Related Party Transactions (Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Statements of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Premiums:
Net premiums	$ 236	$ 347	$ 630	$ 1,021
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees	1,025	976	2,935	2,843
Other revenues:
Other revenues	93	49	329	481
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Net policyholder benefits and claims	1,083	1,058	2,732	2,948
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances	279	290	838	871
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization	123	(10)	(4)	(45)
Other expenses:
Net other expenses	611	519	1,789	1,564
Affiliated Entity | Assumed
Premiums:
Reinsurance assumed	1	(20)	9	32
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Reinsurance assumed	31	34	77	88
Other revenues:
Reinsurance assumed	0	0	27	0
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Reinsurance assumed	9	9	21	63
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Reinsurance assumed	18	18	54	57
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Assumed Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Present Value Of Future Profits Amortization	0	3	24	8
Other expenses:
Reinsurance assumed	13	0	34	16
Affiliated Entity | Ceded
Premiums:
Reinsurance ceded	(106)	(187)	(423)	(560)
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Reinsurance ceded	1	(14)	(16)	(45)
Other revenues:
Reinsurance ceded	0	(15)	39	289
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Reinsurance ceded	(89)	(205)	(318)	(554)
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Reinsurance ceded	(4)	(4)	(12)	(12)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Ceded Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Present Value Of Future Profits Amortization	5	(12)	18	(133)
Other expenses:
Reinsurance ceded	(1)	4	14	(24)
Affiliated Entity | Reinsurance
Premiums:
Net premiums	(105)	(207)	(414)	(528)
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees	32	20	61	43
Other revenues:
Other revenues	0	(15)	66	289
Policyholder benefits and claims:
Net policyholder benefits and claims	(80)	(196)	(297)	(491)
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances	14	14	42	45
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense, [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization	5	(9)	42	(125)
Other expenses:
Net other expenses	12	4	48	(8)
All Services and Transactions Except Broker Dealer Activities [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosure [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	(96)	(204)	(496)	(152)
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	108	53	288	253
Broker Dealer Activities [Member]
Reinsurance Disclosure [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	0	54	117	161
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 0	$ 160	$ 323	$ 480