Schedule II (Condensed Statements Of Operations) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	$ 63	$ 78	$ 69
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	(13)	(15)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt	(1)	3	60
Other net realized gains (losses)	17	28	(29)
Total revenues	853	1,270	1,209
Interest	199	210	236
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	109	72	166
Net income (loss)	180	569	250
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net investment income	35	44	50
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	59	24	11
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	(3)	0	0
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)	0	0
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	(4)	0	0
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt	0	1	43
Other net realized gains (losses)	21	1	0
Total revenues	111	70	104
Operating	24	25	69
Interest	95	104	105
Total expenses	119	129	174
Gain (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(8)	(59)	(70)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1	(165)	(202)
Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(9)	106	132
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries	189	463	118
Net income (loss)	$ 180	$ 569	$ 250