Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (Loss)	$ (560)		$ 570		$ 3,666
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Realized investment (gains) losses, net	5,206		1,441		(2,831)
Policy charges and fee income	(1,649)		(1,412)		(1,147)
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances	3,111		4,234		4,484
Depreciation and amortization	411		302		290
Gains on trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities, net	250		(613)		(235)
Change in:
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(2,661)		(2,061)		(376)
Future policy benefits and other insurance liabilities	8,379		17,784		6,799
Other trading account assets	(33)		(33)		329
Income taxes	(1,343)		527		(83)
Other, net	(2,666)		170		1,481
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities	8,445		20,909		12,377
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale	60,719		38,678		42,548
Fixed maturities, held to maturity	587		528		455
Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities and other trading account assets	19,412		15,347		22,388
Equity securities, available for sale	4,227		4,202		3,742
Commercial mortgage and other loans	6,501		5,327		4,814
Policy loans	2,231		2,241		2,035
Other long-term investments	1,873		1,474		2,120
Short-term investments	60,002		28,123		27,098
Payments for the purchase/origination of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale	(67,774)		(52,212)		(52,045)
Fixed maturities, held to maturity	(208)		(18)		(76)
Trading account assets supporting insurance liabilities and other trading account assets	(22,552)		(16,115)		(23,684)
Equity securities, available for sale	(4,301)		(4,001)		(3,080)
Commercial mortgage and other loans	(10,316)		(7,066)		(6,829)
Policy loans	(1,831)		(2,012)		(1,815)
Other long-term investments	(2,850)		(1,736)		(1,865)
Short-term investments	(61,034)		(28,323)		(26,962)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired.	(488)		0		(2,321)
Other, net	(532)		143		182
Cash flows used in investing activities	(16,334)		(15,420)		(13,295)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Policyholders' account deposits	24,721		22,822		24,336
Policyholders' account withdrawals	(24,960)		(24,014)		(22,564)
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and cash collateral for loaned securities	3,200		584		1,126
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock	(847)		(768)		(704)
Net change in financing arrangements (maturities of 90 days or less)	96		(583)		104
Common Stock reissued for exercise of stock options	348		150		122
Proceeds from the issuance of debt (maturities longer than 90 days)	2,813		4,662		2,266
Repayments of debt (maturities longer than 90 days)	(3,939)		(3,391)		(1,739)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	32		51		20
Common Stock Acquired	(738)		(650)		(999)
Change In Bank Deposits	0		(1,730)		(22)
Other, net	1,516		1,562		153
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities	2,242		(1,305)		2,099
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash balances	(1,014)		(335)		155
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(6,661)		3,849		1,336
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	18,100	[1]	14,251		12,915
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	11,439	[1]	18,100	[1]	14,251
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS DURING THE PERIOD
Treasury Stock shares issued for stock-based compensation programs	105		211		77
FHLBNY debt reissued as funding agreements in PHAB	0		445		0
Assets Received And Related Liabilities Recorded Pension Risk Transfer	0		33,423		0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets excluding cash and cash equivalents - Hartford	11,056		0		0
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Liabilities - Hartford	10,568		0		0
Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired - Hartford	488		0		0
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income Taxes Paid, Net	1,279		501		809
Interest Paid	$ 1,387		$ 1,349		$ 1,285

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