Guaranteed Benefit Features (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended											9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Domestic Equity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Domestic Equity [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 International Equity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 International Equity [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bonds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Money Market [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Money Market [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Return of Net Deposits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Return of Net Deposits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum Return [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum Return [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Anniversary Contract Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Anniversary Contract Value [Member]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Total Account Value													$ 61,418	$ 54,004	$ 152	$ 155	$ 22,968	$ 21,648
Net amount at risk													460	1,379	37	48	1,305	2,939
Average attained age of contract holders													60	59	72	72	67	67
Guaranteed minimum return															5.00%	5.00%
Balance as of beginning-of-year		84	44
Changes in reserves		54	108
Benefits paid		(36)	(34)
Balance as of end-of-period	102	102	118
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Total Account Value													61,418	54,004	152	155	22,968	21,648
Net amount at risk													460	1,379	37	48	1,305	2,939
Average attained age of contract holders													60	59	72	72	67	67
Guaranteed minimum return															5.00%	5.00%
Balance as of beginning-of-year		84	44
Changes in reserves		54	108
Benefits paid		(36)	(34)
Balance as of end-of-period	102	102	118
Asset type
Total	$ 79,717	$ 79,717		$ 71,008	$ 37,679	$ 34,286	$ 14,466	$ 13,095	$ 20,347	$ 17,735	$ 7,225	$ 5,892
Percent of total variable annuity separate account values	98.00%	98.00%		98.00%
Percent of permanent life insurance in force	38.00%	38.00%
Percent of permanent life insurance sales	26.00%	31.00%