Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes
Tax expense (benefit) at U.S. Federal statutory rate	$ (36)	$ 321	$ 48	$ 559
Tax-exempt interest	(37)	(38)	(112)	(116)
Dividends received deduction	(42)	(34)	(169)	(115)
Valuation allowance	6		(83)	86
Other	8	3	4	23
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (101)	$ 252	$ (312)	$ 437

The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Subparagraph (a),(b)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a, b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

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The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in the period.

+ References

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The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to the deduction for dividends paid or received under enacted tax laws.

+ References

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The amount of income tax expense or benefit for the period computed by applying the domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

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The portion of the difference, between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the year/accounting period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to all other items not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy.

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The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to income that is exempt from income taxes under enacted tax laws.

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