Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Activities
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (46)	$ 282	$ 500
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Realized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities, Cost Method Investments, and Other Investments	(60)	(163)	(146)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(48)	(114)	(69)
Additions to deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits	(2)	(7)	(7)
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal	0	0	28
Depreciation and amortization (accretion), net	31	9	(14)
Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement	143	33	38
Change in reinsurance recoverables	4	117	(14)
Change in accrued and deferred income taxes	(5)	278	(62)
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes and Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017	396	0	0
Change in reserve for future policy benefits and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	387	111	276
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net	(219)	(316)	(222)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	797	784	682
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	10,315	10,152	11,465
Proceeds From Sale and Maturity of Fair Value, Option, Fixed Maturity Securties	50	68	107
Equity securities, available-for-sale	203	321	586
Mortgage loans	396	371	467
Proceeds from Limited Partnership Investments	113	395	252
Payments for the purchase of:
Fixed maturities and short-term investments, available-for-sale	(8,713)	(8,889)	(11,755)
Payments to Acquire Fair Value, Option, Fixed Securities		29	67
Equity securities, available-for-sale	(199)	(58)	(535)
Mortgage loans	(469)	(263)	(282)
Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests	235	151	199
Net payments for derivatives	(283)	(261)	(167)
Net increase (decrease) in policy loans	12	2	(31)
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	18	0	0
Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments	251	(769)	1,604
Other investing activities, net	43	(25)	1
Net cash provided by investing activities	1,466	864	1,446
Financing Activities
Deposits and other additions to investment and universal life-type contracts	4,549	4,162	4,674
Withdrawals and other deductions from investment and universal life-type contracts	13,749	14,871	16,972
Net Change Contract Holders Funds	7,969	9,811	10,987
Proceeds from (Payments for) in Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	360	268	264
Return of capital to parent	1,396	752	1,001
Net repayments at maturity or settlement of consumer notes	(13)	(17)	(33)
Net cash used for financing activities	(2,280)	(1,399)	(2,081)
Cash, Period Increase (Decrease)	(17)	249	47
Cash — beginning of year	554	305	258
Cash — end of year	537	554	305
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income Taxes Paid, Net	$ 57	$ 210	$ (80)