SCHEDULE I - CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS - OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	$ 102,422
Carrying Value	106,721
Trading securities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	1,517
Fair Value	1,712
Carrying Value	1,712
Mortgage loans on real estate [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	9,889
Fair Value	9,853
Carrying Value	9,889
Real estate [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	24
Carrying Value	24
Policy loans [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	2,451
Carrying Value	2,451
Derivative instruments [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	1,564	[1]
Fair Value	927	[1]
Carrying Value	927	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	552
Other investments [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	2,230
Fair Value	2,229
Carrying Value	2,230
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	84,487	[2]
Fair Value	89,213	[2]
Carrying Value	89,213	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	582	[2]
Fair Value	604	[2]
Carrying Value	604	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Variable interest entities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	200	[2]
Fair Value	200	[2]
Carrying Value	200	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | U.S. government and government agencies and authorities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	384	[2]
Fair Value	419	[2]
Carrying Value	419	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | ABS [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	1,789	[2]
Fair Value	1,829	[2]
Carrying Value	1,829	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | State and municipal bonds [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	3,929	[2]
Fair Value	4,627	[2]
Carrying Value	4,627	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | MBS [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	3,879	[2]
Fair Value	3,964	[2]
Carrying Value	3,964	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | Foreign governments [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	449	[2]
Fair Value	506	[2]
Carrying Value	506	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | Public utilities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	12,179	[2]
Fair Value	13,111	[2]
Carrying Value	13,111	[2]
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Bonds | All other corporate bonds [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	61,096	[2]
Fair Value	63,953	[2]
Carrying Value	63,953	[2]
Equity AFS securities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	260	[2]
Fair Value	275	[2]
Carrying Value	275	[2]
Equity AFS securities [Member] | Common Stock | Banks, trusts, and insurance companies [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	195	[2]
Fair Value	195	[2]
Carrying Value	195	[2]
Equity AFS securities [Member] | Common Stock | Industrial, miscellaneous and all other [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	17	[2]
Fair Value	24	[2]
Carrying Value	24	[2]
Equity AFS securities [Member] | Common Stock | Nonredeemable preferred securities [Member]
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties [Line Items]
Cost	48	[2]
Fair Value	56	[2]
Carrying Value	$ 56	[2]

[1] Derivative investment assets were offset by $552 million in derivative liabilities reflected in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Investments deemed to have declines in value that are other-than-temporary are written down or reserved for to reduce the carrying value to their estimated realizable value.