Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details Textual 1) (USD $) In Millions									3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Currency Options [Member] Macro Hedge Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Currency Options [Member] Macro Hedge Program [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Currency Options [Member] Macro Hedge Program [Member] Long Hedge Position [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Currency Options [Member] Macro Hedge Program [Member] Long Hedge Position [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Currency Options [Member] Macro Hedge Program [Member] Short Hedge Position [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Currency Options [Member] Macro Hedge Program [Member] Short Hedge Position [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 JAPAN [Member] 3Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 JAPAN [Member] 3Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 JAPAN [Member] 3Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 JAPAN [Member] 3Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 JAPAN [Member] Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 JAPAN [Member] Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 JAPAN [Member] Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 JAPAN [Member] Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 JAPAN [Member] Variable Annuity Hedging Instruments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 JAPAN [Member] Variable Annuity Hedging Instruments [Member] Long Hedge Position [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 JAPAN [Member] Variable Annuity Hedging Instruments [Member] Long Hedge Position [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 JAPAN [Member] Variable Annuity Hedging Instruments [Member] Short Hedge Position [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Macro Hedge Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Macro Hedge Program [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Contingent Capital Facility Put Option [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Contingent Capital Facility Put Option [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated notes																							$ 500
Associated liability adjusted for changes in spot rates through realized capital gain									(93)	(114)	(100)	(210)	(115)	(140)	(125)	(258)
Notional Amount	$ 134,480	$ 136,854	$ 7,153	$ 5,296	$ 6,000	$ 3,100	$ 1,200	$ 2,200									$ 1,800	$ 2,400	$ 1,700	$ 582	$ 29,776	$ 26,210	$ 500	$ 500