Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 2,483		$ 2,285
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	(29)		(203)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(319)		(481)
Increase in policy liabilities	5,653		9,371
Change in income tax liabilities	422		385
Realized investment (gains) losses	(379)		177
Other, net	(672)		(83)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	7,159		11,451
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	9,354		5,376
Fixed maturities matured or called	2,049		1,616
Perpetual securities sold	212		1,389
Perpetual securities matured or called	259		378
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	5,619		1,579
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(16,937)		(12,815)
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired	(1,180)		(15,629)
Settlement of derivatives	(1,496)		0
Cash received as collateral on loaned securities, net	(5,606)		5,752
Other, net	205		(145)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(7,521)		(12,499)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(307)		(13)
Proceeds from borrowings	700		1,456
Principal payments under debt obligations	0		(340)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(472)		(445)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	1,138		1,095
Treasury stock reissued	59		19
Other, net	15		9
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	1,133		1,781
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(63)		3
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	708		736
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,041		2,249
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,749		2,985
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	673		762
Interest paid	139		119
Noncash interest	72	[1]	66	[1]
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	65	[2]	643	[2]
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	0		3
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	28		24
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	18		19
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 5		$ 3

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

[2] Includes $0 and $70 for the three-month periods and $0 and $365 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $0 and $27 for the three-month periods and $1 and $27 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value; and $10 and $0 for the three-month periods and $64 and $251 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities