XML 49 R97.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Non Variable Interest Entities [Line Items]      
Federal statutory rate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Net deferred tax asset $ 1,009,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet $ 1,109,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet  
Non U.S. deferred tax liability 18,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities    
Valuation allowance 0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance 93,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance  
Increase in net income (loss)     60,000,000mbi_IncreaseDecreaseInNetIncomeLoss
NOL carryforward 3,200,000,000us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards    
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward $ 22,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax $ 22,000,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwardsAlternativeMinimumTax