Investments - OTTI losses by asset type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Fixed income securities	$ (13)	$ 12	$ (24)	$ 14
Total credit losses by asset type	(13)	12	(24)	14
Commitments to fund commercial mortgage loans and bank loans	0	0	0	0
Fixed income securities
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Fixed income securities	(4)	(1)	(4)	1
Corporate
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Fixed income securities	(4)	(1)	(4)	0
ABS
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Fixed income securities	0	0	0	1
Mortgage loans
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Total credit losses by asset type	0	11	(1)	17
Limited partnership interests
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Total credit losses by asset type	3	0	3	0
Bank loans, net
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Total credit losses by asset type	(6)	3	(16)	(3)
Agent loans
Realized capital gains and losses by asset type
Total credit losses by asset type	$ 0	$ (1)	$ 0	$ (1)