Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits	$ 5,947		$ 5,947		$ 6,556	$ 9,900
Deferred income taxes, net					2,131
Other liabilities	10,668		10,668		8,412
Retained earnings	10,847		10,847		11,001
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	3,295		3,295		1,251
Total stockholders' equity	22,982	21,362	22,982	21,362	21,486	18,700
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits	566	1,005	1,441	2,047
Insurance operating costs and other expenses	1,275	1,287	3,896	4,093
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(22)	(17)	(269)	220
Income tax expense (benefit)	(37)	(74)	(281)	(289)
Net income	13	60	8	594
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	3	50	(23)	563
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, available to common shareholders per common share
Basic	$ 0.01	$ 0.11	$ (0.04)	$ 1.07
Diluted	$ 0.01	$ 0.10	$ (0.04)	$ 0.99
Net income available to common shareholders per common share
Basic	$ 0.01	$ 0.11	$ (0.05)	$ 1.27
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.01	$ 0.11	$ (0.05)	$ 1.17
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits					8,744
Deferred income taxes, net					1,398
Other liabilities	10,477		10,477		8,443
Retained earnings	11,235		11,235		12,519
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax					1,157
Total stockholders' equity					22,910	20,300
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits		1,320		2,819
Insurance operating costs and other expenses		1,059		3,403
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	511	(104)	264	138
Income tax expense (benefit)	108	(101)	(136)	(312)
Net income	401	0	396	535
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	391	(10)	365	504
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, available to common shareholders per common share
Basic	$ 0.90	$ (0.03)	$ 0.84	$ 0.94
Diluted	$ 0.83	$ (0.03)	$ 0.79	$ 0.87
Net income available to common shareholders per common share
Basic	$ 0.90	$ (0.02)	$ 0.83	$ 1.13
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.83	$ (0.02)	$ 0.78	$ 1.05
Effect of change [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits					(2,188)	2,400
Deferred income taxes, net					733
Other liabilities	191		191		(31)
Retained earnings	(388)		(388)		(1,518)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax					94
Total stockholders' equity					(1,424)	1,600
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits		(315)		(772)
Insurance operating costs and other expenses		228		690
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(533)	87	(533)	82
Income tax expense (benefit)	(145)	27	(145)	23
Net income	(388)	60	(388)	59
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders		$ 60	$ (388)	$ 59
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, available to common shareholders per common share
Basic	$ (0.89)	$ 0.14	$ (0.88)	$ 0.13
Diluted	$ (0.82)	$ 0.13	$ (0.83)	$ 0.12
Net income available to common shareholders per common share
Basic	$ (0.89)	$ 0.13	$ (0.88)	$ 0.14
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ (0.82)	$ 0.13	$ (0.83)	$ 0.12