Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
GMDB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	$ 63,888	$ 61,290
Contract value in separate accounts	59,196	56,486
Net amount at risk	560	841
Weighted average attained age (in years)	62	62
GMDB | Return of premium
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	40,591	37,714
Contract value in separate accounts	38,931	36,028
Net amount at risk	105	173
Weighted average attained age (in years)	62	62
GMDB | Five/six-year reset
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	13,186	13,689
Contract value in separate accounts	10,696	11,153
Net amount at risk	211	312
Weighted average attained age (in years)	62	62
GMDB | One-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	7,821	7,741
Contract value in separate accounts	7,358	7,242
Net amount at risk	184	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	1,542	1,466
Contract value in separate accounts	1,490	1,414
Net amount at risk	6	8
Weighted average attained age (in years)	60	60
GMDB | Other:
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	748	680
Contract value in separate accounts	721	649
Net amount at risk	54	61
Weighted average attained age (in years)	67	67
GGU death benefit
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	992	970
Contract value in separate accounts	936	912
Net amount at risk	84	79
Weighted average attained age (in years)	62	64
GMIB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	549	597
Contract value in separate accounts	517	561
Net amount at risk	66	76
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	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	27,283	24,715
Contract value in separate accounts	27,162	24,576
Net amount at risk	145	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
Total contract value	4,284	4,341
Contract value in separate accounts	4,263	4,317
Net amount at risk	62	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	22,999	20,374
Contract value in separate accounts	22,899	20,259
Net amount at risk	83	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
Total contract value	3,707	3,540
Contract value in separate accounts	3,700	3,523
Net amount at risk	$ 10	$ 22
Weighted average attained age (in years)	56	56
The number of guaranteed benefits included in most of the variable annuity contracts issued by the Company	One or more