Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 81,699		$ 80,034
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,275		5,442
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,845)		(2,674)
Fair Value	86,078		82,730
Non-Credit OTTI	(168)	[1]	(187)	[1]
ABS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,190		3,430
Gross Unrealized Gains	59		55
Gross Unrealized Losses	(247)		(332)
Fair Value	3,002		3,153
Non-Credit OTTI	(3)	[1]	(7)	[1]
CDOs [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,311	[2]	2,819	[2]
Gross Unrealized Gains	45	[2]	16	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(268)	[2]	(348)	[2]
Fair Value	3,037	[2]	2,487	[2]
Non-Credit OTTI	(38)	[1],[2]	(44)	[1],[2]
CMBS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	6,368		7,192
Gross Unrealized Gains	317		271
Gross Unrealized Losses	(339)		(512)
Fair Value	6,346		6,951
Non-Credit OTTI	(17)	[1]	(31)	[1]
Corporate [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	39,393	[2]	41,161	[2]
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,050	[2]	3,661	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(460)	[2]	(739)	[2]
Fair Value	42,983	[2]	44,011	[2]
Non-Credit OTTI	(2)	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Foreign govt./govt. agencies [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,476		2,030
Gross Unrealized Gains	135		141
Gross Unrealized Losses	(13)		(10)
Fair Value	3,598		2,161
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Municipal [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	13,068		12,557
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,100		775
Gross Unrealized Losses	(43)		(72)
Fair Value	14,125		13,260
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
RMBS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,084		5,961
Gross Unrealized Gains	283		252
Gross Unrealized Losses	(386)		(456)
Fair Value	6,981		5,757
Non-Credit OTTI	(108)	[1]	(105)	[1]
U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,950		3,828
Gross Unrealized Gains	215		203
Gross Unrealized Losses	(10)		(2)
Fair Value	5,155		4,029
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturities [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	80,840		78,978
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,204		5,374
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,766)		(2,471)
Fair Value	85,227		81,809
Non-Credit OTTI	(168)	[1]	(187)	[1]
Equity Securities, AFS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	859		1,056
Gross Unrealized Gains	71		68
Gross Unrealized Losses	(79)		(203)
Fair Value	851		921
Non-Credit OTTI	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]

[1] Represents the amount of cumulative non-credit OTTI losses recognized in OCI on securities that also had credit impairments. These losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

[2] Gross unrealized gains (losses) exclude the change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivative features of certain securities. Changes in fair value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).