Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 2,951		$ 3,158		$ 2,866
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	(7)		(8)		(199)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(225)		(404)		(643)
Increase in policy liabilities	3,614		6,806		12,005
Change in income tax liabilities	123		993		712
Realized investment (gains) losses	(215)		(399)		349
Other, net	309		401		(138)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	6,550		10,547		14,952
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	4,178		9,631		7,385
Fixed maturities matured or called	1,001		2,907		1,959
Perpetual securities sold	0		264		1,599
Perpetual securities matured or called	203		256		376
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	8,475		6,515		1,859
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(10,978)		(22,967)		(19,533)
Available-for-sale equity securities acquired	(5)		0		0
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired	(3,564)		(6,756)		(16,550)
Other investments, net	272		(319)		(6)
Settlement of derivatives, net	(636)		(1,624)		0
Cash received (pledged or returned) as collateral, net	(3,217)		1,037		5,439
Other, net	30		(35)		520
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(4,241)		(11,091)		(16,952)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,210)		(813)		(118)
Proceeds from borrowings	750		700		1,506
Principal payments under debt obligations	(335)		0		(341)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(654)		(635)		(603)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	1,253		1,790		1,457
Treasury stock reissued	33		88		32
Other, net	16		6		12
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(147)		1,136		1,945
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(47)		(90)		(153)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,115		502		(208)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,543		2,041		2,249
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	4,658		2,543		2,041
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	1,416		754		788
Interest paid	241		210		178
Noncash interest	76	[1]	82	[1]	83	[1]
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	31	[2]	199	[2]	977	[2]
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	9		0		4
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	35		36		35
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	26		25		24
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued	$ 4		$ 4		$ 4

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

[2] Includes $45 and $597 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 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 $31, $128 and $353 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities