FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 11) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	$ 19,330	$ 19,489
Short-term investments	22,557	22,572
Cash	1,608	1,474	1,542	1,558
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	31,905	27,554
Total Fair Value
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	20,648	20,494
Other invested assets	3,660	3,390
Short-term investments	15,257	16,657
Cash	1,608	1,474
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	126,809	122,125
Other liabilities	2,674	896
Long-term debt	70,266	61,295
Level 1
Assets:
Cash	1,608
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	18,229
Level 2
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	549
Other invested assets	209
Short-term investments	15,257
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	138
Other liabilities	1,843
Long-term debt	50,605
Level 3
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	20,099
Other invested assets	3,451
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	126,671
Other liabilities	831
Long-term debt	1,792
Carrying Value
Assets:
Mortgage and other loans receivable	19,200	19,382
Other invested assets	4,947	4,701
Short-term investments	15,257	16,659
Cash	1,608	1,474
Liabilities:
Policyholder contract deposits associated with investment-type contracts	107,119	106,950
Other liabilities	2,676	896
Long-term debt	$ 64,913	$ 64,487