CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues [Abstract]
Net investment income	$ 1,596	$ 1,509	$ 1,576
Premiums	1,426	1,394	1,491
Other revenues	1,249	1,105	1,189
Total revenues	12,924	12,180	11,839
Banking and deposit interest expense	89	48	39
Total net revenues	12,835	12,132	11,800
Expenses
Distribution expenses	3,637	3,397	3,200
Interest credited to fixed accounts	674	656	623
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	2,302	2,233	2,646
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	322	267	415
Interest and debt expense	245	207	241
General and administrative expense	3,171	3,158	3,084
Total expenses	10,351	9,918	10,209
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	2,484	2,214	1,591
Income tax provision	386	734	278
Net income	$ 2,098	$ 1,480	$ 1,313
Earnings Per Share, Basic:
Net income (in dollars per basic share)	$ 14.41	$ 9.60	$ 7.90
Earnings Per Share, Diluted:
Net income (in dollars per diluted share)	$ 14.20	$ 9.44	$ 7.81
Other-than-temporary Impairment Loss, Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	$ 0	$ (1)	$ (2)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes)	0	0	1
Net impairment losses recognized in net investment income	0	(1)	(1)
Management and financial advice fees [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	6,776	6,415	5,802
Distribution fees [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 1,877	$ 1,757	$ 1,781