Investments (Components of Net Investment Gains Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals	$ (34)	$ 21	$ (137)	$ (15)
Equity securities — Mark to market and net gains (losses) on sales and disposals	(2)	3	(5)	4
Other net investment gains (losses) [Abstract]
Mortgage loans	(5)	(2)	(12)	(7)
Real estate joint ventures	0	1	42	4
Other limited partnership interests	0	0	0	(10)
Other	2	(1)	3	(6)
Subtotal	(39)	22	(109)	(31)
FVO CSEs - changes in estimated fair value [Abstract]
Commercial mortgage loans	(4)	(1)	(12)	(2)
Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans	1	0	1	0
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses)	0	0	0	(1)
Subtotal	(3)	(1)	(11)	(3)
Total net investment gains (losses)	(42)	21	(120)	(34)
State and political subdivision
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	0	0	0	(1)
Fixed maturity securities
Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	0	0	0	(1)
Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss) [Abstract]
Net investment gains (losses)	(34)	21	(137)	(16)
Equity securities
Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss) [Abstract]
Net investment gains (losses)	$ (2)	$ 3	$ (5)	$ 4

Consolidated securitization entities.

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The net gain or loss incurred on assets and liabilities held by consolidated securitizations entities and all other gains and losses.

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The net gain or loss resulting from the change in fair value of commercial mortgage loans held by consolidated securitization entities not required to be reported separately in the statement of income for which the Company has elected the fair value option.

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The net gain or loss resulting from the sale or disposal of long-term debt relating to mortgage loans of consolidated securitization entities not required to be reported separately in the statement of income for which the Company has elected the fair option.

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The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of other limited partnership interests.

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This item represents the subtotal of gains (losses)on the investment portfolio.

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Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment.

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The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of debt securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale.

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The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

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The net realized gain (loss) on investments sold during the period, not including gains (losses) on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.

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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of other assets.

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The net gain (loss) resulting from a sale of loans, including adjustments to record loans classified as held-for-sale at the lower-of-cost-or-market and fair value adjustments to loan held for investment purposes.

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The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of real estate owned for investment purposes.

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The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

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The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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