Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Premiums, fees and reimbursements received	$ 143	$ 223
Investment income received	326	459
Insured derivative commutations and losses paid	(453)	(463)
Financial guarantee losses and loss adjustment expenses paid	(382)	(620)
Proceeds from recoveries and reinsurance	1,797	131
Operating and employee related expenses paid	(227)	(300)
Interest paid, net of interest converted to principal	(170)	(377)
Income taxes (paid) received	(1)	(8)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	1,033	(955)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed-maturity securities	(2,704)	(2,032)
Sale and redemption of fixed-maturity securities	3,444	4,283
Proceeds from paydowns on variable interest entity loans	211	203
Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments	20	828
Sale (purchase) of short-term investments, net	(665)	335
Sale (purchase) of other investments, net	5	109
Consolidation (deconsolidation) of variable interest entities, net	(26)	(51)
(Payments) proceeds for derivative settlements	(51)	(266)
Collateral (to) from swap counterparty	65	(298)
Capital expenditures	(2)	(5)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	297	3,106
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from investment agreements	25	52
Principal paydowns of investment agreements	(218)	(629)
Proceeds from medium-term notes	0	18
Principal paydowns of medium-term notes	(77)	(74)
Principal paydowns of variable interest entity notes	(1,001)	(1,059)
Payments for securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	(287)
Proceeds from secured loan	50	0
Payments for retirement of debt	(3)	(364)
Change in noncontrolling interest and redemption of subsidiary preferred stock, net	0	(1)
Restricted stock awards settlements, net	0	1
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(1,224)	(2,343)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	7	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	113	(192)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	990	633
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	1,103	441
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	118	598
Change in: [Abstract]
Premiums receivable	138	98
Deferred acquisition costs	32	35
Unearned premium revenue	(392)	(443)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	(169)	109
Insurance loss recoverable	2,802	(270)
Accrued interest payable	82	0
Accrued expenses	54	(40)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	105
Unrealized (gains) losses on insured derivatives	(1,562)	(1,473)
Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	(190)	35
Other net realized (gains) losses	28	(7)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	2	163
(Gains) losses on extinguishment of debt	(49)	(49)
Interest on variable interest entities, net	65	114
Other operating	74	70
Total adjustments to net income (loss)	915	(1,553)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$ 1,033	$ (955)