FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 12) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	$ 19,519	$ 19,489
Short-term investments	20,789	22,572
Cash	1,315	1,474	1,801	1,558
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	31,346	27,554
Total Fair Value
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	20,958	20,494
Other invested assets	4,560	3,390
Short-term investments	14,351	16,657
Cash	1,315	1,474
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	123,878	122,125
Other liabilities	476
Long-term debt	67,214	61,295
Level 1
Assets:
Cash	1,315
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	14,991
Level 2
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	668
Other invested assets	462
Short-term investments	14,351
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	281
Long-term debt	49,523
Level 3
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	20,290
Other invested assets	4,098
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	123,597
Other liabilities	476
Long-term debt	2,700
Carrying Value
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	19,405	19,382
Other invested assets	4,864	4,701
Short-term investments	16,381	16,659
Cash	1,315	1,474
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	107,019	106,950
Other liabilities	476
Long-term debt	$ 65,517	$ 64,487