GMDB, GMIB, GWBL AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES (DETAILS1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
GWBL and other guaranteed benefits related liability	$ 334	$ 291
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	13,411
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	73,350	70,194
Net amount at risk, gross	19,272
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	9,553
Average attained age of contractholders	53.5
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	14.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	3.0
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	6.5
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Return Of Premium [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	12,599
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	28,970
Net amount at risk, gross	1,129
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	1,129
Average attained age of contractholders	49.3
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	8.10%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Ratchet [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	225
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	7,157
Net amount at risk, gross	1,089
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	672
Average attained age of contractholders	63.5
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	28.30%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Roll Up [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	108
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	3,718
Net amount at risk, gross	2,837
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	1,925
Average attained age of contractholders	69.1
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	48.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Roll Up [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	3.0
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Roll Up [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	6.0
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Combo [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	479
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	33,505
Net amount at risk, gross	14,217
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	5,827
Average attained age of contractholders	64.3
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	29.80%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Combo [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	3.0
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Combo [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	6.5
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	650
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	47,680	45,887
Net amount at risk, gross	12,140
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	3,352
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	4.6
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	3.0
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	6.5
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Roll Up [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	24
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	2,486
Net amount at risk, gross	2,051
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	607
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	0.4
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Roll Up [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	3.0
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Roll Up [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	6.5
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Combo [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	626
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	45,194
Net amount at risk, gross	10,089
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,745
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	4.9
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Combo [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	3.0
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | Combo [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Amount At Risk By Product And Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates	6.5