Consolidated Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Life Insurance in Force, Gross Amounts	$ 561,218	$ 589,488	$ 610,206
Life Insurance in Force, Ceded Amounts	180,362	194,032	450,000
Life Insurance in Force, Assumed Amounts	9,248	9,006	7,006
Life Insurance in Force, Net Amounts	$ 390,104	$ 404,462	$ 167,212
Life Insurance in Force, Percentage Assumed to Net	2.40%	2.20%	4.20%
Direct Premiums Earned	$ 1,640	$ 1,731	$ 2,226
Ceded Premiums Earned	783	916	1,127
Assumed Premiums Earned	12	13	81
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 869	$ 828	$ 1,180
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	1.40%	1.60%	6.90%
Affiliated Entity
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Life Insurance in Force, Ceded Amounts	$ 0	$ 17,100	$ 266,300
Life Insurance in Force, Assumed Amounts	1,800	9,000	7,000
Life insurance (1)
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Direct Premiums Earned	1,415	1,500	1,850
Ceded Premiums Earned	559	689	909
Assumed Premiums Earned	12	13	67
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 868	$ 824	$ 1,008
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	1.40%	1.60%	6.60%
Life insurance (1) | Affiliated Entity
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded Premiums Earned	$ 201	$ 537	$ 766
Assumed Premiums Earned	7	13	35
Accident & health insurance
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Direct Premiums Earned	225	231	376
Ceded Premiums Earned	224	227	218
Assumed Premiums Earned	0	0	14
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 1	$ 4	$ 172
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.00%	0.00%	8.10%