Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
GMDB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	$ 66,261	$ 61,106
Contract value in separate accounts	61,484	56,320
Net amount at risk	403	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	44,851	40,011
Contract value in separate accounts	43,105	38,275
Net amount at risk	73	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	11,489	11,631
Contract value in separate accounts	8,976	9,118
Net amount at risk	135	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	7,440	7,233
Contract value in separate accounts	7,002	6,777
Net amount at risk	128	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	1,600	1,472
Contract value in separate accounts	1,547	1,418
Net amount at risk	4	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	881	759
Contract value in separate accounts	854	732
Net amount at risk	63	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	962	920
Contract value in separate accounts	911	868
Net amount at risk	92	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	439	463
Contract value in separate accounts	412	433
Net amount at risk	73	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	31,730	27,643
Contract value in separate accounts	31,592	27,493
Net amount at risk	275	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	3,955	3,887
Contract value in separate accounts	3,937	3,868
Net amount at risk	42	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	27,775	23,756
Contract value in separate accounts	27,655	23,625
Net amount at risk	233	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	3,732	3,516
Contract value in separate accounts	3,724	3,509
Net amount at risk	$ 6	$ 63
Weighted average attained age	57 years	56 years