CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$ 2,462	$ 2,294	$ 2,176
Insurance fees	3,733	3,437	3,234
Net investment income	4,698	4,652	4,541
Realized gain (loss):
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	(259)	(169)	(247)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	106	45	87
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings	(153)	(124)	(160)
Realized gain (loss), excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	227	(170)	91
Total realized gain (loss)	74	(294)	(69)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	74	75	75
Other revenues and fees	491	477	458
Total revenues	11,532	10,641	10,415
Benefits and Expenses
Interest credited	2,470	2,488	2,488
Benefits	3,538	3,345	3,327
Commissions and other expenses	3,683	3,264	3,174
Interest and debt expense	273	294	291
Impairment of intangibles	0	747	0
Total expenses	9,964	10,138	9,280
Income (loss) before federal income taxes, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends	1,568	503	1,135
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	282	274	262
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,286	229	873
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal income taxes	27	(8)	29
Net income (loss)	1,313	221	902
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	1,119	1,771	1,127
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities	2	25	(19)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	44	130	(22)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5)	0	(2)
Funded status of employee benefit plans	(32)	(97)	29
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,128	1,829	1,113
Comprehensive income (loss)	2,441	2,050	2,015
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	1,313	221	902
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount	0	0	(167)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 1,313	$ 221	$ 735
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 4.58	$ 0.75	$ 2.28
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ (0.03)	$ 0.09
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 4.68	$ 0.72	$ 2.37
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 4.47	$ 0.72	$ 2.21
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ (0.03)	$ 0.09
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 4.56	$ 0.69	$ 2.30