Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Reconcilliation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reserves, beginning of year: [Abstract]
Gross		$ 23,271	$ 24,089	$ 24,763
Ceded		4,344	4,972	5,126
Net reserves, beginning of year		18,927	19,117	19,637
Change in net reserves due to acquisition (disposition) of subsidiaries		0	(13)	0
Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses:
Provision for insured events of current year		4,934	5,043	5,114
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years		(255)	(36)	(115)
Amortization of discount		166	161	154
Total net incurred (a)	[1]	4,845	5,168	5,153
Net payments attributable to:
Current year events		(856)	(945)	(981)
Prior year events		(4,089)	(4,355)	(4,588)
Total net payments		(4,945)	(5,300)	(5,569)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other		(251)	(45)	(104)
Net reserves, end of year		18,576	18,927	19,117
Ceded reserves, end of year		4,087	4,344	4,972
Gross reserves, end of year		$ 22,663	$ 23,271	$ 24,089

[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.