Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 4,604	$ 2,659		$ 2,533
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	(91)	42		147
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(1,468)	(1,447)		(1,307)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	1,132	1,141		1,066
Increase in policy liabilities	2,890	3,331		3,524
Change in income tax liabilities	(1,240)	(93)		(36)
Realized investment (gains) losses	151	14		(106)
Other, net	150	340	[1]	955	[1]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	6,128	5,987		6,776
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	3,819	5,157		3,224
Fixed maturities matured or called	768	1,096		1,132
Perpetual securities matured or called	93	470		647
Equity securities sold	902	350		1
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	2,212	1,399		766
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired	(9,867)	(10,890)		(6,507)
Available-for-sale equity securities acquired	(446)	(1,079)		(454)
Other investments, net	(2,018)	(1,118)		(70)
Purchase of subsidiary	0	0		(40)
Settlement of derivatives, net	(621)	1,252		(2,119)
Cash received (pledged or returned) as collateral, net	(205)	(416)		(1,391)
Other, net	(68)	(76)		(86)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(5,431)	(3,855)		(4,897)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,351)	(1,422)		(1,315)
Proceeds from borrowings	1,040	986		998
Principal payments under debt obligations	(1,161)	(610)		(1,272)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(661)	(658)		(656)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	35	159		256
Treasury stock reissued	33	46		36
Other, net	0	(120)	[1]	(234)	[1]
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(2,065)	(1,619)		(2,187)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	(4)		0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(1,368)	509		(308)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	4,859	4,350		4,658
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	3,491	4,859		4,350
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	780	1,526		996
Interest paid	196	211		236
Noncash interest	44	57		53
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	37	85		154
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	12	1		6
Associate stock bonus
Noncash financing activities:
Treasury stock issued	29	30		35
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Noncash financing activities:
Treasury stock issued	29	27		26
Share-based compensation grants
Noncash financing activities:
Treasury stock issued	$ 1	4		3
Senior Notes due 2039 and 2040
Expense on extinguishment of debt		$ 137
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Expense on extinguishment of debt				$ 230

[1] Operating activities excludes and financing activities includes a cash outflow of $137 in 2016 and $230 in 2015 for the payments associated with the early extinguishment of debt