Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of segment operating results
Net realized gains (losses)									$ 7		$ 7		$ 6
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	2,946	2,813	2,749	2,691	2,674	2,468	2,514	2,561	11,199		10,217		10,192
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									2,019		1,695		1,704
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	84	67	(40)	30	(57)	(22)	(53)	4	141		(128)		(106)
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net									(170)		(265)		(62)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net									(13)
Integration and restructuring charges									(14)		(71)		(95)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	479	602	402	487	418	199	299	322	1,970		1,238		1,447
Operating Segments
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									10,857		10,143		10,050
Net realized gains (losses)									7		7		6
Revenues of CIEs									345		71		136
Market impact on IUL benefits, net									(10)
Business Combination Integration and Restructuring Related Costs									0		(4)		0
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations									11,199		10,217		10,192
Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									4,295		3,873		3,713
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									598		443		406
Advice and Wealth Management | Consolidation, Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									980		901		930
Asset Management
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									3,169		2,891		2,897
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									715		557		528
Asset Management | Consolidation, Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									39		43		42
Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									2,583		2,524		2,630
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									686		567		625
Annuities | Consolidation, Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									307		271		251
Protection
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									2,190		2,088		2,069
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									365		398		386
Protection | Consolidation, Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									40		37		37
Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									(11)		20		3
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings									(345)		(270)		(241)
Corporate and Other | Consolidation, Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									3		1		2
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues									$ (1,369)	[1]	$ (1,253)	[1]	$ (1,262)	[1]

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($980, $901 and $930, respectively); Asset Management ($39, $43 and $42, respectively); Annuities ($307, $271 and $251, respectively); Protection ($40, $37 and $37, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($3, $1 and $2, respectively).