Intangible Assets (Roll-forward of Goodwill, by Business Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended													12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance - North American P&C	Dec. 31, 2012 Insurance - North American P&C	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance - North American Agriculture	Dec. 31, 2012 Insurance - North American Agriculture	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance - Overseas General	Dec. 31, 2012 Insurance - Overseas General	Dec. 31, 2013 Global Reinsurance	Dec. 31, 2012 Global Reinsurance	Dec. 31, 2013 Life	Dec. 31, 2012 Life	Feb. 02, 2011 New York Life's Korea and Hong Kong	Dec. 31, 2013 Fianzas Monterrey	Apr. 02, 2013 Fianzas Monterrey	Dec. 31, 2012 Fianzas Monterrey Insurance - North American P&C	Dec. 31, 2013 Fianzas Monterrey Insurance - Overseas General	Dec. 31, 2013 Fianzas Monterrey Global Reinsurance	Dec. 31, 2013 Fianzas Monterrey Life	Dec. 31, 2012 JaPro	Dec. 31, 2012 JaPro Insurance - North American P&C	Dec. 31, 2012 JaPro Insurance - North American Agriculture	Dec. 31, 2012 JaPro Insurance - Overseas General	Dec. 31, 2012 JaPro Global Reinsurance	Dec. 31, 2012 JaPro Life	Dec. 31, 2013 ABA Seguros	May 02, 2013 ABA Seguros	Dec. 31, 2012 ABA Seguros Insurance - North American P&C	Dec. 31, 2013 ABA Seguros Insurance - Overseas General	Dec. 31, 2013 ABA Seguros Global Reinsurance	Dec. 31, 2013 ABA Seguros Life
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 4,319	$ 4,148	$ 1,219	$ 1,216	$ 134	$ 134	$ 1,764	$ 1,603	$ 365	$ 365	$ 837	$ 830	$ 91		$ 135												$ 283
Purchase price allocation adjustment		4		0	0	0		0		0		4
Acquisition														135		0	135	0	0	123	0	0	123	0	0	283		0	283	0	0
Foreign exchange revaluation and other	(134)	44	(4)	3	0	0	(128)	38	0	0	(2)	3
Balance at end of period	$ 4,603	$ 4,319	$ 1,215	$ 1,219	$ 134	$ 134	$ 2,054	$ 1,764	$ 365	$ 365	$ 835	$ 837	$ 91		$ 135												$ 283