Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
GMDB
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	$ 69,642	$ 66,825
Contract value in separate accounts	64,868	62,045
Net amount at risk	230	347
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	48,049	45,697
Contract value in separate accounts	46,289	43,942
Net amount at risk	41	61
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	11,382	11,233
Contract value in separate accounts	8,874	8,722
Net amount at risk	78	115
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	7,552	7,367
Contract value in separate accounts	7,126	6,933
Net amount at risk	61	106
Weighted average attained age	65 years	65 years
GMDB | Five-year ratchet
Information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities
Total contract value	1,681	1,616
Contract value in separate accounts	1,627	1,563
Net amount at risk	2	3
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	978	912
Contract value in separate accounts	952	885
Net amount at risk	48	62
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	990	958
Contract value in separate accounts	939	907
Net amount at risk	104	93
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	432	425
Contract value in separate accounts	406	399
Net amount at risk	56	72
Weighted average attained age	66 years	66 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	34,310	32,486
Contract value in separate accounts	34,161	32,342
Net amount at risk	155	297
Weighted average attained age	65 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	3,980	3,898
Contract value in separate accounts	3,962	3,880
Net amount at risk	15	34
Weighted average attained age	66 years	66 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	30,330	28,588
Contract value in separate accounts	30,199	28,462
Net amount at risk	140	263
Weighted average attained age	65 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	3,936	3,773
Contract value in separate accounts	3,924	3,762
Net amount at risk	$ 2	$ 5
Weighted average attained age	57 years	57 years