Schedule II Schedule II (STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - Parent Company Only) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net realized (gains) losses	$ 272	$ (60)	$ (394)	$ 260	$ 83	$ (760)	$ (73)	$ (45)	$ 78	$ (795)	$ 432
Total revenues	4,687	5,138	3,926	4,185	4,479	4,294	4,253	3,808	17,936	16,834	16,006
Administrative and other (income) expense									(2,096)	(2,068)	(1,873)
Income tax expense (benefit)									270	502	553
Total expenses									(14,960)	(14,792)	(12,368)
Net income (loss)	765	640	328	973	735	(39)	594	250	2,706	1,540	3,085
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									3,682	1,857	3,856
Parent Company Only
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investment income, including intercompany interest income									34	39	38
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates									2,590	1,459	3,043
Net realized (gains) losses									17	(4)	(42)
Total revenues									2,641	1,494	3,039
Administrative and other (income) expense									(75)	(56)	(53)
Income tax expense (benefit)									10	10	7
Total expenses									(65)	(46)	(46)
Net income (loss)									2,706	1,540	3,085
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									$ 3,682	$ 1,857	$ 3,856