CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 2,231	$ 3,449
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(93)	(64)
Noncash revenues, expenses, gains and losses included in income (loss):
Net (gains) losses on sales of securities available for sale and other assets	(339)	(925)
Net (gains) losses on extinguishment of debt	340
Unrealized (gains) losses in earnings - net	(769)	(3,425)
Equity in (income) loss from equity method investments, net of dividends or distributions	(442)	(225)
Depreciation and other amortization	1,180	1,215
Impairments of assets	139	687
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Property casualty and life insurance reserves	643	271
Premiums and other receivables and payables - net	(474)	(51)
Reinsurance assets and funds held under reinsurance treaties	(2,035)	(1,059)
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(1,422)	(1,417)
Current and deferred income taxes - net	590	1,003
Other, net	(326)	47
Total adjustments	(2,915)	(3,879)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	(777)	(494)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations	628	588
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(149)	94
Sales or distribution of:
Available for sale investments	7,346	10,749
Trading securities	1,728	3,080
Other invested assets	1,740	6,781
Maturities of fixed maturity securities available for sale	5,617	4,853
Principal payments received on and sales of mortgage and other loans receivable	703	709
Purchases of:
Available for sale investments	(15,290)	(13,955)
Trading securities	(822)	(924)
Other invested assets	(1,269)	(1,196)
Mortgage and other loans receivable issued and purchased	(788)	(794)
Net change in restricted cash	(8)	(561)
Net change in short-term investments	5,721	1,480
Other, net	(291)	(463)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	4,387	9,759
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations	(423)	222
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,964	9,981
Proceeds from (payments for)
Policyholder contract deposits	3,262	3,510
Policyholder contract withdrawals	(4,458)	(3,930)
Issuance of long-term debt	131	2,230
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,861)	(1,994)
Repayment of Department of the Treasury SPV Preferred Interests		(8,636)
Purchase of Common Stock		(3,000)
Other, net	430	1,345
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	(3,496)	(10,475)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations	(222)	243
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(3,718)	(10,232)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(36)	(2)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	61	(159)
Cash at beginning of period	1,151	1,474
Change in cash of businesses held for sale	15
Cash at end of period	$ 1,227	$ 1,315