Reinsurance (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Ceded Premiums And Fees [Abstract]
Individual life insurance and annuity business sold	$ 41,000,000	$ 50,000,000	$ 138,000,000	$ 146,000,000
Other	72,000,000	62,000,000	208,000,000	179,000,000
Total	113,000,000	112,000,000	346,000,000	325,000,000
Reinsurance Recoveries [Abstract]
Individual life insurance and annuity business sold	79,000,000	67,000,000	216,000,000	219,000,000
Other	54,000,000	64,000,000	150,000,000	157,000,000
Total	133,000,000	131,000,000	366,000,000	376,000,000
Reinsurance Text Details [Abstract]
Reinsurance Recoverable Great American Life And Annuity Business	404,000,000		404,000,000
Percentage Of Reinsurance Recoverables Acquired Business ReinsuranceSecured	100.00%		100.00%
Reinsurance Recoverable Retirement Benefits Business	1,400,000,000		1,400,000,000		1,600,000,000
Percentage Of Reinsurance Recoverables Retirements Benefits Business Secured	100.00%		100.00%
Reinsurance Recoverable Individual Life And Annuity Reinsurance	4,100,000,000		4,100,000,000		4,200,000,000
Ceded Reinsurance Recoverable Ongoing Operations	347,000,000		347,000,000
Number Of Reinsurers Ongoing Operations	75		75
Reserve Held For Ceded Reinsurance Recoverable Ongoing Operations	4,000,000		4,000,000
Reinsurance Recoverable Run Off Reinsurance	177,000,000		177,000,000
Reserve Held For Reinsurance Recoverable Run Off Reinsurance	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
Percentage Of Reinsurance Recoverables Runoff Reinsurance Secured	91.00%		91.00%