Commitments, Contingencies, And Guarantees (Net Realized Gains (Losses) Of Derivative Instrument Activity In Consolidated Statement Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	$ 234		$ (21)
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(8)		(15)
All Other Futures Contracts And Options [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	26		(3)
Convertible Bonds [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	24		(1)
To Be Announced Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)			(1)
Investment And Embedded Derivative Instruments [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	42		(20)
Guaranteed Living Benefits [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	428	[1]	71	[1]
Future Contracts On Equities [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(213)	[2]	(63)	[2]
Options On Equity Market Indices [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(18)	[2]	(8)	[2]
Credit Default Swaps [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(5)		(1)
Guaranteed Living Benefit And Other Derivative Instruments [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	$ 192		$ (1)

[1] Excludes foreign exchange gains (losses) related to GLB.

[2] Related to GMDB and GLB blocks of business.