Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Balances of and changes in DAC
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 2,373	$ 2,413
Capitalization of acquisition costs	62	67
Amortization	(59)	(17)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	33	(19)
Balance at the end of the period	2,409	2,444
Balances of and changes in DSIC
Balance at the beginning of the period	404	464
Capitalization of sales inducement costs	2	2
Amortization	(12)	(2)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	3	(4)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 397	$ 460