Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Premiums, fees and reimbursements received	$ 185	$ 281	$ 397
Investment income received	426	594	898
Insured derivative commutations and losses paid	(458)	(464)	(2,476)
Financial guarantee losses and loss adjustment expenses paid	(443)	(895)	(1,029)
Proceeds from recoveries and reinsurance	2,621	263	300
Operating and employee related 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
Proceeds from paydowns on variable interest entity loans	275	276	291
Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments	28	1,014	196
Sale (purchase) of short-term investments, net	(483)	1,012	680
Sale (purchase) of other investments, net	5	114	73
Consolidation (deconsolidation) of variable interest entities, net	(26)	(51)	(432)
(Payments) proceeds for derivative settlements	(54)	(288)	(373)
Collateral (to) from swap counterparty	122	(285)	0
Capital expenditures	(3)	(7)	(5)
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)
Proceeds from medium-term notes	0	0	0
Principal paydowns of medium-term notes	(197)	(102)	(137)
Principal paydowns of variable interest entity notes	(1,112)	(1,229)	(1,100)
Payments for securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	(287)	(184)
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	105
Payments for retirement of debt	(3)	(540)	(65)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	(50)
Change in noncontrolling interest and redemption of subsidiary preferred stock, net	0	(2)	9
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]
Premiums receivable	176	152	209
Deferred acquisition costs	43	49	61
Unearned premium revenue	(506)	(600)	(624)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	(216)	17	(293)
Insurance loss recoverable	3,637	(602)	(514)
Accrued interest payable	106	(3)	(11)
Accrued expenses	43	(23)	16
Current income taxes	8	(5)	86
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	105	101
Unrealized (gains) losses on insured derivatives	(1,777)	(1,870)	441
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)
Interest on variable interest entities, net	90	140	253
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)