Schedule II - Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Investment income received	$ 426	$ 594	$ 898
Operating expenses paid	(277)	(400)	(312)
Interest paid, net of interest converted to principal	(224)	(400)	(479)
Income taxes (paid) received	(1)	(6)	74
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	1,829	(1,027)	(2,627)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed-maturity securities	(3,849)	(4,463)	(7,744)
Sale and redemption of fixed-maturity securities	3,979	6,873	11,321
Sale (purchase) of short-term investments, net	(483)	1,012	680
Sale (purchase) of other investments, net	5	114	73
(Payments) proceeds for derivative settlements	(54)	(288)	(373)
Collateral (to) from swap counterparty	122	(285)	0
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(6)	4,195	4,007
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from investment agreements	31	36	71
Principal paydowns of investment agreements	(285)	(688)	(524)
Payments for securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	(287)	(184)
Payments for retirement of debt	(3)	(540)	(65)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	(50)
Restricted stock awards settlements, net	0	1	(2)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(1,566)	(2,811)	(1,877)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	11	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	268	357	(497)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	990	633	1,130
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year	1,258	990	633
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	250	1,234	(1,319)
Change in: [Abstract]
Current income taxes	8	(5)	86
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	105	101
Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	(244)	(73)	40
Other net realized (gains) losses	28	(7)	(262)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	157	365	(935)
(Gains) losses on extinguishment of debt	(61)	(49)	(26)
Other operating	95	143	150
Total adjustments to net income (loss)	1,579	(2,261)	(1,308)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	1,829	(1,027)	(2,627)
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Fees and reimbursements received	0	5	31
Investment income received	250	118	89
Operating expenses paid	(35)	(43)	(30)
Interest paid, net of interest converted to principal	(93)	(101)	(107)
Income taxes (paid) received	111	224	353
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	233	203	336
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed-maturity securities	(1,481)	(1,017)	(3,737)
Sale and redemption of fixed-maturity securities	1,604	2,370	4,651
Sale (purchase) of short-term investments, net	64	375	251
Sale (purchase) of other investments, net	1	107	81
(Payments) proceeds for derivative settlements	(32)	(207)	(85)
Collateral (to) from swap counterparty	122	(285)	0
Contributions to subsidiaries, net	2	(12)	0
Advances to subsidiaries, net	0	1	(19)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	280	1,332	1,142
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from investment agreements	25	31	65
Principal paydowns of investment agreements	(274)	(679)	(500)
Payments for securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(32)	(639)	(835)
Payments for retirement of debt	(3)	(180)	(70)
Payments for affiliate loans	(194)	(109)	(37)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	(50)
Restricted stock awards settlements, net	13	1	(2)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(465)	(1,575)	(1,429)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	48	(40)	49
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	92	132	83
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year	140	92	132
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	250	1,234	(1,376)
Change in: [Abstract]
Intercompany accounts receivable	(14)	(9)	(10)
Current income taxes	116	57	124
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(118)	(762)	1,233
Dividends from subsidiaries	219	60	46
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	59	33
Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	(11)	119	278
Other net realized (gains) losses	0	(6)	17
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	(207)	(613)	(85)
(Gains) losses on extinguishment of debt	(43)	2	0
Other operating	41	62	76
Total adjustments to net income (loss)	(17)	(1,031)	1,712
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$ 233	$ 203	$ 336