Investments and Derivative Instruments Level 4 Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 63,704,000,000		$ 72,850,000,000			$ 63,704,000,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		(778,000,000)		(639,000,000)			(778,000,000)
Invested Assets Suppoting Modco		918,000,000		1,000,000,000			918,000,000
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		19,000,000			$ 18,000,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral		1,200,000,000		1,100,000,000			1,200,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery				0			2,000,000	$ 11,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		13,000,000,000		13,100,000,000			13,000,000,000
UNITED STATES | GMWB Hedging Instruments [Member]
Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		11,139,000,000		14,442,000,000			11,139,000,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		207,000,000		174,000,000			207,000,000
JAPAN | Three Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge		(17,000,000)			83,000,000		(1,000,000)	38,000,000
GMWB Derivatives, Net [Member] | UNITED STATES
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(32,000,000)			6,000,000
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | UNITED STATES
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		51,000,000			12,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		59,544,000,000		68,676,000,000			59,544,000,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		(846,000,000)		(664,000,000)			(846,000,000)
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		6,000,000	[1]		(75,000,000)	[1]	(40,000,000)	(242,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(11,000,000)			(8,000,000)		(16,000,000)	(153,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Reinsurance Contracts [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		2,000,000			9,000,000		28,000,000	(26,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Put Option [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(2,000,000)			(2,000,000)		(5,000,000)	(5,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		3,000,000			6,000,000		11,000,000	2,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Swap, Buying Protection [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		7,000,000			1,000,000		5,000,000	(9,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(23,000,000)			(11,000,000)		(25,000,000)	8,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity Option [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		2,000,000			0		(8,000,000)	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Contract [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		1,000,000			0		4,000,000	(1,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Derivatives formerly associated with Japan [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		0			(2,000,000)		0	(2,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | UNITED STATES | GMWB Hedging Instruments [Member]
Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		11,139,000,000		14,442,000,000			11,139,000,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		207,000,000		174,000,000			207,000,000
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		94,000,000			41,000,000		41,000,000	(30,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | UNITED STATES | GMWB Product Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(150,000,000)			(37,000,000)		(91,000,000)	54,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | UNITED STATES | GMWB Reinsurance [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		24,000,000			2,000,000		15,000,000	(9,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | UNITED STATES | Macro Hedge Program [Member]
Non-qualifying Strategies for Hedge Accounting [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		4,272,000,000		6,383,000,000			4,272,000,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		183,000,000		$ 141,000,000			183,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | JAPAN | Three Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	[2]	$ 8,000,000			$ (86,000,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | JAPAN | Fixed Annuity Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivative Non-Qualifying Strategy Gain (Loss) Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	[2]						$ (23,000,000)	$ (58,000,000)

[1] These amounts relate to the termination of the hedging program associated with the Japan variable annuity product due to the sale of HLIKK.

[2] Not included in this amount is the associated liability adjustment for changes in foreign exchange spot rates through realized capital gains of $(17) and $83 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $(1) and $38 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.