Reinsurance (Related Party Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2016
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability		$ 3,690,000,000	$ 1,324,000,000
Other Liabilities		10,147,000,000	7,682,000,000
Net derivatives gains (losses)		(1,848,000,000)	(270,000,000)	$ (1,049,000,000)
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables		20,101,000,000	22,251,000,000
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired		5,274,000,000	4,809,000,000	4,890,000,000
Other Assets		630,000,000	799,000,000
Future policy benefits		31,684,000,000	29,894,000,000
Other Policy-Related Balances		3,384,000,000	3,549,000,000
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset		192,000,000	214,000,000
Reinsurance recoverables		9,100,000,000	8,500,000,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax		(4,708,000,000)	1,054,000,000	290,000,000
Deposit Contracts, Assets		2,000,000,000	6,000,000,000
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities		1,000,000	1,000,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Reinsurance recoverables		2,400,000,000	6,300,000,000
Deposit Contracts, Assets		1,800,000,000	5,800,000,000
Deposit Contracts, Liabilities		0	0
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Co-funds withheld MrV [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability		285,000,000	244,000,000
Net derivatives gains (losses)		$ (41,000,000)	137,000,000	(348,000,000)
Coinsurance Funds Withheld Basis, Percent		90.00%
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Assumed guaranteed minimum benefits
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability		$ 952,000,000	897,000,000
Net derivatives gains (losses)		$ (45,000,000)	(59,000,000)	(541,000,000)
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Funds Withheld On Ceded MrD2 [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Coinsurance Funds Withheld Basis, Percent		90.00%
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 83,000,000	126,000,000
Funds Held under Reinsurance Agreements, Liability		34,000,000	79,000,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax		$ (27,000,000)	0
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Funds Withheld On Ceded MrD [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Coinsurance Funds Withheld Basis, Percent		90.00%
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 136,000,000	81,000,000
Funds Held under Reinsurance Agreements, Liability		83,000,000	23,000,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax		3,000,000	(17,000,000)
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Separate AC Annuities MLIC [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Net derivatives gains (losses)				4,000,000
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset		3,000,000	4,000,000
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Recapture MLUS [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Liabilities					$ 4,000,000,000
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments					4,300,000,000
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired					$ 87,000,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax	$ 246,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Funds Withheld On Ceded MrD [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax				$ (1,000,000)
Maximum [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Separate AC Annuities MLIC [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Net derivatives gains (losses)		$ (1,000,000)	$ 1,000,000