Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 81,555		$ 80,034
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,517		5,442
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,428)		(2,674)
Fair Value	87,604		82,730
Non-Credit OTTI	(99)	[1]	(187)	[1]
ABS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,916		3,430
Gross Unrealized Gains	69		55
Gross Unrealized Losses	(227)		(332)
Fair Value	2,758		3,153
Non-Credit OTTI	(3)	[1]	(7)	[1]
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,279	[2]	2,819	[2]
Gross Unrealized Gains	50	[2]	16	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(217)	[2]	(348)	[2]
Fair Value	3,072	[2]	2,487	[2]
Non-Credit OTTI	(13)	[1],[2]	(44)	[1],[2]
CMBS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	6,114		7,192
Gross Unrealized Gains	403		271
Gross Unrealized Losses	(244)		(512)
Fair Value	6,273		6,951
Non-Credit OTTI	(13)	[1]	(31)	[1]
Corporate [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	39,032	[2]	41,161	[2]
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,794	[2]	3,661	[2]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(393)	[2]	(739)	[2]
Fair Value	43,433	[2]	44,011	[2]
Non-Credit OTTI	(23)	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,019		2,030
Gross Unrealized Gains	202		141
Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)		(10)
Fair Value	4,216		2,161
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Municipal [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	12,939		12,557
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,372		775
Gross Unrealized Losses	(20)		(72)
Fair Value	14,291		13,260
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
RMBS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,382		5,961
Gross Unrealized Gains	337		252
Gross Unrealized Losses	(242)		(456)
Fair Value	7,477		5,757
Non-Credit OTTI	(47)	[1]	(105)	[1]
U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,009		3,828
Gross Unrealized Gains	213		203
Gross Unrealized Losses	(16)		(2)
Fair Value	5,206		4,029
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturities [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,440		5,374
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,364)		(2,471)
Fair Value	86,726		81,809
Non-Credit OTTI	(99)	[1]	(187)	[1]
Equity Securities, AFS [Member]
Available-for-Sale Securities
Gross Unrealized Gains	77		68
Gross Unrealized Losses	(64)		(203)
Fair Value	878		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 September 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).