Investments (details) - Net Investment Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net investment income
Gross investment income	$ 2,340	$ 2,420	$ 2,826
Investment expenses	38	41	39
Net investment income	2,302	2,379	2,787
Fixed maturities [Member]
Net investment income
Gross investment income	1,981	2,091	2,244
Equity securities [Member]
Net investment income
Gross investment income	37	39	40
Short-term securities [Member]
Net investment income
Gross investment income	29	12	9
Real estate [Member]
Net investment income
Gross investment income	51	48	44
Other investments [Member]
Net investment income
Gross investment income	$ 242	$ 230	$ 489

Amount, before investment expense, of income earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments.

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Amount of expenses related to the generation of investment income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

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Amount, after investment expense, of income earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 235
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-16(Column G))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34713774&loc=d3e574960-122915

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+ References

No definition available.

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