Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums and fees and other revenues																	$ 26,308	$ 19,210	$ 18,528
Net investment income																	1,144	1,146	1,105
Total revenues	7,620		7,323		7,422		6,754		5,425		5,574		5,479		5,387		29,119	21,865	21,128
Depreciation and amortization																	560	345	292
Income taxes																	853	615	519
Segment earnings	406	[1]	466	[2]	380	[3]	371	[4]	273	[5]	183	[6]	391	[7]	413	[8]	1,623	1,260	1,279
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment earnings																	1,592	1,219	1,229
Run Off Reinsurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums and fees and other revenues																	(98)	20	(133)
Net investment income																	102	103	114
Total revenues																	4	123	(19)
Depreciation and amortization																	0	0	0
Income taxes																	0	(99)	(136)
Segment earnings																	0	(183)	26
Other Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums and fees and other revenues																	155	169	174
Net investment income																	388	400	404
Total revenues																	543	569	578
Depreciation and amortization																	22	25	21
Income taxes																	43	29	39
Segment earnings																	$ 82	$ 89	$ 85

[1] The fourth quarter of 2012 includes an after-tax gain of $7 million for the GMIB business and an after-tax charge of $68 million for litigation matters

[2] The third quarter of 2012 includes an after-tax gain of $32 million for the GMIB business, an after-tax charge of $12 million for costs associated with acquisitions, and an after-tax charge of $50 million for costs associated with a realignment and efficiency plan.

[3] The second quarter of 2012 includes an after-tax loss of $51 million for the GMIB business.

[4] The first quarter of 2012 includes an after-tax gain of $41 million for the GMIB business, an after-tax charge of $28 million for costs associated with acquisitions, and an after-tax charge of $13 million for costs associated a litigation matter in Global Health Care.

[5] The fourth quarter of 2011 includes an after-tax gain of $7 million for the GMIB business and, an after-tax charge of $31 million for costs associated with acquisitions.

[6] The third quarter of 2011 includes an after-tax loss of $134 million for the GMIB business.

[7] The second quarter of 2011 includes an after-tax loss of $21 million for the GMIB business.

[8] The first quarter of 2011 includes an after-tax gain of $13 million for the GMIB business and a net tax benefit of $24 million related to the resolution of a Federal tax matter.