Benefit Plans (Net Funded Status) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION:
Benefit obligation as of January 1	$ 1,210		$ 1,044
Service cost	16		14		8
Interest cost	46		48		33
Employee contributions	0		0
Plan amendments	0		7
Plan settlements	0		(1)
Benefits paid	(75)		(51)
Assumption of a plan due to the resolution of bankruptcy proceedings	0	[1]	51	[1]
Actuarial (gain) loss	(138)		98
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes	0		0
Benefit obligation as of December 31	1,059		1,210		1,044
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:
Fair value of plan assets as of January 1	883		762
Actual return on plan assets	81		97
Employer contributions	52		49
Employee contributions	0		0
Plan settlements	0		(1)
Benefits paid	(75)		(51)
Assumption of a plan due to the resolution of bankruptcy proceedings	0	[1]	27	[1]
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes	0		0
Fair value of plan assets as of December 31	941		883		762
Funded status as of December 31	(118)		(327)
Foreign Defined Benefit Plans
CHANGE IN PROJECTED BENEFIT OBLIGATION:
Benefit obligation as of January 1	6,768		5,761
Service cost	26		18		18
Interest cost	515		509		564
Employee contributions	4		5
Plan amendments	0		1
Plan settlements	0		(2)
Benefits paid	(407)		(431)
Assumption of a plan due to the resolution of bankruptcy proceedings	0	[1]	0	[1]
Actuarial (gain) loss	(1,436)		1,412
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(721)		(505)
Benefit obligation as of December 31	4,749		6,768		5,761
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:
Fair value of plan assets as of January 1	4,712		4,400
Actual return on plan assets	(345)		944
Employer contributions	160		161
Employee contributions	4		5
Plan settlements	0		(2)
Benefits paid	(407)		(431)
Assumption of a plan due to the resolution of bankruptcy proceedings	0	[1]	0	[1]
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(519)		(365)
Fair value of plan assets as of December 31	3,605		4,712		4,400
Funded status as of December 31	$ (1,144)		$ (2,056)

[1] The Company assumed the pension plan for AES Eastern Energy on December 28, 2012 as part of the settlement of the bankruptcy proceedings. See Note 23—Discontinued Operations and Held for Sale Businesses for further information.