	$ 1,097	$ 1,210	$ 1,462
Earned premiums	92	32	184
Net investment income (loss):
Net Investment Income	1,456	1,543	1,683
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses	(63)	(31)	(54)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Reclassification Adjustment of Noncredit Portion Included in Net Income, Availabe-for-sale Securities, before Tax	2	2	9
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(61)	(29)	(45)
Other net realized capital gains (losses)	(85)	606	(1,190)
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	(146)	577	326
Total revenues	2,499	3,362	3,655
Benefits, losses and expenses
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	69	206	228
Insurance operating costs and other expenses	(524)	(851)	401
Dividends to policyholders	2	7	18
Total benefits, losses and expenses	1,969	2,501	3,094
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	530	861	561
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	30	184	49
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	500	677	512
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			(41)
Net income	500	677	471
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	1	6
Net income (loss) attributable to Hartford Life Insurance Company	500	676	465
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal	28	23	(1,491)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign				$ 0
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	1,402	1,460	1,758
Business Disposition [Member]
Benefits, losses and expenses
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,561