Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Summary of segment operating results
Revenues of CIEs	$ 177		$ 82
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	2
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	544		460
Net realized gains (losses)	5		1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	115		30
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net	(15)		(2)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	1
Restructuring			(2)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	650		487
Net Revenues	2,996		2,691
Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	1,149		1,018
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	181		130
Asset Management Segment [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	807		746
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	183		138
Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	636		624
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	176		142
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	555		537
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	59		103
Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	6		4
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(55)		(53)
Eliminations:
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	(341)	[1]	(321)	[1]
Operating Segments [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	2,812		2,608
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Net Revenues	2,996		2,691
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	240		228
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management Segment [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	11		9
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	80		73
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	10		10
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Segment Reporting Information Net Revenues	$ 0		$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($240 and $228, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $9, respectively); Annuities ($80 and $73, respectively); Protection ($10 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).