Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Fee income and other	$ 969	$ 1,097	$ 1,210
Earned premiums	203	92	32
Net investment income (loss):
Net Investment Income	1,373	1,456	1,543
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses	(29)	(63)	(31)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Reclassification Adjustment of Noncredit Portion Included in Net Income, Availabe-for-sale Securities, before Tax	1	2	2
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(28)	(61)	(29)
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(135)	(85)	606
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	(163)	(146)	577
Total revenues	2,382	2,499	3,362
Benefits, losses and expenses
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	1,437	1,402	1,460
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits, Amortization	114	69	206
Insurance operating costs and other expenses	(472)	(524)	(851)
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal	0	28	23
Dividends to policyholders	3	2	7
Total benefits, losses and expenses	2,026	1,969	2,501
Income before income taxes	356	530	861
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	74	30	184
Net income	282	500	677
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	1
Net income (loss) attributable to Hartford Life Insurance Company	282	500	676
Reinsurance gain (loss) on Dispositions [Domain]
Benefits, losses and expenses
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal	$ 0	$ 28	$ 23