Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 3,158		$ 2,866		$ 1,937
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	(8)		(199)		25
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(404)		(643)		(505)
Increase in policy liabilities	6,806		12,005		7,402
Change in income tax liabilities	993		712		266
Realized investment (gains) losses	(399)		349		1,552
Other, net	401		(138)		165
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	10,547		14,952		10,842
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	9,631		7,385		14,385
Fixed maturities matured or called	2,907		1,959		170
Perpetual securities sold	264		1,599		690
Perpetual securities matured or called	256		376		0
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	6,515		1,859		728
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(22,967)		(19,533)		(8,392)
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired	(6,756)		(16,550)		(18,995)
Settlement of derivatives	(1,624)		0		0
Cash received as collateral, net	1,037		5,439		647
Other, net	(354)		514		(62)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(11,091)		(16,952)		(10,829)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(813)		(118)		(308)
Proceeds from borrowings	700		1,506		620
Principal payments under debt obligations	0		(341)		(462)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(635)		(603)		(552)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	1,790		1,457		733
Treasury stock reissued	88		32		26
Other, net	6		12		7
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	1,136		1,945		64
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(90)		(153)		51
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	502		(208)		128
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,041		2,249		2,121
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,543		2,041		2,249
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	754		788		828
Interest paid	210		178		164
Noncash interest	82	[1]	83	[1]	32	[1]
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	199	[2]	977	[2]	1,901	[2]
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	0		4		6
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	36		35		32
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	25		24		23
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 4		$ 4		$ 2

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

[2] Includes $45, $597 and $1,286 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $26 and $27 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value; and $128, $353 and $615 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities