Reserve for Life-Contingent Contract Benefits and Contractholder Funds (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Contractholder funds activity
Balance, beginning of year	$ 21,295	$ 22,529	$ 24,304
Classified as held for sale, beginning balance	0	0	10,945
Total, including those classified as held for sale		21,295	22,529	$ 35,249
Deposits	1,164	1,203	1,333
Interest credited	722	760	919
Benefits	(966)	(1,077)	(1,197)
Surrenders and partial withdrawals	(1,053)	(1,278)	(2,273)
Maturities of and interest payments on institutional products	(86)	(1)	(2)
Contract charges	(829)	(818)	(881)
Net transfers from separate accounts	5	7	7
Other adjustments	8	(30)	36
Sold in LBL disposition	0	0	(10,662)
Balance, end of year	$ 20,260	$ 21,295	$ 22,529