DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL (VOBA) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Changes in VOBA [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning-of-year		$ 649	$ 1,191	$ 724
Business acquired (sold) through reinsurance		(22)	2	4
Deferrals		8	9	13
Amortization:
Amortization, excluding unlocking		(129)	(186)	(179)
Unlocking		(82)	(21)	(52)
Accretion of interest	[1]	56	64	68
Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses		(1)	(1)	(1)
Adjustment related to unrealized (gains) losses		414	(409)	614
Balance as of end-of-year		$ 893	$ 649	$ 1,191
Interest accrual rate, low end		4.02%
Interest accrual rate, high end		7.05%

[1] The interest accrual rates utilized to calculate the accretion of interest ranged from 4.02% to 7.05%.