Summary of significant accounting policies - cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash	$ 2,012	$ 1,659	$ 1,747
Restricted cash	115	152	89
Cash and restricted cash	2,127	1,811	$ 1,836	$ 1,646
Borrowings under Guaranteed Investment Agreements	$ 2,500	$ 2,200

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of the obligations to contract holders to provide to them an agreed upon rate of return pursuant to the terms of the underlying contract. These contracts represent lending by the contract holders to the entity in return for a guaranteed (primarily fixed) interest rate until maturity, unless called earlier if the contracts provide that option to the contract holders (usually institutions). There is little or no insurance risk for the entity.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Amount of cash and cash equivalents, and cash and cash equivalents restricted to withdrawal or usage. Excludes amount for disposal group and discontinued operations. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

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Amount of cash restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits.

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