Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Maximum retention per single insured life on fixed and VUL insurance contracts	$ 20
Percent of mortality risk reinsured on newly issued non-term life insurance contracts	25.00%
Percent of total individual life in-force amount reinsured	43
Reserves associated with modified coinsurance reinsurance arrangements	$ 617
Reinsurance receivable	5,600	$ 5,700
Policy loans	2,545	2,670
Liabilities for funds withheld	638	764
Proceeds From Reinsurance Recapture		422
Realized Gain Loss	(151)		$ (135)
Current Period Increase In Reserves	270
Swiss Re [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	2,400	2,500
Trust funded by Swiss Re to support reinsurance receivable	2,600
Liabilities for funds withheld	634
Liabilities for reinsurance related embedded derivatives	$ 79
Amortization period (in years) of deferred gain on business sold to Swiss Re	15 years
Amount of amortization, after-tax, of deferred gain on business sold to Swiss Re	$ 48	$ 48	$ 48
Reinsurance Recaptured [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Proceeds From Reinsurance Recapture	500
Reimbursement for prepaid reinsurance premiums	78
Realized Gain Loss	57
Current Period Increase In Reserves	226
Reduction of DAC	$ (123)