Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Reconcilliation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Reserves, beginning of year:
Gross	$ 24,089		$ 24,763		$ 24,303
Ceded	4,972		5,126		5,020
Net reserves, beginning of year	19,117		19,637		19,283
Change in net reserves due to acquisition (disposition) of subsidiaries	(13)				291
Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses:
Provision for insured events of current year	5,043		5,114		5,273
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years	(36)		(115)		(182)
Amortization of discount	161		154		145
Total net incurred (a)	5,168	[1]	5,153	[1]	5,236	[1]
Net payments attributable to:
Current year events	(945)		(981)		(988)
Prior year events	(4,355)		(4,588)		(4,280)
Total net payments	(5,300)		(5,569)		(5,268)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other	(45)		(104)		95
Net reserves, end of year	18,927		19,117		19,637
Ceded reserves, end of year	4,344		4,972		5,126
Gross reserves, end of year	$ 23,271		$ 24,089		$ 24,763

[1] Total net incurred above does not agree to Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits as reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to amounts related to retroactive reinsurance deferred gain accounting, uncollectible reinsurance and loss deductible receivables, and benefit expenses related to future policy benefits and policyholders' funds, which are not reflected in the table above.