DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL (DAC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Changes in DAC [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning-of-year	$ 7,558	$ 7,695	$ 5,943
Business acquired (sold) through reinsurance	38
Deferrals	1,490	1,537	1,564
Amortization, net of interest:
Amortization, excluding unlocking, net of interest	(879)	(988)	(816)
Unlocking	(238)	17	42
Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses	(15)	(31)	(8)
Adjustment related to unrealized (gains) losses	663	(672)	970
Balance as of end-of-year	$ 8,617	$ 7,558	$ 7,695

The amount of other amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, net of interest, during the period.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Additions in deferred policy acquisition costs during the year arising from acquisitions of insurance entities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of adjustment to amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs arising from a revision in estimated gross profit (when such amount serves as the basis for allocating amortization of DAC to reporting periods).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 30
-Section 35
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28247317&loc=d3e10129-158409

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- Definition

Amount of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs due to realized investment gains or losses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
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-Subparagraph (c)
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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in deferred policy acquisition cost (DAC) due to unrealized investment gain (loss).

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Net amount of deferred policy acquisition costs capitalized on contracts remaining in force as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 825
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-Paragraph 1
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Paragraph 7
-Article 7

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 16
-Article 12

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- Definition

Total amount of policy acquisition costs capitalized during the income statement period.

+ References

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

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