Schedule V Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Divested Businesses
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Net change	$ 1	$ (6)	$ 0
Allowance for mortgage and other loans receivable
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at the beginning of the year	312	405	740
Charged to costs and expenses	(8)	20	(103)
Charge offs	(68)	(116)	(44)
Other changes	34	9	17
Balance at the end of the year	271	312	405
Allowance for mortgage and other loans receivable | Segment Discontinued Operations
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Net change		0	(205)
Allowance for premiums and insurances balances receivable
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at the beginning of the year	560	624	484
Charged to costs and expenses	35	14	174
Charge offs	(99)	(74)	(36)
Other changes	(65)	(4)	2
Balance at the end of the year	431	560	624
Allowance for reinsurance assets
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at the beginning of the year	276	338	364
Charged to costs and expenses	4	(42)	(4)
Charge offs	(3)	(31)	(1)
Other changes	(19)	11	(21)
Balance at the end of the year	258	276	338
Federal and foreign valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at the beginning of the year	3,596	8,036	11,047
Charged to costs and expenses	(181)	(3,165)	(1,907)
Charge offs	0	0	0
Other changes	(1,676)	(1,235)	(1,104)
Balance at the end of the year	1,739	3,596	8,036
Federal and foreign valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | Segment Discontinued Operations
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Net change	$ 0	$ (40)