Name:	rsl_GrossInvestmentIncome
Namespace Prefix:	rsl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of gross investment earnings, before investment expenses and excluding realized gains (losses), recognized in the period on holdings of commercial mortgage loans.

No definition available.

Name:	rsl_GrossInvestmentIncomeInsuranceEntityCommercialMortgageLoans
Namespace Prefix:	rsl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of gross investment earnings, before investment expenses and excluding realized gains (losses), recognized in the period on holdings of debt securities having stated maturity dates.

No definition available.

Name:	rsl_GrossInvestmentIncomeInsuranceEntityFixedMaturities
Namespace Prefix:	rsl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of gross investment earnings, before investment expenses and excluding realized gains (losses), recognized in the period on holdings of other investments.

No definition available.

Name:	rsl_GrossInvestmentIncomeInsuranceEntityOtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	rsl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Total expenses related to the generation of investment income in debt and equity securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The income earned from investments in securities and property, equipment and other capital assets. It includes rent from property and equipment, dividends from shares in corporations, and interest from bonds, loans, mortgages, derivatives, commercial paper, bank accounts, certificates of deposits, treasuries, and other financial securities. It does not include realized gains and losses on investments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 16

-Article 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 2

-Article 7