Related Party Transactions (Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Statements of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Premiums:
Net premiums	$ 228	$ 337	$ 607	$ 990
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees	811	801	2,381	2,324
Other revenues:
Other revenues	64	54	263	491
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Net policyholder benefits and claims	1,051	1,039	2,721	2,868
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances	269	281	811	845
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization	50	220	697	(129)
Other expenses:
Net other expenses	446	423	1,342	1,268
Affiliated Entity | Assumed
Premiums:
Reinsurance assumed	1	(20)	10	34
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Reinsurance assumed	32	36	82	93
Other revenues:
Reinsurance assumed	0	1	28	2
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Reinsurance assumed	32	10	67	68
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Reinsurance assumed	18	18	54	56
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Assumed Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Present Value Of Future Profits Amortization	1	3	23	8
Other expenses:
Reinsurance assumed	8	0	19	16
Affiliated Entity | Ceded
Premiums:
Reinsurance ceded	(106)	(187)	(423)	(560)
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Reinsurance ceded	1	(14)	(17)	(45)
Other revenues:
Reinsurance ceded	0	(7)	39	309
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Reinsurance ceded	(89)	(201)	(317)	(538)
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Reinsurance ceded	(3)	(3)	(9)	(8)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Ceded Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Present Value Of Future Profits Amortization	5	(12)	19	(132)
Other expenses:
Reinsurance ceded	(1)	6	6	(17)
Affiliated Entity | Reinsurance
Premiums:
Net premiums	(105)	(207)	(413)	(526)
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees	33	22	65	48
Other revenues:
Other revenues	0	(6)	67	311
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Net policyholder benefits and claims	(57)	(191)	(250)	(470)
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances	15	15	45	48
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization	6	(9)	42	(124)
Other expenses:
Net other expenses	7	6	25	(1)
Broker Dealer Activities [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosure [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	56	52	167	151
Other expenses:
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	157	157	477	471
All Services and Transactions Except Broker Dealer Activities [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosure [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	(11)	(115)	(121)	(161)
Other expenses:
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 259	$ 64	$ 668	$ 282