TOTAL EQUITY AND EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Fixed Maturity Investments on Which Other-Than-Temporary Credit Impairments Were Taken
Unrealized change arising during period	$ 26	$ (76)	$ 1,027	$ 500
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	(2)	(1)	(4)	(37)
Total, Other-Than-Temporary Impairments in AOCI	28	(75)	1,031	537
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	11	32	401	248
Total other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense (benefit)	17	(107)	630	289
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of All Other Investments
Unrealized change arising during period	2,149	2,407	4,472	2,503
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	317	613	1,277	1,978
Total other comprehensive income, before income tax expense (benefit)	1,832	1,794	3,195	525
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	527	(67)	909	(529)
Total other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense (benefit)	1,305	1,861	2,286	1,054
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Unrealized change arising during period	(512)	308	(425)	957
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income				1,506
Total other comprehensive income, before income tax expense (benefit)	(512)	308	(425)	(549)
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	(85)	20	(89)	(320)
Total other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense (benefit)	(427)	288	(336)	(229)
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Arising from Cash Flow Hedging Activities
Unrealized change arising during period		(3)	(1)	(3)
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	(4)	(16)	(9)	(34)
Total other comprehensive income, before income tax expense (benefit)	4	13	8	31
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	3	(45)	(15)	(40)
Total other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense (benefit)	1	58	23	71
Change in Retirement Plan Liabilities Adjustment
Unrealized change arising during period	4	(19)	4	(19)
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	(13)	(27)	(42)	(277)
Total other comprehensive income, before income tax expense (benefit)	17	8	46	258
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	3	(6)	14	109
Total other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense (benefit)	14	14	32	149
Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Adjustments
Unrealized change arising during period	1,667	2,617	5,077	3,938
Less: Reclassification adjustments included in net income	298	569	1,222	3,136
Total other comprehensive income, before income tax expense (benefit)	1,369	2,048	3,855	802
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)	459	(66)	1,220	(532)
Other comprehensive income	$ 910	$ 2,114	$ 2,635	$ 1,334