Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 892		$ 785
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	203		(17)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(100)		(141)
Increase in policy liabilities	2,400		2,928
Change in income tax liabilities	193		(20)
Realized investment (gains) losses	(156)		45
Other, net	400		(24)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	3,832		3,556
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	541		226
Fixed maturities matured or called	1,342		705
Perpetual securities sold	0		552
Perpetual securities matured or called	271		378
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	5,011		536
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(3,160)		(1,025)
Held to matrurity fixed maturities acquired	(160)		(5,133)
Settlement of derivatives	(851)		0
Cash received as collateral on loaned securities, net	(6,070)		(645)
Other, net	(9)		(30)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(3,085)		(4,436)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(156)		(10)
Proceeds from borrowings	0		749
Principal payments under debt obligations	0		(1)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(159)		(148)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	134		297
Treasury stock reissued	19		5
Other, net	6		9
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(156)		901
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(36)		(60)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	555		(39)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,041		2,249
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,596		2,210
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	295		356
Interest paid	43		44
Noncash interest	28	[1]	13	[1]
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	55		203
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	(1)		1
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	8		8
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	6		6
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 4		$ 4

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