Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
GMDB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	$ 63,964	$ 61,106
Contract value in separate accounts	59,197	56,320
Net amount at risk	709	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	42,890	40,011
Contract value in separate accounts	41,149	38,275
Net amount at risk	165	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	11,406	11,631
Contract value in separate accounts	8,901	9,118
Net amount at risk	205	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	7,297	7,233
Contract value in separate accounts	6,855	6,777
Net amount at risk	250	479
Weighted average attained age	64 years	64 years
GMDB | Five-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	1,541	1,472
Contract value in separate accounts	1,489	1,418
Net amount at risk	11	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	830	759
Contract value in separate accounts	803	732
Net amount at risk	78	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	937	920
Contract value in separate accounts	885	868
Net amount at risk	82	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	441	463
Contract value in separate accounts	412	433
Net amount at risk	89	106
Weighted average attained age	65 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	30,167	27,643
Contract value in separate accounts	30,019	27,493
Net amount at risk	635	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
Total contract value	3,886	3,887
Contract value in separate accounts	3,867	3,868
Net amount at risk	108	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	26,281	23,756
Contract value in separate accounts	26,152	23,625
Net amount at risk	527	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
Total contract value	3,614	3,516
Contract value in separate accounts	3,609	3,509
Net amount at risk	$ 22	$ 63
Weighted average attained age	57 years	56 years