Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 2,866		$ 1,937		$ 2,328
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	5,669		2,940		1,078
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(643)		(505)		(327)
Increase in policy liabilities	6,033		4,685		3,448
Change in income tax liabilities	712		266		137
Realized investment (gains) losses	349		1,552		422
Other, net	(34)		(33)		(97)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	14,952		10,842		6,989
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	7,385		14,385		2,724
Fixed maturities matured or called	1,959		170		1,243
Perpetual securities sold	1,599		690		700
Perpetual securities matured or called	376		0		0
Equity securities sold	0		0		328
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	1,859		728		196
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities acquired	(19,533)		(8,392)		(9,943)
Equity securities acquired	0		0		(330)
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities acquired	(16,550)		(18,995)		(2,010)
Cash received as collateral on loaned securities, net	5,439		647		(312)
Other, net	514		(62)		(28)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(16,952)		(10,829)		(7,432)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(118)		(308)		(121)
Proceeds from borrowings	1,506		620		748
Principal payments under debt obligations	(341)		(462)		(451)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(603)		(552)		(535)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	1,457		733		419
Treasury stock reissued	32		26		45
Other, net	12		7		56
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	1,945		64		161
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(153)		51		80
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(208)		128		(202)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,249		2,121		2,323
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,041		2,249		2,121
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	788		828		1,017
Interest paid	178		164		125
Noncash interest	83	[1]	32	[1]	24
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	977	[2]	1,901	[2]	459	[3]
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	4		6		3
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	35		32		0
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	24		23		0
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 4		$ 2		$ 2

[1] Consists primarily of accreted interest on discounted advance premiums

[2] Includes $597 and $1,286 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $353 and $615 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $27 for the year ended December 31, 2012 for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value

[3] Consisted completely of credit-related impairments