Fair Value Measurements (Details 8) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	$ (3,781)	$ 759	$ (227)	$ 1,675
Fair value option not elected changes in fair value gain (loss)	(102)	2,100	819	2,800
Fair value option credit risk gains (losses) on liabilities	459	(342)	475	(732)
Fair Value Option | Mortgage and other loans receivable
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	(3)	28	(2)	65
Fair Value Option | Bond and equity securities
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	(138)	1,644	1,299	2,248
Fair Value Option | Trading - ML II Interest
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	(43)	156	32	436
Fair Value Option | Trading - ML III Interest
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	(931)	301	(854)	1,410
Fair Value Option | Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)		18		14
Fair Value Option | Retained Interests
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	(2,315)		268
Fair Value Option | Short-term investments and other invested assets and Other assets
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	12	4	40	(40)
Policyholder contract deposits
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)		(163)		(130)
Debt
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	(447)	(1,228)	(919)	(2,329)
Other liabilities
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures
Gain (Loss)	$ 84	$ (1)	$ (91)	$ 1