Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 18) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Document Period End Date					Sep. 30, 2012
Total	$ 209		$ 843		$ (426)		$ 441
Interest rate swaps, swap options , caps, floors and forwards [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	3		(25)		(12)		(24)
Foreign currency swaps and forwards [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(4)		19		23		7
3 Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	15	[1]	39	[1]	(106)	[1]	14	[1]
Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	24	[2]	103	[2]	(46)	[2]	98	[2]
Credit Derivatives that Purchase Credit Protection [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(18)		31		(49)		11
Credit Derivatives that Assume Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	99		(183)		272		(178)
Equity index swaps and options [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(13)		(56)		(29)		(54)
GMWB product derivatives [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	823		(1,315)		1,235		(1,047)
GMWB Reinsurance [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(184)		241		(265)		180
GMWB hedging instruments [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(258)		751		(519)		567
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(109)		107		(292)		6
International program product derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	26		(54)		45		(44)
International program hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	(193)		1,186		(678)		909
Contingent Capital Facility Put Option [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total	$ (2)		$ (1)		$ (5)		$ (4)

[1] The associated liability is adjusted for changes in spot rates through realized capital gains and was $(46) and $(93) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $19 and $(100) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] The associated liability is adjusted for changes in spot rates through realized capital gains and was $(54) and $(115) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $33 and $(125) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.