Life Insurance Contract Holders' Benefits Incurred on Ceded Business (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Net incurred loss and loss expenses	$ 582	$ 575
Life Insurance Segment
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Direct contract holders' benefits incurred	53	53
Assumed contract holders' benefits incurred
Ceded contract holders' benefits incurred	(10)	(8)
Net incurred loss and loss expenses	$ 43	$ 45

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Total provision in the period for future policy benefits, claims incurred and costs incurred in the claims settlement process before the effects of reinsurance arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 5

-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

+ Details

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- Definition

Provision for benefits, claims and claims settlement expenses incurred during the period net of the effects of contracts assumed and ceded.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of the provision for the period for claims and benefits incurred on contract risks assumed from other (ceding) insurers under reinsurance arrangements.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The reduction in the amount of the provision for the period for claims and benefits incurred on contract risks ceded to other insurers under reinsurance arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 113

-Paragraph 27, 113

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6811-158387

+ Details

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