Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 2,248		$ 2,483
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	(2)		(29)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(135)		(319)
Increase in policy liabilities	2,674		5,653
Change in income tax liabilities	(270)		422
Realized investment (gains) losses	(72)		(379)
Other, net	134		(672)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	4,577		7,159
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	1,773		9,354
Fixed maturities matured or called	723		2,049
Perpetual securities sold	60		212
Perpetual securities matured or called	0		259
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	8,456		5,619
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(8,959)		(16,937)
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired	(3,564)		(1,180)
Other investments, net	(3,690)		(315)
Settlement of derivatives, net	(367)		(1,496)
Cash received as collateral, net	1,414		(5,606)
Other, net	10		520
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(4,144)		(7,521)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(698)		(307)
Proceeds from borrowings	0		700
Principal payments under debt obligations	(335)		0
Dividends paid to shareholders	(486)		(472)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	1,166		1,138
Treasury stock reissued	25		59
Other, net	6		15
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(322)		1,133
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	12		(63)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	123		708
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,543		2,041
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,666		2,749
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	1,412		673
Interest paid	171		139
Noncash interest	66	[1]	72	[1]
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	31	[2]	65	[2]
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	26		28
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	19		18
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 4		$ 5

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

[2] Includes $0 and $1 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value; $0 and $10 for the three-month periods and $31 and $64 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities