SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues
Net investment income										$ 5,085	$ 4,990	$ 4,874
Other revenues										602	539	491
Total revenues		$ 4,531	$ 4,264	$ 4,020	$ 3,609	$ 3,669	$ 3,511	$ 3,577	$ 3,500	16,424	14,257	13,330
Expenses
Operating and administrative expenses										1,953	1,766	1,687
Total expenses		4,064	3,732	3,569	3,174	4,057	3,001	3,044	3,025	14,539	13,127	11,872
Income (loss) before federal income taxes, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends										1,885	1,130	1,458
Federal income tax expense (benefit)										244	(949)	266
Net income (loss)		$ 399	$ 490	$ 385	$ 367	$ 816	$ 418	$ 411	$ 435	1,641	2,079	1,192
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized other-than-temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities												55
Unrealized investment gains (losses)										(3,449)	1,643	709
Foreign currency translation adjustment										(9)	13	(22)
Funded status of employee benefit plans										(7)	8	34
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax										(3,465)	1,664	721
Comprehensive income (loss)										(1,824)	3,743	1,913
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Dividends from subsidiaries	[1]									1,025	1,069	1,035
Interest from subsidiaries	[1]									148	133	123
Net investment income										7	2	3
Realized gain (loss)										3	(3)
Total revenues										1,183	1,201	1,161
Expenses
Operating and administrative expenses										18	40	46
Interest - subsidiaries	[1]									34	21	16
Interest - other										288	247	327
Total expenses										340	308	389
Income (loss) before federal income taxes, equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends										843	893	772
Federal income tax expense (benefit)										(42)	(20)	(95)
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends										885	913	867
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends	[1]									756	1,166	325
Net income (loss)										1,641	2,079	1,192
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized investment gains (losses)										(3,449)	1,643	709
Foreign currency translation adjustment										(9)	13	(22)
Funded status of employee benefit plans										(7)	8	34
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax										(3,465)	1,664	721
Comprehensive income (loss)										$ (1,824)	$ 3,743	$ 1,913

[1] Eliminated in consolidation.