Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 provision anniversary	Dec. 31, 2011
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	$ 66,825	$ 61,106
Contract value in separate accounts	62,045	56,320
Net amount at risk	347	1,329
Weighted average attained age	63 years	63 years
GMDB | Return of premium
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	45,697	40,011
Contract value in separate accounts	43,942	38,275
Net amount at risk	61	382
Weighted average attained age	63 years	63 years
GMDB | Five/six-year reset
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	11,233	11,631
Contract value in separate accounts	8,722	9,118
Net amount at risk	115	350
Weighted average attained age	63 years	63 years
GMDB | One-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	7,367	7,233
Contract value in separate accounts	6,933	6,777
Net amount at risk	106	479
Weighted average attained age	65 years	64 years
GMDB | Five-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	1,616	1,472
Contract value in separate accounts	1,563	1,418
Net amount at risk	3	25
Weighted average attained age	61 years	61 years
GMDB | Other:
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	912	759
Contract value in separate accounts	885	732
Net amount at risk	62	93
Weighted average attained age	68 years	68 years
GGU death benefit
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	958	920
Contract value in separate accounts	907	868
Net amount at risk	93	78
Weighted average attained age	63 years	63 years
GMIB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	425	463
Contract value in separate accounts	399	433
Net amount at risk	72	106
Weighted average attained age	66 years	65 years
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB")
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	32,486	27,643
Contract value in separate accounts	32,342	27,493
Net amount at risk	297	1,099
Weighted average attained age	64 years	64 years
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
Total contract value	3,898	3,887
Contract value in separate accounts	3,880	3,868
Net amount at risk	34	236
Weighted average attained age	66 years	65 years
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	28,588	23,756
Contract value in separate accounts	28,462	23,625
Net amount at risk	263	863
Weighted average attained age	64 years	64 years
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	79 years
GMAB rider guarantees waiting period	10 years
Percentage of highest anniversary value guarantee at end of waiting period	80.00%
Total contract value	3,773	3,516
Contract value in separate accounts	3,762	3,509
Net amount at risk	$ 5	$ 63
Weighted average attained age	57 years	56 years