Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 18) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Interest rate swaps, swap options , caps, floors and forwards [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	$ (25)	$ 50	$ (24)	$ 45
Foreign currency swaps, forwards and swaptions [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	19	(21)	7	8
JAPAN [Member] | 3Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	39	84	14	93
JAPAN [Member] | Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	103	160	98	301
JAPAN [Member] | Variable Annuity Hedging Instruments [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	56	15	0	60
Credit Derivatives that Purchase Credit Protection [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	31	(34)	11	4
Credit Derivatives that Assume Credit Risk [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(183)	113	(178)	100
Equity index swaps, options, and futures [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(56)	2	(54)	7
GMWB product derivatives [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(1,364)	655	(1,085)	(489)
GMWB Reinsurance [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	241	(101)	180	84
GMWB hedging instruments [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	751	(384)	567	278
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	1,237	(443)	915	(210)
GMAB product derivatives [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(5)	3	(6)	1
Contingent Capital Facility Put Option [Member] | Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(1)	(1)	(4)	(3)
Net Realized Capital Gains (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	$ 843	$ 98	$ 441	$ 279