Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 3) (Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	$ (45)	$ (173)
GMWB and GMAB
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(52)	(174)
Gross notional amount of derivative contracts	146,100		142,100
GMWB and GMAB | Interest rate contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(132)	(225)
GMWB and GMAB | Equity contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(492)	(695)
GMWB and GMAB | Credit contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		(3)
GMWB and GMAB | Foreign currency contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	5	4
GMWB and GMAB | Embedded derivatives
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	567	745
EIA
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Gross notional amount of derivative contracts	12		10
EIA | Equity contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	1	1
EIA embedded derivatives | Equity contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(1)
IUL
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Gross notional amount of derivative contracts	255		200
IUL | Equity contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	4
IUL embedded derivatives | Equity contracts
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	3
Other derivatives
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	$ 7	$ 1