Reinsurance (Ceded and recovered amounts) (Details 4) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance ceded offset with other revenues	$ 94,000,000amp_ReinsuranceCededOffsetOtherRevenues	$ 87,000,000amp_ReinsuranceCededOffsetOtherRevenues	$ 79,000,000amp_ReinsuranceCededOffsetOtherRevenues
Reinsurance recovered from reinsurers	260,000,000	229,000,000	201,000,000
Reinsurance recoverables	2,300,000,000us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables	2,200,000,000us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables
Future policy benefits and claims for assumed reinsurance arrangements	575,000,000	597,000,000
LTC [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable related to LTC risk ceded to Genworth	$ 1,800,000,000	$ 1,700,000,000

Represents the amount of reinsurance ceded that offsets cost of insurance and administrative charges in other revenues.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Liability as of the balance sheet date for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims and claim adjustment expense relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date for those liabilities owed to another party as a result of assuming another insurer's primary obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of reduction of provision for policy benefits and costs incurred for policies ceded.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6811-158387

+ Details

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- Definition

The sum for all reinsurance arrangements of the known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from a given reinsurer for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer and associated claims settlement expenses for each reinsurance arrangement (or, the sum of all cases determined individually, probably applying different assumptions to each arrangement).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 310

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485522&loc=d3e21412-158489

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 310

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485522&loc=d3e21409-158489

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 6

-Article 7

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- Definition

Amount after valuation allowance recoverable including premium paid under reinsurance contracts. Examples include, but are not limited to, settled and unsettled claims, incurred but not reported losses, loss adjustment expense, premium paid, policy benefits and policy reserves.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 6

-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6824-158387

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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