Supplementary Data on Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 281	$ (180)	$ (107)	$ 274	$ 254	$ 275	$ (31)	$ 162	$ 268	$ 660	$ 446
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation									4	12	9
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs									680	652	624
Goodwill impairment										22
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense									(105)	342	15
Realized losses (gains) and impairments on investments									6	(307)	(285)
Equity in (earnings) losses of limited partnerships									(149)	(128)	369
Net amortization of bond premium (discount)									26	9	(12)
Increase in deferred compensation									4	7	0
Limited partnership distributions									166	122	81
Decrease (Increase) in receivables, reinsurance recoverables and reserve credits									91	(158)	209
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses									(56)	10	(9)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs									(701)	(667)	(642)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses									83	18	(1)
Increase (decrease) in accrued commissions and agent bonuses									4	1	(15)
(Decrease) increase in loss reserves									(85)	(11)	12
Increase in future life policy benefits and claims reserves									28	21	37
Increase in unearned premiums									96	116	51
Net cash provided by operating activities									$ 360	$ 721	$ 889