Name:	gnw_PercentageOfRecordedInvestmentCommercialMortgageLoans
Namespace Prefix:	gnw_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 12
-Subsection 29
-Publisher SEC

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 310
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479851/948-310-S99-1

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	srt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(1)(c))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479440/944-210-S99-1

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amortized cost, before allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement and net investment in lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 80
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479294/326-20-55-80

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-Topic 326
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
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-Section 45
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-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479344/326-20-45-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3)(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (1)
-Publisher SEC

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
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-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
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-Paragraph (a)
-Publisher SEC

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-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Topic 310
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-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481962/310-10-50-7A

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-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-5