Investments (OTTI rollforward) (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Rollforward of the cumulative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses on securities
Beginning balance	$ 69	$ 85	$ 98
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	0	1
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	1	1	2
Reductions for securities sold during the period (realized)	(68)	(18)	(15)
Ending balance	$ 2	$ 69	$ 85

This item represents an increase to the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security held for which a previous OTTI was recognized and the investor does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that the investor will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

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- Definition

This item represents an increase to the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security held for which no such other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was previously recognized.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings related to debt securities held for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=SL6284393-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8B
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=SL6284393-111563

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- Definition

This item represents reductions in the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security because of the sale of impaired securities during the period.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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