Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 2,548	$ 2,613	$ 8,065	$ 7,745
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	151	248	816	756
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax	(8)	(2)	(8)	29
Net income (loss)	143	246	808	785
Retirement Solutions [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	958	905	2,946	2,665
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	202	176	591	483
Annuities Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	710	660	2,175	1,935
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	162	126	459	361
Defined Contribution Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	248	245	771	730
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	40	50	132	122
Insurance Solutions [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,655	1,559	5,010	4,739
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	160	69	528	402
Life Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,176	1,108	3,552	3,372
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	132	60	450	348
Group Protection Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	479	451	1,458	1,367
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	28	9	78	54
Other Operations [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	120	122	351	367
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	(45)	(40)	(104)	(113)
Excluded Realized Gain (Loss), Pre Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	(185)	25	(243)	(27)
Amortization of Deferred Gains From Reserve Changes On Business Sold Through Reinsurance, Pre Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	1	1	2	2
Amortization Income of DFEL Associated With Benefit Ratio Unlocking, Pre Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	(1)	1	(1)	(1)
Excluded Realized Gain (Loss), After Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	(120)	17	(158)	(17)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, After Tax, Reconcilling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	(5)	0	(5)	0
Income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance, After Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	0	1	1	1
Benefit ratio unlocking, After Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, after-tax	$ (41)	$ 25	$ (37)	$ 0

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- Definition

The domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the Company's pretax income from continuing operations for the period. The "statutory" tax rate shall be the regular tax rate if there are alternative tax systems.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 47

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the reporting entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 29

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 28

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph b(1)

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- Definition

This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group apportioned to the parent that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes after deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References

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- Definition

The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph d

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph A7

-Appendix A

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 130

-Paragraph 10, 15

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 87-21

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28, 29, 30

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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