SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Net investment income									$ 4,859		$ 4,754		$ 4,698
Other revenues									960		520		491
Total revenues	3,685	3,411	3,282	3,176	3,122	3,009	2,999	2,839	13,554		11,969		11,535
Expenses
Operating and administrative									1,640		1,630		1,564
Total expenses	3,253	2,810	2,745	2,749	2,656	2,567	2,581	2,534	11,557		10,338		9,967
Income (loss) before federal income tax benefit, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends									1,997		1,631		1,568
Federal income tax expense (benefit)									483		387		282
Net income (loss)	349	439	398	329	351	337	317	239	1,515		1,244		1,313
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities									1,688		(2,457)		1,119
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities									(20)		(29)		(2)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments									(117)		93		44
Foreign currency translation adjustment									2		(1)		(5)
Funded status of employee benefit plans									60		(91)		32
Comprehensive income (loss)									3,048		(1,001)		2,441
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Dividends from subsidiaries									791	[1]	725	[1]	635	[1]
Interest from subsidiaries									125	[1]	128	[1]	128	[1]
Net investment income									1				1
Realized gain (loss)									1		(9)		(6)
Other revenues											5		25
Total revenues									918		849		783
Expenses
Operating and administrative									39		46		10
Interest - subsidiaries									6	[1]	5	[1]	5	[1]
Interest - other									280		282		291
Total expenses									325		333		306
Income (loss) before federal income tax benefit, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends									593		516		477
Federal income tax expense (benefit)									(77)		(73)		(85)
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends									670		589		562
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends									845	[1]	655	[1]	751	[1]
Net income (loss)									1,515		1,244		1,313
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities									1,688		(2,457)		1,119
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities									20		29		2
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments									(117)		93		44
Foreign currency translation adjustment									2		(1)		(5)
Funded status of employee benefit plans									(60)		91		(32)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									1,533		(2,245)		1,128
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ 3,048		$ (1,001)		$ 2,441

[1] Eliminated in consolidation.