Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in fair value of trading securities still held included in net investment income		$ (1)		$ (1)
Payments of debt extinguishment costs				9
Net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in the fair value of securities for which the fair value option has been elected				1
Reduction of net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI due to shadow adjustment	1,277		1,277		723
Pretax net unrealized gains on available for sale securities reclassified out of AOCI into earnings	12	(29)	59	12
Investment commitment [Member]
Future capital call commitments	114		114
Commitments to purchase various privately placed debt securities	159		159
Commitments to sell various privately placed debt securities	154		154
Obligations on unfunded bank loan participations	$ 6		$ 6

The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of trading securities held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term (thus held for only a short period of time) and the change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) is included in earnings for the period.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Trading Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 13

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph a

-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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph e

-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 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6956420&loc=d3e24584-111560

+ Details