CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 3,700	$ 21,330	$ 12,285
(Income) loss from discontiued operations	4,052	(1,790)	969
Noncash revenues, expenses, gains and losses included in income (loss):
Net (gains) losses on sales of securities available for sale and other assets	(3,219)	(1,772)	(2,903)
Net (gains) losses on sales of divested businesses	2	74	(19,566)
Net loss on extinguishment of debt	9	2,847	104
Unrealized (gains) losses in earnings - net	(6,107)	(957)	(1,529)
Equity in (income) loss from equity method investments, net of dividends or distributions	(911)	(637)	(1,268)
Depreciation and other amortization	5,307	5,424	5,977
Amortization of costs and accrued interest and fees related to FRBNY Credit Facility		48	4,223
Impairments of assets	1,524	1,798	3,759
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
General and life insurance reserves	(2,260)	(202)	8,705
Premiums and other receivables and payables - net	1,736	1,771	482
Reinsurance assets and funds held under reinsurance treaties	1,407	(1,103)	(3,510)
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(5,613)	(5,429)	(5,933)
Current and deferred income taxes - net	1,122	(20,061)	6,052
Payment of FRBNY Credit Facility accrued compounded interest and fees		(6,363)
Other, net	(1)	(1,234)	(1,686)
Total adjustments	(7,004)	(25,796)	(7,093)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	748	(6,256)	6,161
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations	2,928	6,175	10,436
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,676	(81)	16,597
Sales or distribution of:
Available for sale investments	39,818	43,961	56,211
Trading securities	17,814	9,867	6,363
Other invested assets	18,552	7,655	8,424
Divested businesses, net		587	21,760
Maturities of fixed maturity securities available for sale	21,449	20,062	14,609
Principal payments received on and sales of mortgage and other loans receivable	3,266	3,154	5,259
Purchases of:
Available for sale investments	(53,536)	(90,627)	(78,886)
Trading securities	(13,373)	(1,253)	(3,380)
Other invested assets	(4,463)	(6,023)	(7,579)
Mortgage and other loans receivable issued and purchased	(3,256)	(2,587)	(2,990)
Net change in restricted cash	695	27,202	(27,026)
Net change in short-term investments	(8,158)	18,799	(2,446)
Other, net	(526)	180	(167)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	18,282	30,977	(9,848)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations	(1,670)	5,471	(64)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	16,612	36,448	(9,912)
Proceeds from (payments for)
Policyholder contract deposits	13,288	17,903	19,570
Policyholder contract withdrawals	(13,978)	(13,570)	(14,897)
FRBNY credit facility repayments		(14,622)	(23,178)
FRBNY credit facility borrowings			19,900
Issuance of long-term debt	4,844	3,190	3,342
Repayments of long-term debt	(7,276)	(9,486)	(7,986)
Proceeds from drawdown on the Department of the Treasury Commitment		20,292	2,199
Repayment of Department of the Treasury SPV Preferred Interests	(8,636)	(12,425)
Repayment of FRBNY SPV Preferred Interests		(26,432)
Issuance of Common Stock		5,055
Purchase of Common Stock	(13,000)	(70)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(167)	(688)
Other, net	4,493	(277)	(5,967)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	(20,432)	(31,130)	(7,017)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - discontinued operations	(132)	(5,796)	(2,244)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(20,564)	(36,926)	(9,261)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	16	29	39
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(260)	(530)	(2,537)
Cash at beginning of period	1,474	1,558	4,400
Reclassification to assets held for sale	(63)	446	(305)
Cash at end of period	$ 1,151	$ 1,474	$ 1,558