Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 segments	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of Company Reporting Segments which completed interim impairment test	2
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0
Gross	1,391	1,406
Accumulated Impairments	(385)	(385)
Discontinued Operations	0	(15)	[1]
Carrying Value	1,006	1,006
Annual Impairment Tests Margin	less than 10%
Property & Casualty Commercial [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	30	30
Accumulated Impairments	(30)	(30)
Discontinued Operations	0	0	[1]
Carrying Value	0	0
Consumer Markets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	119	119
Accumulated Impairments	0	0
Discontinued Operations	0	0	[1]
Carrying Value	119	119
Individual Life [Member] | Wealth Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	224	224
Accumulated Impairments	0	0
Discontinued Operations	0	0	[1]
Carrying Value	224	224
Retirement Plans [Member] | Wealth Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	87	87
Accumulated Impairments	0	0
Discontinued Operations	0	0	[1]
Carrying Value	87	87
Mutual Funds [Member] | Wealth Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	159	159
Accumulated Impairments	0	0
Discontinued Operations	0	0	[1]
Carrying Value	159	159
Wealth Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	470	470
Accumulated Impairments	0	0
Discontinued Operations	0	0	[1]
Carrying Value	470	470
Corporate [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross	772	787
Accumulated Impairments	(355)	(355)
Discontinued Operations	0	(15)	[1]
Carrying Value	$ 417	$ 417

[1] Represents goodwill written off related to Federal Trust Corporation which is currently recorded in discontinued operations.