SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statements Of Cash Flows) (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
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)		$ 399	$ 490	$ 385	$ 367	$ 816	$ 418	$ 411	$ 435	$ 1,641	$ 2,079	$ 1,192
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Other										89	100	305
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities										1,943	788	1,272
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements										735	(429)	415
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities										3,668	1,612	2,959
Sale of business, net										(12)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities										(5,815)	(4,188)	(3,666)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities										(537)		(600)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs										1,094		395
Payment related to early extinguishment of debt										(23)		(59)
Repurchase of common stock										(900)	(725)	(879)
Dividends paid to common stockholders										(289)	(262)	(238)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities										4,589	2,306	1,970
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash										717	(1,094)	(424)
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year					1,628				2,722	1,628	2,722	3,146
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-year		2,345				1,628				2,345	1,628	2,722
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)										1,641	2,079	1,192
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in (income) loss of subsidiaries greater than distributions	[1]									(756)	(1,166)	(325)
Realized (gain) loss										(3)	3
Change in federal income tax accruals										15	107	120
Other										(27)	20	54
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities										870	1,043	1,041
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital contribution to subsidiaries	[1]									(502)	(60)
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements										89	(42)	(23)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities										(413)	(102)	(23)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities										(537)		(350)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs										1,094		395
Payment related to early extinguishment of debt										(23)		(59)
Increase (decrease) in loans from subsidiaries, net	[1]									52	(230)	37
Increase (decrease) in loans to subsidiaries, net	[1]									(48)	239	(20)
Common stock issued for benefit plans										(6)	46	26
Repurchase of common stock										(900)	(725)	(879)
Dividends paid to common stockholders										(289)	(262)	(238)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities										(657)	(932)	(1,088)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash										(200)	9	(70)
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year					$ 620				$ 611	620	611	681
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-year		$ 420				$ 620				$ 420	$ 620	$ 611

[1] Eliminated in consolidation.