TOTAL EQUITY (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Fixed Maturity Investments on Which Other-Than-Temporary Credit Impairments Were Taken
Unrealized change arising during period	$ 922	$ (235)	$ 1,949	$ 265
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income (loss)	16	31	12	(6)
Total, Other-Than-Temporary Impairments in AOCI	906	(266)	1,937	271
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	409	(82)	810	166
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit)	497	(184)	1,127	105
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of All Other Investments
Unrealized change arising during period	3,600	2,067	8,072	4,570
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	198	2,972	1,475	4,950
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax expense (benefit)	3,402	(905)	6,597	(380)
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	1,071	1,103	1,980	574
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit)	2,331	(2,008)	4,617	(954)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Unrealized change arising during period	258	(529)	(167)	428
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income		175		1,681
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax expense (benefit)	258	(704)	(167)	(1,253)
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	18	(122)	(71)	(442)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit)	240	(582)	(96)	(811)
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Arising from Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Unrealized change arising during period	(1)	(2)	(2)	(5)
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	(4)	(16)	(13)	(50)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax expense (benefit)	3	14	11	45
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	1	71	(14)	31
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit)	2	(57)	25	14
Change in Retirement Plan Liabilities Adjustment
Unrealized change arising during period	1	(576)	5	(595)
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	(19)	(30)	(61)	(307)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax expense (benefit)	20	(546)	66	(288)
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	(9)	(207)	5	(98)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit)	29	(339)	61	(190)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassification Adjustments
Unrealized change arising during period	4,780	725	9,857	4,663
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	191	3,132	1,413	6,268
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax expense (benefit)	4,589	(2,407)	8,444	(1,605)
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	1,490	763	2,710	231
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 3,099	$ (3,170)	$ 5,734	$ (1,836)