SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Net investment income										$ 4,827	$ 4,859	$ 4,754
Other revenues										531	960	520
Total revenues		$ 3,171	$ 3,716	$ 3,381	$ 3,304	$ 3,685	$ 3,411	$ 3,282	$ 3,176	13,572	13,554	11,969
Expenses
Operating and administrative										1,701	1,640	1,630
Total expenses		2,820	3,448	2,932	2,942	3,253	2,810	2,745	2,749	12,142	11,557	10,338
Income before federal income tax benefit, equity in income of subsidiaries, less dividends										1,430	1,997	1,631
Federal income tax expense (benefit)										276	483	387
Net income (loss)		$ 283	$ 227	$ 344	$ 300	$ 349	$ 439	$ 398	$ 329	1,154	1,515	1,244
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized investment gains (losses)										(2,229)	1,591	(2,335)
Foreign currency translation adjustment										(2)	2	(1)
Funded status of employee benefit plans										20	60	(91)
Comprehensive income (loss)										(1,097)	3,048	(1,001)
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Dividends from subsidiaries	[1]									1,175	791	725
Interest from subsidiaries	[1]									111	125	128
Net investment income											1
Realized gain (loss)											1	(9)
Other revenues										25		5
Total revenues										1,311	918	849
Expenses
Operating and administrative										38	39	46
Interest - subsidiaries	[1]									7	6	5
Interest - other										270	280	282
Total expenses										315	325	333
Income before federal income tax benefit, equity in income of subsidiaries, less dividends										996	593	516
Federal income tax expense (benefit)										(66)	(77)	(73)
Income (loss) before equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends										1,062	670	589
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, less dividends	[2]									92	845	655
Net income (loss)										1,154	1,515	1,244
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Unrealized investment gains (losses)										(2,229)	1,591	(2,335)
Foreign currency translation adjustment										(2)	2	(1)
Funded status of employee benefit plans										(20)	(60)	91
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax										(2,251)	1,533	(2,245)
Comprehensive income (loss)										$ (1,097)	$ 3,048	$ (1,001)

[1] Eliminated in consolidation.

[2] Eliminated in consolidation.