INVESTMENTS - Information Regarding Pretax Realized Gains and Losses From Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	$ (97)	[1]	$ (166)	[2]	$ (643)	[1]	$ (1,100)	[2]
Derivative gains (losses)	95		(224)		108		(279)
Total realized investment gains (losses)	286		(83)		(177)		(1,330)
Debt Securities | Available-for-sale Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains from sales	313		354		346		458
Gross losses from sales	(1)		(56)		(37)		(375)
Net gains (losses) from redemptions	0		9		2		15
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	(70)		(44)		(400)		(793)
Total realized investment gains (losses)	242		263		(86)		(695)
Debt Securities | Held-to-maturity Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) from redemptions	0		0		3		0
Perpetual Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains from sales	12		0		82		54
Gross losses from sales	(36)		0		(98)		(109)
Net gains (losses) from redemptions	0		0		60		0
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	(27)		(122)		(243)		(306)
Total realized investment gains (losses)	(51)		(122)		(199)		(361)
Equity Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	0		0		0		(1)
Total realized investment gains (losses)	0		0		0		(1)
Other assets
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Derivative gains (losses)	95		(224)		108		(291)
Other	0		0		0		18
Total realized investment gains (losses)	$ 95		$ (224)		$ 108		$ (273)

[1] Includes $70 and $365 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $0 and $251 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $27 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value

[2] Consisted completely of credit-related impairments