SCHEDULE V - VALUATION ALLOWANCES AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Allowance for reinsurance recoverables	Dec. 31, 2011 Allowance for reinsurance recoverables	Dec. 31, 2009 Allowance for reinsurance recoverables	Dec. 31, 2012 Allowance for premium installment receivable	Dec. 31, 2011 Allowance for premium installment receivable	Dec. 31, 2010 Allowance for premium installment receivable	Dec. 31, 2012 Allowance for deferred tax assets	Dec. 31, 2011 Allowance for deferred tax assets	Dec. 31, 2010 Allowance for deferred tax assets	Dec. 31, 2012 Allowance for estimated losses on mortgage loans	Dec. 31, 2011 Allowance for estimated losses on mortgage loans	Dec. 31, 2010 Allowance for estimated losses on mortgage loans
Valuation allowances and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$ 103,000,000	$ 142,000,000	$ 142,000,000	$ 70,000,000	$ 75,000,000	$ 77,000,000	$ 67,000,000	$ 6,000,000	$ 11,000,000	$ 63,000,000	$ 84,000,000	$ 95,000,000
Additions charged to costs and expenses				85,000,000	82,000,000	86,000,000				(5,000,000)	37,000,000	65,000,000
Other additions								67,000,000
Deductions	16,000,000	39,000,000		85,000,000	87,000,000	88,000,000	67,000,000	6,000,000	5,000,000	16,000,000	58,000,000	76,000,000
Balance at end of period	$ 87,000,000	$ 103,000,000	$ 142,000,000	$ 70,000,000	$ 70,000,000	$ 75,000,000		$ 67,000,000	$ 6,000,000	$ 42,000,000	$ 63,000,000	$ 84,000,000