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Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]        
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges gain (loss), amount expected to be reclassified to future net income (loss), net of tax $ 2,070us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax [1] $ 1,319us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax [1] $ 1,909us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax [1] $ 2,009us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax [1]
Year by which all forecasted transactions associated with qualifying cash flow hedges are expected to occur 2047      
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges gain (loss), amount expected to be reclassified to net income (loss) in the next 12 months, net of tax 57us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths      
Derivative assets | Subject to enforceable master netting arrangement        
Derivative [Line Items]        
Amount to claim from counterparties if the downgrade provisions had been triggered 47gnw_DerivativesAssetsNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= gnw_SubjectToMasterNettingArrangementMember
[2] 27gnw_DerivativesAssetsNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= gnw_SubjectToMasterNettingArrangementMember
[2]    
Derivative liabilities | Subject to enforceable master netting arrangement        
Derivative [Line Items]        
Amount required for disbursement to counterparties if the downgrade provisions had been triggered $ 2gnw_DerivativesLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= gnw_SubjectToMasterNettingArrangementMember
[3] $ 5gnw_DerivativesLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= gnw_SubjectToMasterNettingArrangementMember
[3]    
[1] See note 5 for additional information.
[2] Included $25 million of accruals on derivatives classified as other assets and does not include amounts related to embedded derivatives as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
[3] Included $6 million and $7 million of accruals on derivatives classified as other liabilities and does not include amounts related to embedded derivatives and derivatives related to securitization entities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.