Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Net realized gains	$ 4		$ 6		$ 10		$ 7
Revenues attributable to CIEs	206		114		543		208
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	2		(2)				(3)
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	3,111		2,813		9,179		8,253
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	554		552		1,677		1,500
Net realized gains	4		6		10		7
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	145		67		353		57
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	9		(21)		(60)		(66)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	8		(2)		9		(4)
Restructuring charges							(3)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision per consolidated statement of operations	720		602		1,989		1,491
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	1,210		1,074		3,557		3,168
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	205		152		580		432
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	839		777		2,490		2,345
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	208		172		590		504
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	655		649		1,942		1,908
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	128		205		474		457
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	553		535		1,687		1,622
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	66		68		216		262
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(1)		1		3		8
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(53)		(45)		(183)		(155)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(357)	[1]	(341)	[1]	(1,053)	[2]	(1,010)	[2]
Operating Segments [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	2,899		2,695		8,626		8,041
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	3,111		2,813		9,179		8,253
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	250		243		740		723
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	11		10		33		29
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	85		77		248		226
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	11		10		31		30
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 0		$ 1		$ 1		$ 2

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($250 and $243, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $10, respectively); Annuities ($85 and $77, respectively); Protection ($11 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($740 and $723, respectively); Asset Management ($33 and $29, respectively); Annuities ($248 and $226, respectively); Protection ($31 and $30, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and $2, respectively).