Consolidated Supplementary Insurance Information (Income Statement Items) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Premiums and Universal Life and Investment-Type Product Policy Fees	$ 23,850	$ 22,838	$ 22,119
Net Investment Income	11,893	11,785	11,852
Policyholder Benefits and Claims and Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances	26,029	25,285	24,659
Amortization of DAC and VOBA Charged to Other Expenses	695	261	991
Other Operating Expenses	6,616	6,932	6,698
Retail
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Premiums and Universal Life and Investment-Type Product Policy Fees	5,640	5,456	5,379
Net Investment Income	5,101	5,067	5,113
Policyholder Benefits and Claims and Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances	6,170	6,059	6,121
Amortization of DAC and VOBA Charged to Other Expenses	652	217	948
Other Operating Expenses	2,666	2,971	3,067
Group, Voluntary & Worksite Benefits
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Premiums and Universal Life and Investment-Type Product Policy Fees	15,097	14,420	13,937
Net Investment Income	1,616	1,618	1,540
Policyholder Benefits and Claims and Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances	13,977	13,346	12,747
Amortization of DAC and VOBA Charged to Other Expenses	26	25	29
Other Operating Expenses	2,121	1,970	1,878
Corporate Benefit Funding
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Premiums and Universal Life and Investment-Type Product Policy Fees	2,985	2,886	2,802
Net Investment Income	4,895	4,680	4,636
Policyholder Benefits and Claims and Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances	5,805	5,813	5,792
Amortization of DAC and VOBA Charged to Other Expenses	17	19	12
Other Operating Expenses	472	474	421
Corporate & Other
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Premiums and Universal Life and Investment-Type Product Policy Fees	128	76	1
Net Investment Income	281	420	563
Policyholder Benefits and Claims and Interest Credited to Policyholder Account Balances	77	67	(1)
Amortization of DAC and VOBA Charged to Other Expenses	0	0	2
Other Operating Expenses	$ 1,357	$ 1,517	$ 1,332