Schedule II (Condensed Statements Of Operations) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	$ 69	$ 55	$ (99)
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	(105)	(101)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt	60	0	26
Other net realized gains (losses)	(29)	7	(1)
Total revenues	1,209	2,435	(1,557)
Interest	236	284	300
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	166	364	(920)
Net income (loss)	250	1,234	(1,319)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net investment income	50	60	90
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	11	(119)	(278)
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	(52)	(20)
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	(7)	(13)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	(59)	(33)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt	43	(2)	0
Other net realized gains (losses)	0	6	(17)
Total revenues	104	(114)	(238)
Operating	69	40	29
Interest	105	155	162
Total expenses	174	195	191
Gain (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(70)	(309)	(429)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(202)	(781)	(286)
Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	132	472	(143)
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries	118	762	(1,233)
Net income (loss)	$ 250	$ 1,234	$ (1,376)