Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Premiums, principally supplemental health insurance	$ 20,362		$ 18,073		$ 16,621
Net Investment Income	3,280		3,007		2,765
Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(1,901)		(459)		(1,387)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income	0		0		26
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	(1,901)	[1]	(459)	[2]	(1,361)	[2]
Sales and redemptions	594		38		149
Derivative and other gains (losses)	(245)		(1)		0
Total realized investment gains (losses)	(1,552)		(422)		(1,212)
Other income	81		74		80
Total revenues	22,171		20,732		18,254
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and claims	13,749		12,106		11,308
Acquisition and operating expenses:
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	1,102		1,030		942
Insurance commissions	1,725		1,637		1,568
Insurance expenses	2,225		2,062		1,977
Interest expense	196		149		72
Other operating expenses	182		163		152
Total acquisition and operating expenses	5,430		5,041		4,711
Total benefits and expenses	19,179		17,147		16,019
Earnings before income taxes	2,992		3,585		2,235
Income tax expense:
Current	891		862		830
Deferred	137		379		(92)
Total income taxes	1,028		1,241		738
Net earnings	$ 1,964		$ 2,344		$ 1,497
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 4.21		$ 5.00		$ 3.21
Diluted	$ 4.18		$ 4.95		$ 3.19
Weighted-average outstanding common shares used in computing earnings per share (In thousands):
Basic	466,519		469,038		466,552
Diluted	469,370		473,085		469,063

[1] Includes $1.3 billion for credit-related impairments and $615 million from change in intent to sell securities

[2] Consisted completely of credit-related impairments