Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$ 2,533		$ 2,951	$ 3,158
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums		147		(7)	(8)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs		(241)		(225)	(404)
Increase in policy liabilities		3,524		3,614	6,806
Change in income tax liabilities		(36)		123	993
Realized investment (gains) losses		(140)		(215)	(399)
Other Noncash Income (Expense)		(989)	[1]	(309)	(401)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		6,776		6,550	10,547
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold		3,224		4,178	9,631
Fixed maturities matured or called		1,132		1,001	2,907
Perpetual securities sold		0		0	264
Perpetual securities matured or called		647		203	256
Equity securities sold		1		0	0
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called		766		8,475	6,515
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired		(6,507)		(10,978)	(22,967)
Available-for-sale equity securities acquired		(454)		(5)	0
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired		0		(3,564)	(6,756)
Other investments, net		(70)		272	(319)
Purchase of subsidiary		(40)		0	0
Settlement of derivatives, net		(2,119)		(636)	(1,624)
Cash received (pledged or returned) as collateral, net		(1,391)		(3,217)	1,037
Other, net		(86)		30	(35)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		(4,897)		(4,241)	(11,091)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock		(1,315)		(1,210)	(813)
Proceeds from borrowings		998		750	700
Principal payments under debt obligations		(1,272)		(335)	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		(656)		(654)	(635)
Change in investment-type contracts, net		256		1,253	1,790
Treasury stock reissued		36		33	88
Other, net		(234)	[1]	16	6
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(2,187)		(147)	1,136
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		0		(47)	(90)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(308)		2,115	502
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4,658		2,543	2,041
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		4,350		4,658	2,543
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid		996		1,416	754
Interest paid		236		241	210
Noncash interest		53		76	82
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	[2]	153		31	199
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations		6		9	0
Associate stock bonus
Noncash financing activities:
Treasury stock issued		35		35	36
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Noncash financing activities:
Treasury stock issued		26		26	25
Share-based compensation grants
Noncash financing activities:
Treasury stock issued		3		$ 4	$ 4
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Expense on extinguishment of debt, make-whole premium		$ 230

[1] Operating activities excludes and financing activities includes a cash outflow of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt

[2] Includes $131 and $45 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2013, respectively, for credit-related impairments; $26 for the year ended December 31, 2013 for impairments due to severity and duration of decline in fair value; and $22, $31 and $128 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities