Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
GMDB and GGU
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Guaranteed Benefit Liability, Gross
Liability balance, at the beginning of the period	$ 5	$ 6	$ 55
Incurred claims	10	17	12
Paid claims	(10)	(18)	(61)
Liability balance, at the end of the period	5	5	6
GMIB
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Guaranteed Benefit Liability, Gross
Liability balance, at the beginning of the period	8	6	12
Incurred claims	2	3	(5)
Paid claims	(1)	(1)	(1)
Liability balance, at the end of the period	9	8	6
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB")
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Guaranteed Benefit Liability, Gross
Liability balance, at the beginning of the period	337	204	1,471
Incurred claims	1,040	133	(1,267)
Liability balance, at the end of the period	1,377	337	204
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits ("GMAB")
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Guaranteed Benefit Liability, Gross
Liability balance, at the beginning of the period	104	100	367
Incurred claims	133	4	(267)
Liability balance, at the end of the period	237	104	100
UL
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Guaranteed Benefit Liability, Gross
Liability balance, at the beginning of the period	68	15	7
Incurred claims	53	59	8
Paid claims	(10)	(6)
Liability balance, at the end of the period	$ 111	$ 68	$ 15