Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Y
GMDB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	$ 65,674	$ 61,106
Contract value in separate accounts	60,887	56,320
Net amount at risk	458	1,329
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	63
GMDB | Return of premium
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	43,586	40,011
Contract value in separate accounts	41,831	38,275
Net amount at risk	86	382
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	63
GMDB | Five/six-year reset
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	12,046	11,631
Contract value in separate accounts	9,541	9,118
Net amount at risk	161	350
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	63
GMDB | One-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	7,628	7,233
Contract value in separate accounts	7,179	6,777
Net amount at risk	148	479
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	64
GMDB | Five-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	1,581	1,472
Contract value in separate accounts	1,529	1,418
Net amount at risk	5	25
Weighted average attained age (in years)	61	61
GMDB | Other:
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	833	759
Contract value in separate accounts	807	732
Net amount at risk	58	93
Weighted average attained age (in years)	68	68
GGU death benefit
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	977	920
Contract value in separate accounts	925	868
Net amount at risk	87	78
Weighted average attained age (in years)	63	63
GMIB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	479	463
Contract value in separate accounts	450	433
Net amount at risk	71	106
Weighted average attained age (in years)	65	65
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB")
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	30,441	27,643
Contract value in separate accounts	30,278	27,493
Net amount at risk	188	1,099
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	64
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	4,097	3,887
Contract value in separate accounts	4,078	3,868
Net amount at risk	45	236
Weighted average attained age (in years)	65	65
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	26,344	23,756
Contract value in separate accounts	26,200	23,625
Net amount at risk	143	863
Weighted average attained age (in years)	64	64
Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits ("GMAB")
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	3,784	3,516
Contract value in separate accounts	3,774	3,509
Net amount at risk	$ 7	$ 63
Weighted average attained age (in years)	57	56