Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Derivative Financial Instruments Policies [Abstract]
General Derivative Policy	Note 8 — Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative instruments associated with the Company's run-off reinsurance segment. The Company has written reinsurance contracts with issuers of variable annuity contracts that provide annuitants with certain guarantees of minimum income benefits resulting from the level of variable annuity account values compared with a contractually guaranteed amount (“GMIB liabilities”). The Company has purchased retrocessional coverage for a portion of these contracts (“GMIB assets”). Because cash flows are affected by equity markets and interest rates, but are without significant life insurance risk and are settled in lump sum payments, the Company reports these GMIB liabilities and assets as derivatives at fair value. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company expanded its dynamic hedge program that substantially reduces equity market exposures associated with its GMDB business to include a portion of equity market exposures associated with its GMIB business (approximately one-quarter). The Company also implemented a dynamic hedge program to reduce the growth interest rate exposures for approximately one-third of its GMDB and one-quarter of its GMIB businesses (“GMDB and GMIB growth interest rate hedge program”). These hedge programs are dynamic because the Company will regularly rebalance the hedging instruments within established parameters as equity and interest rate exposures of these businesses change. The Company manages these hedge programs using exchange-traded equity, foreign currency and interest rate futures contracts, and interest rate swap contracts. These contracts are generally expected to rise in value as equity markets and interest rates decline, and decline in value as equity markets and interest rates rise. These hedge programs do not qualify for GAAP hedge accounting. Although these hedge programs effectively reduce equity market and interest rate exposures, changes in the fair values of the swap and futures contracts may not exactly offset changes in the portions of the GMDB and GMIB liabilities covered by these hedges, in part because the market does not offer contracts that exactly match the targeted exposure profile. The results of the swaps and futures contracts are included in other revenues and amounts reflecting corresponding changes in liabilities for GMDB contracts are included in benefits and expenses. Related changes in liabilities for GMIB contracts are reported in GMIB fair value (gain) loss. See Notes 5 and 6 for further details regarding these businesses. Derivative instruments used in the Company's investment risk management. Derivative financial instruments are also used by the Company as a part of its investment strategy to manage the characteristics of investment assets (such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity) to meet the varying demands of the related insurance and contractholder liabilities (such as paying claims, investment returns and withdrawals). Derivatives are typically used under this strategy to minimize interest rate and foreign currency risks. The Company routinely monitors exposure to credit risk associated with derivatives and diversifies the portfolio among approved dealers of high credit quality to minimize this risk. Accounting for derivative instruments. The Company applies hedge accounting when derivatives are designated, qualify and are highly effective as hedges. Effectiveness is formally assessed and documented at inception and each period throughout the life of a hedge using various quantitative methods appropriate for each hedge, including regression analysis and dollar offset. Under hedge accounting, the changes in fair value of the derivative and the hedged risk are generally recognized together and offset each other when reported in shareholders' net income. The Company accounts for derivative instruments as follows: Derivatives are reported on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair values reported in shareholders' net income or accumulated other comprehensive income. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that hedge market risk related to future cash flows and that qualify for hedge accounting are reported in a separate caption in accumulated other comprehensive income. These hedges are referred to as cash flow hedges. A change in the fair value of a derivative instrument may not always equal the change in the fair value of the hedged item; this difference is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness. Where hedge accounting is used, the Company reflects hedge ineffectiveness in shareholders' net income (generally as part of realized investment gains and losses).
Designated as accounting hedges - interest rate, FX and combinations policy	Using cash flow hedge accounting, fair values are reported in other long-term investments or other liabilities and accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into net investment income or reported in other realized investment gains and losses as interest or principal payments are received.
Designated as accounting hedges - treasury lock policy	Using cash flow hedge accounting, fair values are reported in other assets or other liabilities, with changes in fair value reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized to interest expense over the period of expected cash flows.
Not designated as accounting hedges - futures policy	Fair value changes are reported in other revenues. Amounts not yet settled from the previous day's fair value change (daily variation margin) are reported in other assets and other liabilities. For interest rate futures, fair value changes are reported in other revenues. Amounts not yet settled from the previous day's fair value change (daily variation margin) are reported in other assets and other liabilities.
Not designated as accounting hedges - interest rate swaps policy	Fair values are reported in other long-term investments or other liabilities, with changes in fair value reported in other realized investment gains and losses. For interest rate swaps, fair values are reported in other assets and other liabilities, with changes in fair value and interest income and interest expense reported in other revenues.
Not designated as accounting hedges - GMIB written and purchased options policy	Fair values are reported in other liabilities (GMIB liability) and other assets (GMIB asset). Changes in fair value are reported in GMIB fair value (gain)/loss.
Fair Value Measurements Policies [Abstract]
First section of Fair Value footnote	The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value in the financial statements including fixed maturities, equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives. Other financial instruments are measured at fair value under certain conditions, such as when impaired. Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the balance sheet date. A liability's fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a market participant, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Fair values are based on quoted market prices when available. When market prices are not available, fair value is generally estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating current market inputs for similar financial instruments with comparable terms and credit quality. In instances where there is little or no market activity for the same or similar instruments, the Company estimates fair value using methods, models and assumptions that the Company believes a hypothetical market participant would use to determine a current transaction price. These valuation techniques involve some level of estimation and judgment by the Company which becomes significant with increasingly complex instruments or pricing models. The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified based upon a hierarchy defined by GAAP. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset's or a liability's classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a financial asset or liability carried at fair value would be classified in Level 3 if unobservable inputs were significant to the instrument's fair value, even though the measurement may be derived using inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3) The Company performs ongoing analyses of prices used to value the Company's invested assets to determine that they represent appropriate estimates of fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis including reviews of pricing methodologies, judgments of valuation inputs, the significance of any unobservable inputs, pricing statistics and trends. The Company also performs sample testing of sales values to confirm the accuracy of prior fair value estimates.
Level 1 financial assets policy	Inputs for instruments classified in Level 1 include unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets accessible at the measurement date. Active markets provide pricing data for trades occurring at least weekly and include exchanges and dealer markets. Assets in Level 1 include actively-traded U.S. government bonds and exchange-listed equity securities. Given the narrow definition of Level 1 and the Company's investment asset strategy to maximize investment returns, a relatively small portion of the Company's investment assets are classified in this category.
Level 2 financial assets and financial liabilities policy	Inputs for instruments classified in Level 2 include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are market observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such other inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads and yield curves. An instrument is classified in Level 2 if the Company determines that unobservable inputs are insignificant.
Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities policy	Certain inputs for instruments classified in Level 3 are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to their resulting fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date. The Company classifies certain newly issued, privately placed, complex or illiquid securities, as well as assets and liabilities relating to GMIB, in Level 3. Fair values of mortgage and asset-backed securities and corporate bonds are determined using pricing models that incorporate the specific characteristics of each asset and related assumptions including the investment type and structure, credit quality, industry and maturity date in comparison to current market indices, spreads and liquidity of assets with similar characteristics. For mortgage and asset-backed securities, inputs and assumptions to pricing may also include collateral attributes and prepayment speeds. Recent trades in the subject security or similar securities are assessed when available, and the Company may also review published research, as well as the issuer's financial statements, in its evaluation. Certain subordinated corporate bonds and private equity investments are valued at transaction price in the absence of market data indicating a change in the estimated fair values
Measurement of GMIB assets and liabilities policy	Guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts. Because cash flows of the GMIB liabilities and assets are affected by equity markets and interest rates but are without significant life insurance risk and are settled in lump sum payments, the Company reports these liabilities and assets as derivatives at fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of the assets and liabilities for GMIB contracts using assumptions regarding capital markets (including market returns, interest rates and market volatilities of the underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments), future annuitant behavior (including mortality, lapse, and annuity election rates), and non-performance risk, as well as risk and profit charges. As certain assumptions used to estimate fair values for these contracts are largely unobservable (primarily related to future annuitant behavior), the Company classifies GMIB assets and liabilities in Level 3. The Company considered the following in determining the view of a hypothetical market participant: that the most likely transfer of these assets and liabilities would be through a reinsurance transaction with an independent insurer having a market capitalization and credit rating similar to that of the Company; and that because this block of contracts is in run-off mode, an insurer looking to acquire these contracts would have similar existing contracts with related administrative and risk management capabilities. These GMIB assets and liabilities are estimated with a complex internal model using many scenarios to determine the present value of net amounts expected to be paid, less the present value of net future premiums expected to be received adjusted for risk and profit charges that the Company estimates a hypothetical market participant would require to assume this business. Net amounts expected to be paid include the excess of the expected value of the income benefits over the values of the annuitants' accounts at the time of annuitization. Generally, market return, interest rate and volatility assumptions are based on market observable information. Assumptions related to annuitant behavior reflect the Company's belief that a hypothetical market participant would consider the actual and expected experience of the Company as well as other relevant and available industry resources in setting policyholder behavior assumptions. The Company regularly evaluates each of the assumptions used in establishing these assets and liabilities by considering how a hypothetical market participant would set assumptions at each valuation date. Capital markets assumptions are expected to change at each valuation date reflecting currently observable market conditions. Other assumptions may also change based on a hypothetical market participant's view of actual experience as it emerges over time or other factors that impact the net liability. If the emergence of future experience or future assumptions differs from the assumptions used in estimating these assets and liabilities, the resulting impact could be material to the Company's consolidated results of operations, and in certain situations, could be material to the Company's financial condition. GMIB liabilities are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. GMIB assets associated with these contracts represent net receivables in connection with reinsurance that the Company has purchased from two external reinsurers and are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in Other assets, including other intangibles.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value under certain conditions policy	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value under Certain Conditions Some financial assets and liabilities are not carried at fair value each reporting period, but may be measured using fair value only under certain conditions, such as investments in commercial mortgage loans and real estate entities when they become impaired. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, impaired commercial mortgage loans representing less than 1% of total investments were written down to their fair values, resulting in after-tax realized investment losses of $11 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, impaired commercial mortgage loans and real estate entities representing less than 1% of total investments were written down to their fair values, resulting in after-tax realized investment losses of $20 million. During 2010, impaired commercial mortgage loans and real estate entities representing less than 1% of total investments were written down to their fair values, resulting in after-tax realized investment losses of $25 million. These fair values were calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows at estimated market interest rates. Such market rates were derived by calculating the appropriate spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, based on the characteristics of the underlying collateral, including the type, quality and location of the assets. The fair value measurements were classified in Level 3 because these cash flow models incorporate significant unobservable inputs.
Commercial mortgage loans policy	Commercial mortgage loans. The Company estimates the fair value of commercial mortgage loans generally by discounting the contractual cash flows at estimated market interest rates that reflect the Company's assessment of the credit quality of the loans. Market interest rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, based on the property type, quality rating and average life of the loan. The quality ratings reflect the relative risk of the loan, considering debt service coverage, the loan-to-value ratio and other factors. Fair values of impaired mortgage loans are based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral generally determined using an internal discounted cash flow model.
Contractholder deposit funds, excluding universal life products policy	Contractholder deposit funds, excluding universal life products. Generally, these funds do not have stated maturities. Approximately 50% of these balances can be withdrawn by the customer at any time without prior notice or penalty. The fair value for these contracts is the amount estimated to be payable to the customer as of the reporting date, which is generally the carrying value. Most of the remaining contractholder deposit funds are reinsured by the buyers of the individual life and annuity and retirement benefits businesses. The fair value for these contracts is determined using the fair value of these buyers' assets supporting these reinsured contracts. The Company had a reinsurance recoverable equal to the carrying value of these reinsured contracts.
Long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding capital leases policy	Long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding capital leases. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for recent trades. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis and the Company's estimated current borrowing rate for debt of similar terms and remaining maturities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Deferred Acquisition Costs Policy	Deferred acquisition costs. In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended guidance (ASU 2010-26) for the accounting of costs related to the acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts to require costs such as certain sales compensation or telemarketing costs that are related to unsuccessful efforts and any indirect costs to be expensed as incurred. This new guidance must be implemented on January 1, 2012 and any changes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements may be recognized prospectively for acquisition costs incurred beginning in 2012 or through retrospective adjustment of comparative prior periods. The Company's deferred acquisition costs arise from sales and renewal activities primarily in its International segment and, to a lesser extent, the Health Care and corporate-owned life insurance businesses. Because the new requirements further restrict the types of costs that are deferrable, the Company expects more of its acquisition costs to be expensed when incurred under the new guidance. The Company continues to evaluate these new requirements to determine the method and estimated effects of their implementation.
Fair value policy	Fair value measurements. In May 2011, the FASB amended guidance (ASU 2011-04) to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments are effective January 1, 2012 and are to be applied prospectively. The Company is presently evaluating the new requirements to determine the potential effects of their implementation.
Troubled Debt Restructurings Policy	Troubled debt restructurings. In April 2011, the FASB amended guidance (ASU 2011-02) to clarify for lenders that a troubled debt restructuring occurs when a debt modification is a concession to the borrower and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments are effective July 1, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively to loan restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. The amendment also requires new disclosures to be provided in the third quarter 2011 addressing certain troubled debt restructurings. On adoption, the Company does not expect a material effect to its results of operations or financial condition.
Variable Interest Entities Policies [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities general policy	When the Company becomes involved with a variable interest entity and when the nature of the Company's involvement with the entity changes, in order to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the entity, it evaluates: the structure and purpose of the entity; the risks and rewards created by and shared through the entity; and the entity's participants' ability to direct the activities, receive its benefits and absorb its losses. Participants include the entity's sponsors, equity holders, guarantors, creditors and servicers. In the normal course of its investing activities, the Company makes passive investments in securities that are issued by variable interest entities for which the Company is not the sponsor or manager. These investments are predominantly asset-backed securities primarily collateralized by foreign bank obligations and mortgage-backed securities. The asset-backed securities largely represent fixed-rate debt securities issued by trusts that hold perpetual floating-rate subordinated notes issued by foreign banks. The mortgage-backed securities represent senior interests in pools of commercial or residential mortgages created and held by special-purpose entities to provide investors with diversified exposure to these assets. The Company owns senior securities issued by several entities and receives fixed-rate cash flows from the underlying assets in the pools. The Company is not the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate any of these entities because either: it had no power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance; or it had no right to receive benefits nor obligation to absorb losses that could be significant to these variable interest entities. The Company has not provided, and does not intend to provide, financial support to these entities. The Company performs ongoing qualitative analyses of its involvement with these variable interest entities to determine if consolidation is required. The Company's maximum potential exposure to loss related to these entities is limited to the carrying amount of its investment reported in fixed maturities and equity securities, and its aggregate ownership interest is insignificant relative to the total principal amount issued by these entities.

Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Derivative Financial Instruments Policies [Abstract]

Note 8 — Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative instruments associated with the Company's run-off reinsurance segment. The Company has written reinsurance contracts with issuers of variable annuity contracts that provide annuitants with certain guarantees of minimum income benefits resulting from the level of variable annuity account values compared with a contractually guaranteed amount (“GMIB liabilities”). The Company has purchased retrocessional coverage for a portion of these contracts (“GMIB assets”). Because cash flows are affected by equity markets and interest rates, but are without significant life insurance risk and are settled in lump sum payments, the Company reports these GMIB liabilities and assets as derivatives at fair value.

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company expanded its dynamic hedge program that substantially reduces equity market exposures associated with its GMDB business to include a portion of equity market exposures associated with its GMIB business (approximately one-quarter). The Company also implemented a dynamic hedge program to reduce the growth interest rate exposures for approximately one-third of its GMDB and one-quarter of its GMIB businesses (“GMDB and GMIB growth interest rate hedge program”). These hedge programs are dynamic because the Company will regularly rebalance the hedging instruments within established parameters as equity and interest rate exposures of these businesses change.

The Company manages these hedge programs using exchange-traded equity, foreign currency and interest rate futures contracts, and interest rate swap contracts. These contracts are generally expected to rise in value as equity markets and interest rates decline, and decline in value as equity markets and interest rates rise.

These hedge programs do not qualify for GAAP hedge accounting. Although these hedge programs effectively reduce equity market and interest rate exposures, changes in the fair values of the swap and futures contracts may not exactly offset changes in the portions of the GMDB and GMIB liabilities covered by these hedges, in part because the market does not offer contracts that exactly match the targeted exposure profile. The results of the swaps and futures contracts are included in other revenues and amounts reflecting corresponding changes in liabilities for GMDB contracts are included in benefits and expenses. Related changes in liabilities for GMIB contracts are reported in GMIB fair value (gain) loss.

See Notes 5 and 6 for further details regarding these businesses.

Derivative instruments used in the Company's investment risk management. Derivative financial instruments are also used by the Company as a part of its investment strategy to manage the characteristics of investment assets (such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity) to meet the varying demands of the related insurance and contractholder liabilities (such as paying claims, investment returns and withdrawals). Derivatives are typically used under this strategy to minimize interest rate and foreign currency risks. The Company routinely monitors exposure to credit risk associated with derivatives and diversifies the portfolio among approved dealers of high credit quality to minimize this risk.

Accounting for derivative instruments. The Company applies hedge accounting when derivatives are designated, qualify and are highly effective as hedges. Effectiveness is formally assessed and documented at inception and each period throughout the life of a hedge using various quantitative methods appropriate for each hedge, including regression analysis and dollar offset. Under hedge accounting, the changes in fair value of the derivative and the hedged risk are generally recognized together and offset each other when reported in shareholders' net income.

The Company accounts for derivative instruments as follows:

Derivatives are reported on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair values reported in shareholders' net income or accumulated other comprehensive income.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that hedge market risk related to future cash flows and that qualify for hedge accounting are reported in a separate caption in accumulated other comprehensive income. These hedges are referred to as cash flow hedges.
A change in the fair value of a derivative instrument may not always equal the change in the fair value of the hedged item; this difference is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness. Where hedge accounting is used, the Company reflects hedge ineffectiveness in shareholders' net income (generally as part of realized investment gains and losses).

Designated as accounting hedges - interest rate, FX and combinations policy

Using cash flow hedge accounting, fair values are reported in other long-term investments or other liabilities and accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into net investment income or reported in other realized investment gains and losses as interest or principal payments are received.

Designated as accounting hedges - treasury lock policy

Using cash flow hedge accounting, fair values are reported in other assets or other liabilities, with changes in fair value reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized to interest expense over the period of expected cash flows.

Not designated as accounting hedges - futures policy

Fair value changes are reported in other revenues. Amounts not yet settled from the previous day's fair value change (daily variation margin) are reported in other assets and other liabilities.

For interest rate futures, fair value changes are reported in other revenues. Amounts not yet settled from the previous day's fair value change (daily variation margin) are reported in other assets and other liabilities.

Not designated as accounting hedges - interest rate swaps policy

Fair values are reported in other long-term investments or other liabilities, with changes in fair value reported in other realized investment gains and losses.

For interest rate swaps, fair values are reported in other assets and other liabilities, with changes in fair value and interest income and interest expense reported in other revenues.

Not designated as accounting hedges - GMIB written and purchased options policy

Fair values are reported in other liabilities (GMIB liability) and other assets (GMIB asset). Changes in fair value are reported in GMIB fair value (gain)/loss.

Fair Value Measurements Policies [Abstract]

First section of Fair Value footnote

The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value in the financial statements including fixed maturities, equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives. Other financial instruments are measured at fair value under certain conditions, such as when impaired.

Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the balance sheet date. A liability's fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a market participant, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

Fair values are based on quoted market prices when available. When market prices are not available, fair value is generally estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating current market inputs for similar financial instruments with comparable terms and credit quality. In instances where there is little or no market activity for the same or similar instruments, the Company estimates fair value using methods, models and assumptions that the Company believes a hypothetical market participant would use to determine a current transaction price. These valuation techniques involve some level of estimation and judgment by the Company which becomes significant with increasingly complex instruments or pricing models.

The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified based upon a hierarchy defined by GAAP. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset's or a liability's classification is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a financial asset or liability carried at fair value would be classified in Level 3 if unobservable inputs were significant to the instrument's fair value, even though the measurement may be derived using inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3)

The Company performs ongoing analyses of prices used to value the Company's invested assets to determine that they represent appropriate estimates of fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis including reviews of pricing methodologies, judgments of valuation inputs, the significance of any unobservable inputs, pricing statistics and trends. The Company also performs sample testing of sales values to confirm the accuracy of prior fair value estimates.

Level 1 financial assets policy

Inputs for instruments classified in Level 1 include unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets accessible at the measurement date. Active markets provide pricing data for trades occurring at least weekly and include exchanges and dealer markets.

Assets in Level 1 include actively-traded U.S. government bonds and exchange-listed equity securities. Given the narrow definition of Level 1 and the Company's investment asset strategy to maximize investment returns, a relatively small portion of the Company's investment assets are classified in this category.

Level 2 financial assets and financial liabilities policy

Inputs for instruments classified in Level 2 include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are market observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such other inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads and yield curves. An instrument is classified in Level 2 if the Company determines that unobservable inputs are insignificant.

Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities policy

Certain inputs for instruments classified in Level 3 are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to their resulting fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date.

The Company classifies certain newly issued, privately placed, complex or illiquid securities, as well as assets and liabilities relating to GMIB, in Level 3.

Fair values of mortgage and asset-backed securities and corporate bonds are determined using pricing models that incorporate the specific characteristics of each asset and related assumptions including the investment type and structure, credit quality, industry and maturity date in comparison to current market indices, spreads and liquidity of assets with similar characteristics. For mortgage and asset-backed securities, inputs and assumptions to pricing may also include collateral attributes and prepayment speeds. Recent trades in the subject security or similar securities are assessed when available, and the Company may also review published research, as well as the issuer's financial statements, in its evaluation. Certain subordinated corporate bonds and private equity investments are valued at transaction price in the absence of market data indicating a change in the estimated fair values

Measurement of GMIB assets and liabilities policy

Guaranteed minimum income benefit contracts. Because cash flows of the GMIB liabilities and assets are affected by equity markets and interest rates but are without significant life insurance risk and are settled in lump sum payments, the Company reports these liabilities and assets as derivatives at fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of the assets and liabilities for GMIB contracts using assumptions regarding capital markets (including market returns, interest rates and market volatilities of the underlying equity and bond mutual fund investments), future annuitant behavior (including mortality, lapse, and annuity election rates), and non-performance risk, as well as risk and profit charges. As certain assumptions used to estimate fair values for these contracts are largely unobservable (primarily related to future annuitant behavior), the Company classifies GMIB assets and liabilities in Level 3. The Company considered the following in determining the view of a hypothetical market participant:

that the most likely transfer of these assets and liabilities would be through a reinsurance transaction with an independent insurer having a market capitalization and credit rating similar to that of the Company; and
that because this block of contracts is in run-off mode, an insurer looking to acquire these contracts would have similar existing contracts with related administrative and risk management capabilities.

These GMIB assets and liabilities are estimated with a complex internal model using many scenarios to determine the present value of net amounts expected to be paid, less the present value of net future premiums expected to be received adjusted for risk and profit charges that the Company estimates a hypothetical market participant would require to assume this business. Net amounts expected to be paid include the excess of the expected value of the income benefits over the values of the annuitants' accounts at the time of annuitization. Generally, market return, interest rate and volatility assumptions are based on market observable information. Assumptions related to annuitant behavior reflect the Company's belief that a hypothetical market participant would consider the actual and expected experience of the Company as well as other relevant and available industry resources in setting policyholder behavior assumptions.

The Company regularly evaluates each of the assumptions used in establishing these assets and liabilities by considering how a hypothetical market participant would set assumptions at each valuation date. Capital markets assumptions are expected to change at each valuation date reflecting currently observable market conditions. Other assumptions may also change based on a hypothetical market participant's view of actual experience as it emerges over time or other factors that impact the net liability. If the emergence of future experience or future assumptions differs from the assumptions used in estimating these assets and liabilities, the resulting impact could be material to the Company's consolidated results of operations, and in certain situations, could be material to the Company's financial condition.

GMIB liabilities are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. GMIB assets associated with these contracts represent net receivables in connection with reinsurance that the Company has purchased from two external reinsurers and are reported in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets in Other assets, including other intangibles.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value under certain conditions policy

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value under Certain Conditions

Some financial assets and liabilities are not carried at fair value each reporting period, but may be measured using fair value only under certain conditions, such as investments in commercial mortgage loans and real estate entities when they become impaired. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, impaired commercial mortgage loans representing less than 1% of total investments were written down to their fair values, resulting in after-tax realized investment losses of $11 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, impaired commercial mortgage loans and real estate entities representing less than 1% of total investments were written down to their fair values, resulting in after-tax realized investment losses of $20 million.

During 2010, impaired commercial mortgage loans and real estate entities representing less than 1% of total investments were written down to their fair values, resulting in after-tax realized investment losses of $25 million.

These fair values were calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows at estimated market interest rates. Such market rates were derived by calculating the appropriate spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, based on the characteristics of the underlying collateral, including the type, quality and location of the assets. The fair value measurements were classified in Level 3 because these cash flow models incorporate significant unobservable inputs.

Commercial mortgage loans policy

Commercial mortgage loans. The Company estimates the fair value of commercial mortgage loans generally by discounting the contractual cash flows at estimated market interest rates that reflect the Company's assessment of the credit quality of the loans. Market interest rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spread over comparable U.S. Treasury rates, based on the property type, quality rating and average life of the loan. The quality ratings reflect the relative risk of the loan, considering debt service coverage, the loan-to-value ratio and other factors. Fair values of impaired mortgage loans are based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral generally determined using an internal discounted cash flow model.

Contractholder deposit funds, excluding universal life products policy

Contractholder deposit funds, excluding universal life products. Generally, these funds do not have stated maturities. Approximately 50% of these balances can be withdrawn by the customer at any time without prior notice or penalty. The fair value for these contracts is the amount estimated to be payable to the customer as of the reporting date, which is generally the carrying value. Most of the remaining contractholder deposit funds are reinsured by the buyers of the individual life and annuity and retirement benefits businesses. The fair value for these contracts is determined using the fair value of these buyers' assets supporting these reinsured contracts. The Company had a reinsurance recoverable equal to the carrying value of these reinsured contracts.

Long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding capital leases policy

Long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding capital leases. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for recent trades. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis and the Company's estimated current borrowing rate for debt of similar terms and remaining maturities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Deferred Acquisition Costs Policy

Deferred acquisition costs. In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended guidance (ASU 2010-26) for the accounting of costs related to the acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts to require costs such as certain sales compensation or telemarketing costs that are related to unsuccessful efforts and any indirect costs to be expensed as incurred. This new guidance must be implemented on January 1, 2012 and any changes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements may be recognized prospectively for acquisition costs incurred beginning in 2012 or through retrospective adjustment of comparative prior periods. The Company's deferred acquisition costs arise from sales and renewal activities primarily in its International segment and, to a lesser extent, the Health Care and corporate-owned life insurance businesses. Because the new requirements further restrict the types of costs that are deferrable, the Company expects more of its acquisition costs to be expensed when incurred under the new guidance. The Company continues to evaluate these new requirements to determine the method and estimated effects of their implementation.

Fair value policy

Fair value measurements. In May 2011, the FASB amended guidance (ASU 2011-04) to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments are effective January 1, 2012 and are to be applied prospectively. The Company is presently evaluating the new requirements to determine the potential effects of their implementation.

Troubled Debt Restructurings Policy

Troubled debt restructurings. In April 2011, the FASB amended guidance (ASU 2011-02) to clarify for lenders that a troubled debt restructuring occurs when a debt modification is a concession to the borrower and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments are effective July 1, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively to loan restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. The amendment also requires new disclosures to be provided in the third quarter 2011 addressing certain troubled debt restructurings. On adoption, the Company does not expect a material effect to its results of operations or financial condition.

Variable Interest Entities Policies [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities general policy

When the Company becomes involved with a variable interest entity and when the nature of the Company's involvement with the entity changes, in order to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary and must consolidate the entity, it evaluates:

the structure and purpose of the entity;
the risks and rewards created by and shared through the entity; and
the entity's participants' ability to direct the activities, receive its benefits and absorb its losses. Participants include the entity's sponsors, equity holders, guarantors, creditors and servicers.

In the normal course of its investing activities, the Company makes passive investments in securities that are issued by variable interest entities for which the Company is not the sponsor or manager. These investments are predominantly asset-backed securities primarily collateralized by foreign bank obligations and mortgage-backed securities. The asset-backed securities largely represent fixed-rate debt securities issued by trusts that hold perpetual floating-rate subordinated notes issued by foreign banks. The mortgage-backed securities represent senior interests in pools of commercial or residential mortgages created and held by special-purpose entities to provide investors with diversified exposure to these assets. The Company owns senior securities issued by several entities and receives fixed-rate cash flows from the underlying assets in the pools. The Company is not the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate any of these entities because either:

it had no power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance; or
it had no right to receive benefits nor obligation to absorb losses that could be significant to these variable interest entities.

The Company has not provided, and does not intend to provide, financial support to these entities. The Company performs ongoing qualitative analyses of its involvement with these variable interest entities to determine if consolidation is required. The Company's maximum potential exposure to loss related to these entities is limited to the carrying amount of its investment reported in fixed maturities and equity securities, and its aggregate ownership interest is insignificant relative to the total principal amount issued by these entities.