CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 294	$ 980	$ (485)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	(252)	(246)	(316)
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	88	47	(3)
Change in premiums and fees receivable	(73)	(14)	128
Change in accrued investment income	(48)	(44)	(75)
Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	125	643	(463)
Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities	(66)	22	77
Change in federal income tax accruals	338	414	9
Realized (gain) loss	299	77	1,146
Equity in (income) loss of subsidiaries greater than distributions	(90)	(93)	55
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt	8	5	(64)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(75)	(75)	(76)
Impairment of intangibles	747	0	730
(Gain) loss on disposal of discontinued operations	3	(66)	219
Other	(21)	70	55
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,277	1,720	937
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(10,702)	(13,057)	(13,532)
Sales of available-for-sale securities	1,497	3,118	3,818
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	5,324	4,652	3,330
Purchases of other investments	(3,282)	(3,581)	(4,261)
Sales or maturities of other investments	3,094	3,239	4,340
Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments	2,074	(248)	(1,799)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries/businesses, net of cash disposed	0	321	327
Other	(130)	(74)	(75)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,125)	(5,630)	(7,852)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(525)	(405)	(522)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	298	749	788
Increase (decrease) in commercial paper, net	(100)	1	(216)
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	10,953	11,080	11,378
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(5,050)	(5,305)	(5,530)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	(2,325)	(2,957)	(2,248)
Common stock issued for benefit plans and excess tax benefits	3	1	0
Issuance (redemption) of Series B preferred stock and issuance (repurchase and cancellation) of associated common stock warrants	0	(998)	950
Issuance of common stock	0	368	652
Repurchase of common stock	(576)	(25)	0
Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders	(61)	(42)	(79)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,617	2,467	5,173
Net increase (decrease) in cash and invested cash	1,769	(1,443)	(1,742)
Cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations, as of beginning-of-year	2,741	4,184	5,926
Cash and invested cash, including discontinued operations, as of end-of-year	$ 4,510	$ 2,741	$ 4,184