SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	[1]	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues
Net investment income												$ 4,990	$ 4,874	$ 4,827
Other revenues												539	491	531
Total revenues		$ 3,669		$ 3,511	$ 3,577	$ 3,500	$ 3,255		$ 3,525	$ 3,307	$ 3,243	14,257	13,330	13,572
Expenses
Operating and administrative expenses												1,766	1,687	1,701
Total expenses		4,057		3,001	3,044	3,025	3,058		2,913	2,893	3,008	13,127	11,872	12,142
Income (loss) before federal income taxes, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends												1,130	1,458	1,430
Federal income tax expense (benefit)												(949)	266	276
Net income (loss)		$ 816		$ 418	$ 411	$ 435	$ 189		$ 467	$ 325	$ 211	2,079	1,192	1,154
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized investment gains (losses)												1,643	709	(2,229)
Foreign currency translation adjustment												13	(22)	(2)
Funded status of employee benefit plans												(8)	(34)	20
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax												1,664	721	(2,251)
Comprehensive income (loss)												3,743	1,913	(1,097)
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Dividends from subsidiaries	[2]											1,069	1,035	1,175
Interest from subsidiaries	[2]											133	123	111
Net investment income												2	3
Realized gain (loss)												(3)
Other revenues														25
Total revenues												1,201	1,161	1,311
Expenses
Operating and administrative expenses												40	46	38
Interest - subsidiaries	[2]											21	16	7
Interest - other												247	327	270
Total expenses												308	389	315
Income (loss) before federal income taxes, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends												893	772	996
Federal income tax expense (benefit)												(20)	(95)	(66)
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends												913	867	1,062
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends	[2]											1,166	325	92
Net income (loss)												2,079	1,192	1,154
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized investment gains (losses)												1,643	709	(2,229)
Foreign currency translation adjustment												13	(22)	(2)
Funded status of employee benefit plans												8	34	(20)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax												1,664	721	(2,251)
Comprehensive income (loss)												$ 3,743	$ 1,913	$ (1,097)

[1] Fourth quarter 2017 results include a goodwill impairment charge and the impacts of remeasuring our existing deferred tax balances for the impact of the Tax Act as disclosed elsewhere herein

[2] Eliminated in consolidation.