Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues
Insurance premiums	$ 2,687	$ 2,462	$ 2,294
Fee income	4,069	3,736	3,437
Net investment income	4,754	4,698	4,652
Realized gain (loss):
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	(80)	(259)	(169)
Net portion of OTTI recognized in OCI, pre-tax	10	106	45
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings	(70)	(153)	(124)
Realized gain (loss), excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	(65)	227	(170)
Total realized gain (loss)	(135)	74	(294)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	74	74	75
Other revenues	520	491	477
Total revenues	11,969	11,535	10,641
Expenses
Interest credited	2,510	2,470	2,488
Benefits	3,862	3,541	3,345
Commissions and other expenses	3,701	3,683	3,264
Interest and debt expense	265	273	294
Impairment of intangibles			747
Total expenses	10,338	9,967	10,138
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	1,631	1,568	503
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	387	282	274
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,244	1,286	229
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of federal income taxes		27	(8)
Net income (loss)	1,244	1,313	221
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	(2,457)	1,119	1,771
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities	29	2	25
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	93	44	130
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1)	(5)
Funded status of employee benefit plans	91	(32)	(97)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,245)	1,128	1,829
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (1,001)	$ 2,441	$ 2,050
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 4.68	$ 4.58	$ 0.75
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.10	$ (0.03)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 4.68	$ 4.68	$ 0.72
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 4.52	$ 4.47	$ 0.72
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.09	$ (0.03)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 4.52	$ 4.56	$ 0.69