Shares and Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Reconciliation of the denominator (number of shares) in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share Table
Weighted-average shares, as used in basic calculation (in shares)	311,391,263	304,483,369	313,192,667	303,358,882
Shares to cover exercise of outstanding warrants (in shares)	10,150,292	13,049,451	10,150,292	13,049,451
Shares to cover conversion of preferred stock (in shares)	174,603	181,840	174,613	182,645
Shares to cover non-vested stock (in shares)	816,834	620,528	794,095	611,940
Average stock options outstanding during the period (in shares)	633,711	824,066	796,792	802,341
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds from exercising outstanding warrants (in shares)	(3,846,217)	(5,015,012)	(3,758,105)	(5,221,717)
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the year) (in shares)	(400,374)	(535,667)	(517,329)	(525,529)
Shares repurchaseable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense (in shares)	(36,857)	(192,996)	(104,962)	(177,687)
Average deferred compensation shares (in shares)	1,031,814	1,196,054	1,053,100	1,275,743
Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation (in shares)	319,915,069	314,611,633	321,781,163	313,356,069
Deferred compensation plan mark to market adjustment	$ 1	$ 2		$ 2
Series A preferred stock [Member]
Changes in preferred and common stock (number of shares) [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-period	10,914	11,365	10,914	11,497
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	(60)	0	(60)	(132)
Balance as of end-of-period (in shares)	10,854	11,365	10,854	11,365
Series B preferred stock [Member]
Changes in preferred and common stock (number of shares) [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-period	0	950,000	0	950,000
Issuance (redemption) of Series B preferred stock (in shares)	0	(950,000)	0	(950,000)
Balance as of end-of-period (in shares)	0	0	0	0
Common stock [Member]
Changes in preferred and common stock (number of shares) [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-period	313,456,824	302,467,034	315,718,554	302,223,281
Stock issued (in shares)	0	14,137,615	0	14,137,615
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	960	0	960	2,112
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans (in shares)	30,772	57,831	182,906	317,565
Retirement/cancellation of shares (in shares)	(5,149,393)	0	(7,563,257)	(18,093)
Balance as of end-of-period (in shares)	308,339,163	316,662,480	308,339,163	316,662,480
Common stock as of end-of-year:
Assuming conversion of preferred stock (in shares)			308,512,827	316,844,320
Diluted basis (in shares)			316,821,550	325,852,768
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on AFS Securities [Member]
Components and changes in accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-year			1,072	49
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards			0	181
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period			627	2,691
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment			22	(32)
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and other contract holder funds			(132)	(1,070)
Income tax benefit (expense)			(185)	(573)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)			(38)	(27)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) on derivatives included in net income (loss)			0	(2)
Less: Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL			(19)	(3)
Less: Income tax benefit (expense)			20	11
Balance as of end-of-period	1,441	1,267	1,441	1,267
Unrealized Other Than Temporary Impairment on Available For Sale Securities [Member]
Components and changes in accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-year			(129)	(115)
Increases attributable to: Gross OTTI recognized in OCI during the period			(27)	(22)
Increases attributable to: Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL			6	(2)
Increases attributable to: Income tax benefit (expense)			7	8
Decreases attributable to: Sales, maturities or other settlements of AFS Securities			66	42
Decreases attributable to: Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL			(13)	(10)
Decreases attributable to: Income tax benefit (expense)			(18)	(11)
Balance as of end-of-period	(108)	(110)	(108)	(110)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member]
Components and changes in accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-year			(15)	11
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment			(14)	32
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period			(34)	(65)
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL			1	3
Income tax benefit (expense)			17	11
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)			(9)	10
Less: Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL			1	(1)
Less: Income tax benefit (expense)			3	(3)
Balance as of end-of-period	(40)	(14)	(40)	(14)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Components and changes in accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-year			1	3
Foreign currency translation adjustment arising during the period			(6)	(2)
Income tax benefit (expense)			2	0
Balance as of end-of-period	(3)	1	(3)	1
Funded Status of Employee Benefit Plans [Member]
Components and changes in accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-year			(181)	(210)
Adjustment arising during the period			5	6
Income tax benefit (expense)			(2)	(2)
Balance as of end-of-period	$ (178)	$ (206)	$ (178)	$ (206)