Schedule II (Condensed Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt	$ 26	$ 60	$ 269
Total revenues	(1,557)	894	2,954
Total expenses	682	989	1,737
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(920)	(148)	583
Net income (loss)	(1,319)	53	634
Parent Company [Member]
Net investment income	90	122	220
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	(278)	(117)	102
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	(20)	(206)	(524)
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13)	147	173
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	(33)	(59)	(351)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		(1)	(66)
Other net realized gains (losses)	(17)	1	4
Total revenues	(238)	(54)	(91)
Operating	29	31	30
Interest	162	200	61
Total expenses	191	231	91
Gain (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(429)	(285)	(182)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(286)	(183)	92
Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(143)	(102)	(274)
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries	(1,233)	99	892
Net income (loss)	$ (1,376)	$ (3)	$ 618