Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$ 1,279	$ 1,236
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums		53	1
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs		(103)	(87)
Increase in policy liabilities		1,654	1,714
Change in income tax liabilities		(136)	130
Realized investment (gains) losses		114	(140)
Other, net		(7)	249	[1]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		2,854	3,103
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold		675	1,410
Fixed maturities matured or called		612	518
Perpetual securities matured or called		234	348
Equity securities sold		50	1
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called		736	420
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired		(3,827)	(3,004)
Available for sale equity securities acquired		(691)	0
Other investments, net		(324)	(31)
Settlement of derivatives, net		664	(2,200)
Cash received (pledged or returned) as collateral, net		(525)	(1,001)
Other, net		(33)	(27)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		(2,429)	(3,566)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock		(1,014)	(848)
Proceeds from borrowings		0	998
Principal payments under debt obligations		(1)	(850)
Dividends paid to shareholders		(330)	(328)
Change in investment-type contracts, net		82	147
Treasury stock reissued		19	20
Other, net		(37)	(226)	[1]
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(1,281)	(1,087)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		206	(5)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(650)	(1,555)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4,350	4,658
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		3,700	3,103
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid		944	527
Interest paid		101	127
Noncash interest		30	30
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	[2]	47	6
Capital lease obligations incurred		2	1
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued		17	18
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued		12	12
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued		$ 5	4
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Extinguishment of debt, make-whole premium			$ 230

[1] Operating activities excludes and financing activities includes a cash outflow of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt

[2] Includes $33 and an immaterial amount for the three-month periods and $47 and $6 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities or change in intent to hold securities until recovery