Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	$ 2,695		$ 2,517		$ 8,041		$ 7,546
Revenues of CIEs	114		27		208		80
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	(2)				(3)
Business Combination Integration and Restructuring Related Costs			(8)				(8)
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	2,813		2,468		8,253		7,543
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	552		397		1,500		1,252
Net realized gains (losses)	6		(68)		7		(75)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	67		(22)		57		(71)
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net	(21)		(91)		(66)		(220)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	(2)				(4)
Integration and restructuring charges			(17)		(3)		(66)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	602		199		1,491		820
Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	1,074		961		3,168		2,868
Intersegment revenue	243		219		723		666
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	153		119		436		324
Asset Management
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	777		733		2,345		2,151
Intersegment revenue	10		10		29		32
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	178		155		521		416
Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	654		632		1,925		1,888
Intersegment revenue	77		71		226		200
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	219		91		499		396
Protection
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	536		496		1,625		1,546
Intersegment revenue	10		10		30		28
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	75		89		283		305
Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	(5)		5		(12)		20
Intersegment revenue	1		0		2		1
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(73)		(57)		(239)		(189)
Eliminations:
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	$ (341)	[1],[2]	$ (310)	[1],[2]	$ (1,010)	[1],[2]	$ (927)	[1],[2]

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($723 and $666, respectively); Asset Management ($29 and $32, respectively); Annuities ($226 and $200, respectively); Protection ($30 and $28, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($2 and $1, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($243 and $219, respectively); Asset Management ($10 and $10, respectively); Annuities ($77 and $71, respectively); Protection ($10 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and nil, respectively).