Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 provision Y anniversary	Dec. 31, 2010 Y
GMDB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Number of primary GMDB provisions	3
Time period for which the value resets to the account value for the reset GMDB provision	6
Total contract value	$ 61,106	$ 61,290
Contract value in separate accounts	56,320	56,486
Net amount at risk	1,329	841
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	62
GMDB | Return of premium
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	40,011	37,714
Contract value in separate accounts	38,275	36,028
Net amount at risk	382	173
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	62
GMDB | Five/six-year reset
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	11,631	13,689
Contract value in separate accounts	9,118	11,153
Net amount at risk	350	312
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	62
GMDB | One-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	7,233	7,741
Contract value in separate accounts	6,777	7,242
Net amount at risk	479	287
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	63
GMDB | Five-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	1,472	1,466
Contract value in separate accounts	1,418	1,414
Net amount at risk	25	8
Weighted average attained age (in years)	61	60
GMDB | Other:
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	759	680
Contract value in separate accounts	732	649
Net amount at risk	93	61
Weighted average attained age (in years)	68	67
GGU death benefit
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	920	970
Contract value in separate accounts	868	912
Net amount at risk	78	79
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	64
GMIB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	463	597
Contract value in separate accounts	433	561
Net amount at risk	106	76
Weighted average attained age (in years)	65	64
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB")
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	27,643	24,715
Contract value in separate accounts	27,493	24,576
Net amount at risk	1,099	235
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	63
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB") | GMWB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
GMWB asset allocation models available subsequent to withdrawal.	3
GMWB asset allocation models available prior to withdrawal	5
Total contract value	3,887	4,341
Contract value in separate accounts	3,868	4,317
Net amount at risk	236	106
Weighted average attained age (in years)	65	64
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB") | GMWB for life
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	23,756	20,374
Contract value in separate accounts	23,625	20,259
Net amount at risk	863	129
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	63
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits ("GMAB")
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Maximum age of variable annuity contractholders for the option of obtaining principal-back guarantee (in years)	79
GMAB rider guarantees waiting period (in years)	10
Percentage of highest anniversary value guarantee at end of waiting period	80.00%
Total contract value	3,516	3,540
Contract value in separate accounts	3,509	3,523
Net amount at risk	$ 63	$ 22
Weighted average attained age (in years)	56	56