Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Balances of and changes in DAC
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 2,373	$ 2,413
Capitalization of acquisition costs	134	126
Amortization	(134)	(100)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	107	(35)
Balance at the end of the period	2,480	2,404
Balances of and changes in DSIC
Balance at the beginning of the period	404	464
Capitalization of sales inducement costs	3	4
Amortization	(30)	(22)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	15	(6)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 392	$ 440