Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 14) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	$ 167,102		$ 141,436
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(610)		(458)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4,601		4,682
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(5,211)		(5,140)
International [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	57,900		33,000
GMWB hedging instruments [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	18,153		16,406
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	810		894
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	954		1,022
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(144)		(128)
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,278		6,819
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	180		357
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	180		357
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	8,481		8,943
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	311		335
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	335		359
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(24)		(24)
Cash Flow Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	8,286		8,652
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	328		329
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	328		329
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Cash flow hedges foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	195		291
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(17)		6
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	7		30
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(24)		(24)
Fair value hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,276		1,684
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(18)		(117)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	57		63
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(75)		(180)
Fair Value Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,091		1,007
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(75)		(78)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(75)		(78)
Fair value hedges - Foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	185		677
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	57		(39)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	57		63
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		(102)
Non-qualifying strategies [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	157,345		130,809
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(903)		(676)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4,209		4,260
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(5,112)		(4,936)
Interest Rate Swaps Caps Floors and Futures [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	9,335		10,144
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(565)		(583)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	595		531
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,160)		(1,114)
Foreign Currency Swaps and Forwards Non-qualifying as Hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	436		380
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	4		(12)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	22		6
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(18)		(18)
3 Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,054		2,054
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	63		184
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	63		184
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,907		1,945
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	399		514
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	415		540
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(16)		(26)
Credit Derivatives that Purchase Credit Protection [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,103		1,721
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	9		36
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	24		56
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(15)		(20)
Credit Derivatives that Assume Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	3,870	[1]	2,952	[1]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(527)	[1]	(648)	[1]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	8	[1]	2	[1]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(535)	[1]	(650)	[1]
Credit Derivatives in Offsetting Positions [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	9,272		8,189
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(45)		(57)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	153		164
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(198)		(221)
Equity index swaps options [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	631		1,501
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	39		27
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	53		40
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(14)		(13)
GMWB product derivatives [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	31,802	[2]	34,569	[2]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(2,203)	[2]	(2,538)	[2]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	[2]	0	[2]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(2,203)	[2]	(2,538)	[2]
GMWB Reinsurance [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	6,445		7,193
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	376		443
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	376		443
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
International program product derivatives [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,573	[2]	2,710	[2]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(57)	[2]	(71)	[2]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	[2]	0	[2]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(57)	[2]	(71)	[2]
International program hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	63,986		33,726
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	588		750
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	1,340		887
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(752)		(137)
Contingent Capital Facility Put Option [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	500		500
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	26		28
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	26		28
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$ 0		$ 0

[1] The derivative instruments related to this strategy are held for other investment purposes.

[2] These derivatives are embedded within liabilities and are not held for risk management purposes.