Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Roll Forward]
Balance, end of period		$ 542	$ 521	$ 689
Deferred costs		7	14	16
Amortization — DAC		(82)	(110)	(124)
Amortization — Unlock benefit (charge), pre-tax	[1]	13	(96)	(104)
Disposition of DAC asset		(69)	(206)	(228)
Adjustments to unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and other		(83)	(24)	(58)
Balance, beginning of period		521	689	3,072
Retirement Plans [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Roll Forward]
Amortization — DAC				(352)
Adjustments to unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and other				(148)
Individual Life [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Roll Forward]
Amortization — DAC				(2,374)
Adjustments to unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and other				(349)
Retirement Plans and Individual Life Businesses [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits [Roll Forward]
Disposition of DAC asset		$ 0	$ 0	$ (2,229)

[1] Includes accelerated amortization of $352 and $2,374 recognized upon the sale of the Retirement Plans and Individual Life businesses, respectively, in 2013. For further information, see Note 12 - Discontinued Operations and Business Dispositions of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.