Shares and Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 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)	304,779,641	316,726,409	310,357,508	307,863,690
Shares to cover exercise of outstanding warrants (in shares)	10,150,292	12,791,748	10,150,292	12,963,550
Shares to cover conversion of preferred stock (in shares)	173,664	175,095	174,293	180,101
Shares to cover non-vested stock (in shares)	815,594	584,206	801,261	602,443
Average stock options outstanding during the period (in shares)	500,578	580,067	698,054	728,250
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds from exercising outstanding warrants (in shares)	(5,153,660)	(5,805,269)	(4,223,290)	(5,416,234)
Assumed acquisition of shares with assumed proceeds and benefits from exercising stock options (at average market price for the year) (in shares)	(342,848)	(383,607)	(459,168)	(478,222)
Shares repurchaseable from measured but unrecognized stock option expense (in shares)	(31,025)	(97,164)	(80,317)	(150,846)
Average deferred compensation shares (in shares)	1,105,447	1,112,284	1,070,549	1,221,257
Weighted-average shares, as used in diluted calculation (in shares)	311,997,683	325,683,769	318,489,182	317,513,989
Deferred compensation plan mark to market adjustment	$ 5	$ 1		$ 3
Series A preferred stock [Member]
Changes in preferred and common stock (number of shares) [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-period	10,854	11,365	10,914	11,497
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	0	(451)	(60)	(583)
Balance as of end-of-period (in shares)	10,854	10,914	10,854	10,914
Series B preferred stock [Member]
Changes in preferred and common stock (number of shares) [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-period	0	0	0	950,000
Issuance (redemption) of Series B preferred stock (in shares)	0	0	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	308,339,163	316,662,480	315,718,554	302,223,281
Stock issued (in shares)	0	0	0	14,137,615
Conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)	0	7,216	960	9,328
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans (in shares)	32,712	84,385	215,618	401,950
Retirement/cancellation of shares (in shares)	(6,712,700)	0	(14,275,957)	(18,093)
Balance as of end-of-period (in shares)	301,659,175	316,754,081	301,659,175	316,754,081
Common stock as of end-of-year:
Assuming conversion of preferred stock (in shares)			301,832,839	316,928,705
Diluted basis (in shares)			306,899,902	324,290,798
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			3,232	4,742
Change in foreign currency exchange rate adjustment			2	(5)
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and other contract holder funds			(885)	(1,799)
Income tax benefit (expense)			(841)	(1,053)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)			(83)	(73)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) on derivatives included in net income (loss)			0	135
Less: Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL			(13)	21
Less: Income tax benefit (expense)			34	(29)
Balance as of end-of-period	2,642	2,061	2,642	2,061
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			(48)	(84)
Increases attributable to: Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL			9	7
Increases attributable to: Income tax benefit (expense)			14	27
Decreases attributable to: Sales, maturities or other settlements of AFS Securities			91	64
Decreases attributable to: Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL			(19)	(12)
Decreases attributable to: Income tax benefit (expense)			(25)	(18)
Balance as of end-of-period	(107)	(131)	(107)	(131)
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			(1)	8
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period			188	(97)
Change in DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL			(1)	(10)
Income tax benefit (expense)			(65)	35
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss)			(3)	13
Less: Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL			0	(1)
Less: Income tax benefit (expense)			1	(4)
Balance as of end-of-period	108	(61)	108	(61)
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			3	(1)
Income tax benefit (expense)			(1)	0
Balance as of end-of-period	3	2	3	2
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			(3)	2
Income tax benefit (expense)			1	(1)
Balance as of end-of-period	$ (183)	$ (209)	$ (183)	$ (209)