Reinsurance (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Effects Of Reinsurance [Line Items]

Effects of Reinsurance

(In millions)	2015		2014		2013
Premiums
Short-duration contracts:
Direct	$	26,751	$	24,294	$	23,056
Assumed		289		429		394
Ceded		(254)		(226)		(252)
		26,786		24,497		23,198
Long-duration contracts:
Direct		3,061		2,921		2,485
Assumed		111		173		183
Ceded:
Individual life insurance and annuity business sold		(158)		(254)		(176)
Other		(158)		(123)		(115)
		2,856		2,717		2,377
Total	$	29,642	$	27,214	$	25,575
Reinsurance recoveries
Individual life insurance and annuity business sold	$	301	$	366	$	335
Other		436		292		(18)
Total	$	737	$	658	$	317

Reinsurance Recoverables

(In millions)
	Line of Business	Reinsurer(s)	December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014		Collateral and Other Terms at December 31, 2015
	GMDB	Berkshire	$	1,123	$	1,147	100% were secured by assets in a trust.
		Other		41		39	100% were secured by assets in a letter of credit or a trust.
	Individual Life and Annuity (sold in 1998)	Lincoln National Life and Lincoln Life & Annuity of New York		3,705		3,817	Both companies' ratings were sufficient to avoid triggering a contractual obligation to fully secure the outstanding balance.
	Retirement Benefits Business (sold in 2004)	Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity		995		1,092	100% were secured by assets in a trust.
	Supplemental Benefits Business (2012 acquisition)	Great American Life		315		336	99% were secured by assets in a trust.
	Global Health Care, Global Supplemental Benefits, Group Disability and Life	Various		553		561	Recoverables from approximately 75 reinsurers, including the U.S. Government, used in the ordinary course of business. Excluding the recoverable from the U.S. Government of approximately $160 million, current balances range from less than $1 million up to $88 million, with 18% secured by assets in trusts or letters of credit.
	Other run-off reinsurance	Various		81		88	100% of this balance was secured by assets in a trust and other deposits.
	Total reinsurance recoverables		$	6,813	$	7,080

Variable Annuity [Member] | Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member]

Effects Of Reinsurance [Line Items]

Future policy benefits for GMDB business

(In millions)	2015		2014		2013
Balance at January 1,	$	1,270	$	1,396	$	1,090
Add: Unpaid claims		16		18		24
Less: Reinsurance and other amounts recoverable		1,186		1,317		42
Balance at January 1, net		100		97		1,072
Add: Incurred benefits		3		3		699
Less: Paid benefits (including the $1,647 payment for Berkshire reinsurance transaction)		(3)		-		1,674
Ending balance, net		106		100		97
Less: Unpaid claims		18		16		18
Add: Reinsurance and other amounts recoverable		1,164		1,186		1,317
Balance at December 31,	$	1,252	$	1,270	$	1,396

Account value, net amount at risk, contractholder average age

(Dollars in millions, excludes impact of reinsurance ceded)	2015		2014
Account value	$	11,355	$	13,078
Net amount at risk	$	2,870	$	2,763
Average attained age of contractholders (weighted by exposure)		74		73
Number of contractholders		324,000		354,000