Investments (Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities Excluding Investments Classified as Trading) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 263,281	$ 265,116
Amortized Cost		6,755	6,921
Fair Value	[1]	290,778	299,090
Fair Value		9,109	9,861
Amortized Cost	[1]	2,380	2,575
Fair Value		2,669	2,902
Net unrealized gains on impaired available for sale securities relating to changes in value of securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date		727	954
Net unrealized gains on impaired held to maturity securities (less than)		1	1
Prudential Netting Agreement
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		3,850	3,588
Fair Value		4,131	3,953
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		263,281	265,116
Gross Unrealized Gains		30,914	35,329
Gross Unrealized Losses		3,417	1,355
Fair Value		290,778	299,090
OTTI in AOCI		(474)	(605)
Amortized Cost		2,380	2,575
Gross Unrealized Gains		290	328
Gross Unrealized Losses		1	1
Fair Value		2,669	2,902
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Prudential Netting Agreement
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		693	385
Fair Value		686	385
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government authorities and agencies
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		13,808	15,807
Gross Unrealized Gains		3,977	4,321
Gross Unrealized Losses		4	5
Fair Value		17,781	20,123
OTTI in AOCI		0	0
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Obligations of U.S. states and their political subdivisions
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		7,826	5,720
Gross Unrealized Gains		674	814
Gross Unrealized Losses		61	3
Fair Value		8,439	6,531
OTTI in AOCI		0	0
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Foreign government bonds
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		70,652	69,894
Gross Unrealized Gains		11,318	11,164
Gross Unrealized Losses		164	117
Fair Value		81,806	80,941
OTTI in AOCI		1	(1)
Amortized Cost		820	821
Gross Unrealized Gains		175	184
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	0
Fair Value		995	1,005
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Corporate securities
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		144,812	143,631
Gross Unrealized Gains		13,968	17,799
Gross Unrealized Losses		3,064	1,054
Fair Value		155,716	160,376
OTTI in AOCI		(5)	(6)
Amortized Cost		708	713
Gross Unrealized Gains		59	68
Gross Unrealized Losses		1	1
Fair Value		766	780
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Asset-backed securities
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		10,268	10,966
Gross Unrealized Gains		244	353
Gross Unrealized Losses		105	134
Fair Value		10,407	11,185
OTTI in AOCI		(465)	(592)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		10,985	13,486
Gross Unrealized Gains		358	430
Gross Unrealized Losses		16	39
Fair Value		11,327	13,877
OTTI in AOCI		(1)	(1)
Amortized Cost		46	78
Gross Unrealized Gains		1	7
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	0
Fair Value		47	85
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Residential mortgage-backed securities
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		4,930	5,612
Gross Unrealized Gains		375	448
Gross Unrealized Losses		3	3
Fair Value		5,302	6,057
OTTI in AOCI		(4)	(5)
Amortized Cost		806	963
Gross Unrealized Gains		55	69
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	0
Fair Value		861	1,032
Equity securities, available-for-sale
Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Reportable Data [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		6,755	6,921
Gross Unrealized Gains		2,530	3,023
Gross Unrealized Losses		176	83
Fair Value		$ 9,109	$ 9,861

[1] See Note 5 for details of balances associated with variable interest entities.