Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 14) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	$ 173,376		$ 141,436
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(58)		(458)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	3,936		4,682
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(3,994)		(5,140)
International [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	62,300		33,000
GMWB hedging instruments [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	19,813		16,406
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	674		894
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	842		1,022
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(168)		(128)
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,583		6,819
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	82		357
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	82		357
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	8,094		8,943
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	341		335
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	363		359
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(22)		(24)
Cash Flow Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	7,914		8,652
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	359		329
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	359		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	180		291
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(18)		6
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4		30
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(22)		(24)
Fair value hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	816		1,684
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(46)		(117)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	15		63
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(61)		(180)
Fair Value Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	776		1,007
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(61)		(78)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(61)		(78)
Fair value hedges - Foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	40		677
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	15		(39)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	15		63
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		(102)
Non-qualifying strategies [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	164,466		130,809
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(353)		(676)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	3,558		4,260
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(3,911)		(4,936)
Interest Rate Swaps Caps Floors and Futures [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	13,179		10,144
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(553)		(583)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	578		531
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,131)		(1,114)
Foreign Currency Swaps and Forwards Non-qualifying as Hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	397		380
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(14)		(12)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	7		6
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(21)		(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	78		184
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	78		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	1,648		1,945
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	371		514
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	392		540
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(21)		(26)
Credit Derivatives that Purchase Credit Protection [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,041		1,721
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(4)		36
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	15		56
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(19)		(20)
Credit Derivatives that Assume Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	3,669	[1]	2,952	[1]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(339)	[1]	(648)	[1]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	13	[1]	2	[1]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(352)	[1]	(650)	[1]
Credit Derivatives in Offsetting Positions [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	9,428		8,189
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(39)		(57)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	110		164
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(149)		(221)
Equity index swaps options [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	924		1,501
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	55		27
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	68		40
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(13)		(13)
GMWB product derivatives [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	30,213	[2]	34,569	[2]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,413)	[2]	(2,538)	[2]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	[2]	0	[2]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,413)	[2]	(2,538)	[2]
GMWB Reinsurance [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	6,116		7,193
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	199		443
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	199		443
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0
International program product derivatives [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,607	[2]	2,710	[2]
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(36)	[2]	(71)	[2]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	[2]	0	[2]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(36)	[2]	(71)	[2]
International program hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	67,294		33,726
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	562		750
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	1,150		887
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(588)		(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	24		28
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	24		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.