Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	$ 2,608	$ 2,511
Net realized gains (losses)	1	(2)
Revenues of consolidated investment entities	82	52
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	2,691	2,561
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	460	456
Net realized gains (losses)	1	(2)
Net loss (gain) of consolidated investment entities	30	4
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits	(2)	(113)
Integration and restructuring charges	(2)	(23)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	487	322
Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	1,018	954
Intersegment revenue	228	229
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	131	94
Asset Management
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	746	711
Intersegment revenue	9	10
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	144	131
Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	630	628
Intersegment revenue	73	63
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	156	189
Protection
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	538	522
Intersegment revenue	10	9
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	110	107
Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	(3)	8
Intersegment revenue	1	1
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(81)	(65)
Eliminations:
Summary of segment operating results
Total operating net revenues	$ (321)	$ (312)