Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum amount of future guarantee payments	$ 92,700,000,000
Derivatives ceded under reinsurance agreements and capital market transactions	177,000,000
Fair value of derivative assets before counterparty netting	815,000,000		769,000,000	[1]
Derivative assets after counterparty netting	724,000,000		708,000,000
Fair value of derivative liabilities before counterparty netting			6,798,000,000	[1]
Derivative assets and derivative assets - VIEs after counterparty netting and embedded reclasses	715,000,000		703,000,000
Derivative liabilities after counterparty netting	7,200,000,000		6,700,000,000
Fair value of securities posted to derivative counterparties	496,000,000		452,000,000
Fair value of Credit Support Annexes	2,000,000		4,000,000
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liabilities before counterparty netting	$ 7,272,000,000	[1]

[1] In accordance with the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, the balance sheet location of the Company's embedded derivative instruments is determined by the location of the related host contract.