INVESTMENTS (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest and dividends on all investments
Taxable interest	$ 1,881	$ 2,675		$ 4,057	$ 5,543
Interest exempt from U.S. federal income tax	127	135		293	239
Dividends	117	114		186	182
Total interest and dividends	2,126	2,924		4,537	5,964
Gross realized investments losses, excluding losses from other-than-temporary impairment
Gross realized investment gains	624	554		1,304	1,147
Gross realized investment losses	(41)	(31)		(141)	(86)
Net realized gains	583	523		1,163	1,061
Number of debt securities						4
Carrying value of held-to-maturity investments sold	82			82		413
Loss realized on sale of held to maturity securities	(15)		49
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities
Total amortized cost	272,661			272,661			269,566
Total fair value	272,836			272,836			268,612
Mortgage-backed securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities
After 1 but within 5 years, amortized cost	313			313			403
After 5 but within 10 years, amortized cost	1,341			1,341			402
After 10 years, amortized cost	36,410			36,410			25,685
Total amortized cost	38,064			38,064			26,490
Fair value, after 1 but within 5 years	321			321			375
Fair value, after 5 but within 10 years	1,355			1,355			419
Fair value, after 10 years	36,890			36,890			25,712
Total fair value	38,566			38,566			26,506
U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities
Due within 1 year, amortized cost	5,569			5,569			36,411
After 1 but within 5 years, amortized cost	73,818			73,818			52,558
After 5 but within 10 years, amortized cost	8,863			8,863			10,604
After 10 years, amortized cost	883			883			1,790
Total amortized cost	89,133			89,133			101,363
Fair value, due within 1 year	5,575			5,575			36,443
Fair value, after 1 but within 5 years	74,849			74,849			53,118
Fair value, after 5 but within 10 years	9,009			9,009			10,647
Fair value, after 10 years	917			917			1,854
Total fair value	90,350			90,350			102,062
State and municipal securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities
Due within 1 year, amortized cost	88			88			9
After 1 but within 5 years, amortized cost	178			178			145
After 5 but within 10 years, amortized cost	210			210			230
After 10 years, amortized cost	15,051			15,051			15,276
Total amortized cost	15,527			15,527			15,660
Fair value, due within 1 year	88			88			9
Fair value, after 1 but within 5 years	179			179			149
Fair value, after 5 but within 10 years	211			211			235
Fair value, after 10 years	12,853			12,853			12,842
Total fair value	13,331			13,331			13,235
Foreign government
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities
Due within 1 year, amortized cost	41,061			41,061			41,856
After 1 but within 5 years, amortized cost	53,142			53,142			49,983
After 5 but within 10 years, amortized cost	6,879			6,879			6,143
After 10 years, amortized cost	641			641			1,128
Total amortized cost	101,723			101,723			99,110
Fair value, due within 1 year	40,951			40,951			41,387
Fair value, after 1 but within 5 years	53,404			53,404			50,739
Fair value, after 5 but within 10 years	6,936			6,936			6,264
Fair value, after 10 years	792			792			1,289
Total fair value	102,083			102,083			99,679
All other.
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities
Due within 1 year, amortized cost	9,745			9,745			2,162
After 1 but within 5 years, amortized cost	9,650			9,650			17,838
After 5 but within 10 years, amortized cost	4,103			4,103			2,610
After 10 years, amortized cost	4,716			4,716			4,333
Total amortized cost	28,214			28,214			26,943
Fair value, due within 1 year	9,720			9,720			2,164
Fair value, after 1 but within 5 years	9,808			9,808			17,947
Fair value, after 5 but within 10 years	4,245			4,245			2,714
Fair value, after 10 years	4,733			4,733			4,305
Total fair value	$ 28,506			$ 28,506			$ 27,130