Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features Level 4 (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1]	$ 19,929,000,000			$ 19,929,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2]	4,032,000,000			4,032,000,000
Separate Accounts, Liability		121,634,000,000	[1]		121,634,000,000	[1]			$ 134,702,000,000
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment, Fair Value		$ 40,594,000,000			$ 40,594,000,000				$ 48,852,000,000
Invested in Fixed Income Securities		18.00%			18.00%				17.00%
Invested in Equity Securities		82.00%			82.00%				83.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment, Fair Value		$ 36,934,000,000			$ 36,934,000,000				$ 44,786,000,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment, Fair Value		3,660,000,000			3,660,000,000				4,066,000,000
Return of Net Deposit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[3]	9,568,000,000			$ 9,568,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[3]				68 years
Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2]	807,000,000			$ 807,000,000
Annuitization Benefit [Member] | UNITED STATES
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk		0			0
Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit [Member] | UNITED STATES
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value		7,100,000,000			$ 7,100,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age					71 years
MAV Only [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[4]	14,474,000,000			$ 14,474,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[4]				70 years
With Five Percent Rollup [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[4],[5]	1,256,000,000			$ 1,256,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[4],[5]				70 years
With Earnings Protection Benefit Rider (EPB) [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[4],[6]	3,714,000,000			$ 3,714,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[4],[6]				69 years
With Five Percent Rollup and EPB [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[4]	485,000,000			$ 485,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[4]				72 years
Asset Protection Benefit ("APB") [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[7]	11,879,000,000			$ 11,879,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[7]				69 years
Lifetime Income Benefit ("LIB") - Death Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[8]	520,000,000			$ 520,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[8]				68 years
Reset [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[9]	2,568,000,000			$ 2,568,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[9]				70 years
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1]	3,870,000,000			$ 3,870,000,000
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | UNITED STATES
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Liability, balance as of January 1					812,000,000		$ 849,000,000
Incurred					119,000,000		136,000,000
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Benefits Paid					(83,000,000)		(85,000,000)
Liability balance as of September 30		805,000,000		$ 810,000,000	805,000,000		810,000,000
Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of January 1					481,000,000		533,000,000
Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of September 30		504,000,000		483,000,000	504,000,000		483,000,000
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	[1],[10]	44,464,000,000			$ 44,464,000,000
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	[10]				69 years
Separate Accounts, Liability	[1]	40,594,000,000			$ 40,594,000,000
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | JAPAN
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Separate Accounts, Liability	[1]	81,040,000,000			81,040,000,000
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | UNITED STATES
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit					(17,000,000)		62,000,000
reinsurance recoverable asset impact of business disposition							0
Incurred		72,000,000		78,000,000	72,000,000		78,000,000
Paid		(66,000,000)		(66,000,000)	(66,000,000)		(66,000,000)
GMDB GMIB [Member] | UNITED STATES
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit					43,000,000		90,000,000
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long Duration Contracts, Business Disposition Impact							0
GMDB GMIB [Member] | JAPAN
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Liability, balance as of January 1							272,000,000
Incurred							28,000,000
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Benefits Paid							(15,000,000)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit							41,000,000
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long Duration Contracts, Business Disposition Impact							(254,000,000)
Liability balance as of September 30				0			0
Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of January 1							23,000,000
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment							10,000,000
Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of September 30				0			0
GMDB GMIB [Member] | Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | JAPAN
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit							(3,000,000)
reinsurance recoverable asset impact of business disposition							(27,000,000)
Incurred				4,000,000			4,000,000
Paid				(4,000,000)			(4,000,000)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment							1,000,000
Secondary Guarantees [Member] | Universal Life [Member]
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Liability, balance as of January 1					2,041,000,000		1,802,000,000
Incurred					213,000,000		174,000,000
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit					10,000,000		(5,000,000)
Liabilities for Guarantees on Long Duration Contracts, Business Disposition Impact							0
Liability balance as of September 30		2,244,000,000		1,981,000,000	2,244,000,000		1,981,000,000
Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of January 1					2,041,000,000		1,802,000,000
Reinsurance recoverable asset, as of September 30		2,244,000,000		1,981,000,000	2,244,000,000		1,981,000,000
Secondary Guarantees [Member] | Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Universal Life [Member]
Movement in Changes in the gross U.S. GMDB, International GMDB/GMIB, and UL Secondary Guarantee Benefits [Roll Forward]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit					0
reinsurance recoverable asset impact of business disposition							0
Incurred		203,000,000		179,000,000	203,000,000		179,000,000
Return of Net Deposit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[3]	79,000,000			79,000,000
Return of Net Deposit [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[3]	72,000,000			72,000,000
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | UNITED STATES
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[10]	5,027,000,000			5,027,000,000
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member] | UNITED STATES
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[10]	1,513,000,000			1,513,000,000
Reset [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[9]	65,000,000			65,000,000
Reset [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[9]	65,000,000			65,000,000
Lifetime Income Benefit ("LIB") - Death Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[8]	13,000,000			13,000,000
Lifetime Income Benefit ("LIB") - Death Benefit [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[8]	13,000,000			13,000,000
Asset Protection Benefit ("APB") [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[7]	838,000,000			838,000,000
Asset Protection Benefit ("APB") [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[7]	556,000,000			556,000,000
With Five Percent Rollup and EPB [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4]	108,000,000			108,000,000
With Five Percent Rollup and EPB [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4]	24,000,000			24,000,000
With Earnings Protection Benefit Rider (EPB) [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4],[6]	502,000,000			502,000,000
With Earnings Protection Benefit Rider (EPB) [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4],[6]	78,000,000			78,000,000
With Five Percent Rollup [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4],[5]	260,000,000			260,000,000
With Five Percent Rollup [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4],[5]	92,000,000			92,000,000
MAV Only [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4]	3,162,000,000			3,162,000,000
MAV Only [Member] | Annuitization Benefit [Member]
Minimum Guarantees, Net Amount at Risk [Abstract]
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	[2],[4]	613,000,000			613,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs		510,000,000		791,000,000	510,000,000		791,000,000	$ 735,000,000	578,000,000		$ 737,000,000
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	[11],[12],[13]	(10,000,000)			(3,000,000)		8,000,000
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements		6,000,000			16,000,000		2,000,000
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	[12],[14]	(7,000,000)					6,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit [Member] | Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable [Member] | UNITED STATES
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs		(270,000,000)		(56,000,000)	(270,000,000)		(56,000,000)	(112,000,000)	(139,000,000)	$ 2,000,000	(36,000,000)
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	[11],[12],[13]	(177,000,000)		(37,000,000)	(118,000,000)		54,000,000
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements		(19,000,000)		21,000,000	13,000,000		74,000,000
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	[12],[14]	(177,000,000)		(37,000,000)	(118,000,000)		54,000,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable [Member]
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs		(291,000,000)		(79,000,000)	(291,000,000)		(79,000,000)	(138,000,000)	(165,000,000)	(20,000,000)	(48,000,000)
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings		(172,000,000)		(38,000,000)	(113,000,000)		49,000,000
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements		(19,000,000)		21,000,000	13,000,000		80,000,000
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)		(172,000,000)		(38,000,000)	(113,000,000)		49,000,000
Equity Linked Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Policyholder Funds and Benefits Payable [Member]
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs		(21,000,000)		(23,000,000)	(21,000,000)		(23,000,000)	(26,000,000)	(26,000,000)	(22,000,000)	(18,000,000)
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings		5,000,000		(1,000,000)	5,000,000		(5,000,000)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements		0		0	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)		5,000,000		(1,000,000)	5,000,000		(5,000,000)
Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs		0		(2,000,000)	0		(2,000,000)	$ (3,000,000)	$ (3,000,000)	$ (2,000,000)	$ (2,000,000)
Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings		3,000,000		0	3,000,000		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements		0		0	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)		$ 3,000,000		$ 0	$ 3,000,000		$ 0

[1] AV includes the contract holder’s investment in the separate account and the general account.

[2] [9]NAR is defined as the guaranteed benefit in excess of the current AV. RNAR represents NAR reduced for reinsurance. NAR and RNAR are highly sensitive to equity markets movements and increase when equity markets decline.

[3] ROP GMDB is the greater of current AV or net premiums paid.

[4] MAV GMDB is the greatest of current AV, net premiums paid and the highest AV on any anniversary before age 80 years (adjusted for withdrawals).

[5] Rollup GMDB is the greatest of the MAV, current AV, net premium paid and premiums (adjusted for withdrawals) accumulated at generally 5% simple interest up to the earlier of age 80 years or 100% of adjusted premiums.

[6] EPB GMDB is the greatest of the MAV, current AV, or contract value plus a percentage of the contract’s growth. The contract’s growth is AV less premiums net of withdrawals, subject to a cap of 200% of premiums net of withdrawals.

[7] APB GMDB is the greater of current AV or MAV, not to exceed current AV plus 25% times the greater of net premiums and MAV (each adjusted for premiums in the past 12 months).

[8] LIB GMDB is the greatest of current AV; net premiums paid; or, for certain contracts, a benefit amount generally based on market performance that ratchets over time.

[9] Reset GMDB is the greatest of current AV, net premiums paid and the most recent five to seven year anniversary AV before age 80 years (adjusted for withdrawals).

[10] [10]Some variable annuity contracts with GMDB also have a life-contingent GMWB that may provide for benefits in excess of the return of the GRB. Such contracts included in this amount have $7.1 billion of total account value and weighted average attained age of 71 years. There is no NAR or retained NAR related to these contracts.

[11] [1]The Company classifies gains and losses on GMWB reinsurance derivatives and GMWB embedded derivatives as unrealized gains (losses) for purposes of disclosure in this table because it is impracticable to track on a contract-by-contract basis the realized gains (losses) for these derivatives and embedded derivatives.

[12] [2]All amounts in these rows are reported in net realized capital gains (losses). The realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income for separate account assets are offset by an equal amount for separate account liabilities, which results in a net zero impact on net income for the Company. All amounts are before income taxes and amortization of DAC.

[13] [6]Includes both market and non-market impacts in deriving realized and unrealized gains (losses).

[14] [7]Amounts presented are for Level 3 only and therefore may not agree to other disclosures included herein.