New Accounting Standards (Details) (Accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts [Member]
Assets
Deferred acquisition cost			$ (1,415)	$ (1,516)
Liabilities
Other liabilities - deferred income taxes			(490)	(524)
Stockholders Equity
Retained earnings			(1,157)	(1,095)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			232	103
Total stockholders' equity			(925)	(992)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity			(1,415)	(1,516)
Revenues
Realized gain (loss)	0	8
Expenses
Commissions and other expenses	15	(66)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	10	(38)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	15	(58)
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ (5)	$ 20
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic	$ 0.03	$ (0.12)
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted	$ 0.03	$ (0.12)