Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Componenets of income taxes

(In millions)	2016		2015		2014
Current taxes
U.S. income taxes	$	935	$	1,076	$	1,068
Foreign income taxes		95		93		115
State income taxes		32		60		49
Total current taxes		1,062		1,229		1,232
Deferred taxes (benefits)
U.S. income taxes		69		22		10
Foreign income taxes (benefits)		9		(6)		(22)
State income taxes (benefits)		(4)		5		(10)
Total deferred taxes		74		21		(22)
Total income taxes	$	1,136	$	1,250	$	1,210

Reconciliation of total income taxes to the amount computed using the nominal federal income tax rate

(In millions)	2016		2015		2014
Tax expense at nominal rate	$	1,043	$	1,164	$	1,156
Effect of undistributed foreign earnings		(57)		(67)		(74)
Health insurance industry tax		108		109		83
State income tax (net of federal income tax benefit)		18		42		25
Other		24		2		20
Total income taxes	$	1,136	$	1,250	$	1,210

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities

(In millions)	2016		2015
Deferred tax assets
Employee and retiree benefit plans	$	481	$	535
Other insurance and contractholder liabilities		460		465
Net operating losses		128		101
Other accrued liabilities		166		177
Other		140		99
Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance		1,375		1,377
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(87)		(71)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		1,288		1,306
Deferred tax liabilities
Depreciation and amortization		781		765
Unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translation		149		152
Other		54		10
Total deferred tax liabilities		984		927
Net deferred income tax assets	$	304	$	379

Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits

(In millions)	2016		2015		2014
Balance at January 1,	$	31	$	26	$	17
Increase due to current year positions		10		7		12
Reduction related to settlements with taxing authorities		(2)		-		-
Reduction related to lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(8)		(2)		(3)
Balance at December 31,	$	31	$	31	$	26