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Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax

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- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

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Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Amount of income tax expense (benefit) from effect of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

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Segment Information (Reconciliation Of Income (Loss) From Operations By Segment To Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after-tax									$ (42)	$ (23)	$ 5
Impairment of intangibles, after-tax											(905)
Net income (loss)	$ 431	$ (161)	$ 363	$ 252	$ 399	$ 490	$ 385	$ 367	886	1,641	2,079
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Excluded realized gain (loss), after-tax									(627)	(37)	(218)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, after-tax									(33)	(18)	(3)
Benefit ratio unlocking, after-tax									277	(136)	129
Net impact from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act									17	19	1,322
Impairment of intangibles, after-tax											(905)
Acquisition and integration costs related to mergers and acquisitions, after tax									(103)	(67)
Annuities Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Impairment of intangibles, after-tax
Net income (loss)									954	1,102	1,074
Retirement Plan Services Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Impairment of intangibles, after-tax
Net income (loss)									172	171	149
Life Insurance Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Impairment of intangibles, after-tax
Net income (loss)									259	645	536
Group Protection Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Impairment of intangibles, after-tax
Net income (loss)									238	187	103
Other Operations [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Net income (loss)									$ (268)	$ (225)	$ (108)