Guaranteed Benefit Features (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Balance as of beginning-of-year	$ 84	$ 44	$ 71
Changes in reserves	64	93	57
Benefits paid	(44)	(53)	(84)
Balance as of end-of-year	104	84	44
Asset type
Total	81,670	71,008
Percent of total variable annuity separate account values	98.00%	98.00%
Percent of permanent life insurance in force	38.00%
Percent of permanent life insurance sales	29.00%
Domestic Equity [Member]
Asset type
Total	37,899	34,286
International Equity [Member]
Asset type
Total	14,850	13,095
Bonds [Member]
Asset type
Total	21,174	17,735
Money Market [Member]
Asset type
Total	7,747	5,892
Return of Net Deposits [Member]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Total Account Value	63,478	54,004
Net amount at risk	392	1,379
Average attained age of contract holders	60	59
Minimum Return [Member]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Total Account Value	149	155
Net amount at risk	37	48
Average attained age of contract holders	73	72
Guaranteed minimum return	5.00%	5.00%
Anniversary Contract Value [Member]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Total Account Value	23,019	21,648
Net amount at risk	$ 1,133	$ 2,939
Average attained age of contract holders	67	67