Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 1,418,000,000	$ 1,907,000,000
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums	1,832,000,000	719,000,000
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(386,000,000)	(291,000,000)
Increase in policy liabilities	3,259,000,000	2,463,000,000
Change in income tax liabilities	49,000,000	0
Realized investment (gains) losses	1,330,000,000	127,000,000
Other, net	(16,000,000)	(56,000,000)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	7,486,000,000	4,869,000,000
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold	6,878,000,000	1,637,000,000
Perpetual securities sold	230,000,000	700,000,000
Equity securities sold	0	328,000,000
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called	710,000,000	8,000,000
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities acquired	(6,361,000,000)	(6,663,000,000)
Equity securities acquired	0	(330,000,000)
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities acquired	(11,307,000,000)	(1,122,000,000)
Cash received as collateral on loaned securities, net	667,000,000	(349,000,000)
Other, net	(31,000,000)	(18,000,000)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(7,779,000,000)	(5,080,000,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock	(268,000,000)	(5,000,000)
Proceeds from borrowings	624,000,000	748,000,000
Principal payments under debt obligations	(462,000,000)	(456,000,000)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(404,000,000)	(395,000,000)
Change in investment-type contracts, net	472,000,000	299,000,000
Treasury stock reissued	18,000,000	39,000,000
Other, net	5,000,000	36,000,000
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(15,000,000)	266,000,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	49,000,000	56,000,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(259,000,000)	111,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,121,000,000	2,323,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,862,000,000	2,434,000,000
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	690,000,000	926,000,000
Interest paid	88,000,000	77,000,000
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	1,100,000,000	55,000,000
Noncash financing activities:
Capitalized lease obligations	4,000,000	1,000,000
Treasury stock issued for:
Associate stock bonus	27,000,000	0
Shareholder dividend reinvestment	17,000,000	0
Share-based compensation grants	2,000,000	3,000,000
Fixed Maturities
Securities available for sale:
Securities available for sale matured or called	1,373,000,000	729,000,000
Perpetual Securities
Securities available for sale:
Securities available for sale matured or called	$ 62,000,000	$ 0