Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 1,781		$ 1,268
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	29		(73)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(219)		(311)
Increase in policy liabilities	4,027		5,947
Change in income tax liabilities	606		105
Realized investment (gains) losses	(357)		463
Other, net	(169)		(154)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	5,698		7,245
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	1,901		982
Fixed maturities matured or called	1,895		938
Perpetual securities sold	54		897
Perpetual securities matured or called	417		376
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	5,586		1,058
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(8,660)		(3,265)
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired	(629)		(8,418)
Settlement of derivatives	(1,562)		0
Cash received as collateral on loaned securities, net	(4,771)		(646)
Other, net	(41)		20
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(5,810)		(8,058)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(287)		(10)
Proceeds from borrowings	700		749
Principal payments under debt obligations	0		(339)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(315)		(296)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	381		601
Treasury stock reissued	39		11
Other, net	8		9
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	526		725
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(67)		(31)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	347		(119)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,041		2,249
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,388		2,130
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	395		588
Interest paid	103		83
Noncash interest	37	[1]	36	[1]
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	55	[2]	546	[2]
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	0		2
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	20		19
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	12		12
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 4		$ 4

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

[2] Includes $0 and $267 for the three-month periods and $0 and $295 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $0 for the three-month period and $1 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value; and $0 and $76 for the three-month periods and $54 and $251 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities