Investment Holding Level 3 (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

The Company utilizes a variety of OTC, OTC-cleared and exchange traded derivative instruments as a part of its overall risk management strategy as well as to enter into replication transactions. Derivative instruments are used to manage risk associated with interest rate, equity market, commodity market, credit spread, issuer default, price, and currency exchange rate risk or volatility. Replication transactions are used as an economical means to synthetically replicate the characteristics and performance of assets that are permissible investments under the Company’s investment policies. The Company also may enter into and has previously issued financial instruments and products that either are accounted for as free-standing derivatives, such as certain reinsurance contracts, or as embedded derivative instruments, such as certain GMWB riders included with certain variable annuity products.

Strategies that Qualify for Hedge Accounting

Some of the Company's derivatives satisfy hedge accounting requirements as outlined in Note 1 of these financial statements. Typically, these hedging instruments include interest rate swaps and, to a lesser extent, foreign currency swaps where the terms or expected cash flows of the hedged item closely match the terms of the swap. The interest rate swaps are typically used to manage interest rate duration of certain fixed maturity securities or liability contracts. The hedge strategies by hedge accounting designation include:

Cash Flow Hedges

Interest rate swaps are predominantly used to manage portfolio duration and better match cash receipts from assets with cash disbursements required to fund liabilities. These derivatives primarily convert interest receipts on floating-rate fixed maturity securities to fixed rates. The Company also enters into forward starting swap agreements to hedge the interest rate exposure related to the future purchase of fixed-rate securities, primarily to hedge interest rate risk inherent in the assumptions used to price certain product liabilities.

Foreign currency swaps are used to convert foreign currency-denominated cash flows related to certain investment receipts and liability payments to U.S. dollars in order to reduce cash flow fluctuations due to changes in currency rates.

Fair Value Hedges

Interest rate swaps are used to hedge the changes in fair value of fixed maturity securities due to fluctuations in interest rates. These swaps are typically used to manage interest rate duration.

Non-qualifying Strategies

Derivative relationships that do not qualify for hedge accounting (“non-qualifying strategies”) primarily include the hedge program for the Company's variable annuity products as well as the hedging and replication strategies that utilize credit default swaps. In addition, hedges of interest rate, foreign currency and equity risk of certain fixed maturities, equities and liabilities do not qualify for hedge accounting.

The non-qualifying strategies include:

Interest Rate Swaps, Swaptions and Futures

The Company uses interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures to manage interest rate duration between assets and liabilities in certain investment portfolios. In addition, the Company enters into interest rate swaps to terminate existing swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the notional amount of interest rate swaps in offsetting relationships was $10.6 billion and $12.9 billion, respectively.

Foreign Currency Swaps and Forwards

Foreign currency forwards are used to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash and equity securities as well as currency impacts on changes in equity of the U.K. property and casualty run-off subsidiaries that are held for sale. For further information on the disposition, see Note 2 of these financial statements. The Company also enters into foreign currency swaps and forwards to convert the foreign currency exposures of certain foreign currency-denominated fixed maturity investments to U.S. dollars.

Fixed Payout Annuity Hedge

The Company has obligations for certain yen denominated fixed payout annuities under an assumed reinsurance contract. The Company invests in U.S. dollar denominated assets to support the assumed reinsurance liability. The Company has in place pay U.S. dollar, receive yen swap contracts to hedge the currency and yen interest rate exposure between the U.S. dollar denominated assets and the yen denominated fixed liability reinsurance payments.

Credit Contracts

Credit default swaps are used to purchase credit protection on an individual entity or referenced index to economically hedge against default risk and credit-related changes in the value of fixed maturity securities. Credit default swaps are also used to assume credit risk related to an individual entity or referenced index as a part of replication transactions. These contracts require the Company to pay or receive a periodic fee in exchange for compensation from the counterparty should the referenced security issuers experience a credit event, as defined in the contract. The Company is also exposed to credit risk related to certain structured fixed maturity securities that have embedded credit derivatives, which reference a standard index of corporate securities. In addition, the Company enters into credit default swaps to terminate existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the changes in value of the original swap going forward.

Equity Index Swaps and Options

The Company enters into equity index options to hedge the impact of a decline in the equity markets on the investment portfolio. During 2015, the Company entered into a total return swap to hedge equity risk of specific common stock investments which were accounted for using fair value option in order to align the accounting treatment within net realized capital gains (losses). The swap matured in January 2016 and the specific common stock investments were sold at that time. In addition, the Company formerly offered certain equity indexed products that remain in force, a portion of which contain embedded derivatives that require changes in value to be bifurcated from the host contract. The Company uses equity index swaps to economically hedge the equity volatility risk associated with the equity indexed products.

Commodity Contracts

The Company has used put options contracts on oil futures to partially offset potential losses related to certain fixed maturity securities that could be impacted by changes in oil prices. These options were terminated at the end of 2015.

GMWB Derivatives, net

The Company formerly offered certain variable annuity products with GMWB riders. The GMWB product is a bifurcated embedded derivative (“GMWB product derivatives”) that has a notional value equal to the GRB. The Company uses reinsurance contracts to transfer a portion of its risk of loss due to GMWB. The reinsurance contracts covering GMWB (“GMWB reinsurance contracts”) are accounted for as free-standing derivatives with a notional amount equal to the GRB reinsured.

The Company utilizes derivatives (“GMWB hedging instruments”) as part of a dynamic hedging program designed to hedge a portion of the capital market risk exposures of the non-reinsured GMWB riders. The GMWB hedging instruments hedge changes in interest rates, equity market levels, and equity volatility. These derivatives include customized swaps, interest rate swaps and futures, and equity swaps, options and futures, on certain indices including the S&P 500 index, EAFE index and NASDAQ index. The Company retains the risk for differences between assumed and actual policyholder behavior and between the performance of the actively managed funds underlying the separate accounts and their respective indices.

GMWB Hedging Instruments

	Notional Amount				Fair Value
	As of December 31,				As of December 31,
	2016		2015		2016			2015
Customized swaps	$	5,191	$	5,877	$	100		$	131
Equity swaps, options, and futures	1,362		1,362		(27		)	2
Interest rate swaps and futures	3,703		3,740		21			25
Total	$	10,256	$	10,979	$	94		$	158

Macro Hedge Program

The Company utilizes equity swaps, options, futures, and forwards to provide partial protection against the statutory tail scenario risk arising from GMWB and the guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") liabilities on the Company's statutory surplus. These derivatives cover some of the residual risks not otherwise covered by the dynamic hedging program.

Contingent Capital Facility Put Option

The Company entered into a put option agreement that provides the Company the right to require a third-party trust to purchase, at any time, The Hartford’s junior subordinated notes in a maximum aggregate principal amount of $500. On February 8, 2017, The Hartford exercised the put option resulting in the issuance of $500 in junior subordinated notes with proceeds received on February 15, 2017. Under the put option agreement, The Hartford had been paying premiums on a periodic basis and has agreed to reimburse the trust for certain fees and ordinary expenses. For further information on the put option agreement, see the Contingent Capital Facility section within Note 13 - Debt.

Modified Coinsurance Reinsurance Contracts

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had approximately $875 and $895, respectively, of invested assets supporting other policyholder funds and benefits payable reinsured under a modified coinsurance arrangement in connection with the sale of the Individual Life business, which was structured as a reinsurance transaction. The assets are primarily held in a trust established by the Company. The Company pays or receives cash quarterly to settle the operating results of the reinsured business, including the investment results. As a result of this modified coinsurance arrangement, the Company has an embedded derivative that transfers to the reinsurer certain unrealized changes in fair value of investments subject to interest rate and credit risk. The notional amount of the embedded derivative reinsurance contracts are the invested assets which are carried at fair value and support the reinsured reserves.

Derivative Balance Sheet Classification

For reporting purposes, the Company has elected to offset within assets or liabilities based upon the net of the fair value amounts, income accruals, and related cash collateral receivables and payables of OTC derivative instruments executed in a legal entity and with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement, which provides the Company with the legal right of offset. The Company has also elected to offset within assets or liabilities based upon the net of the fair value amounts, income accruals and related cash collateral receivables and payables of OTC-cleared derivative instruments based on clearing house agreements. The following fair value amounts do not include income accruals or related cash collateral receivables and payables, which are netted with derivative fair value amounts to determine balance sheet presentation. Derivative fair value reported as liabilities after taking into account the master netting agreements was $963 and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Derivatives in the Company’s separate accounts, where the associated gains and losses accrue directly to policyholders, are not included in the table below. The Company’s derivative instruments are held for risk management purposes, unless otherwise noted in the following table. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated and is presented in the table to quantify the volume of the Company’s derivative activity. Notional amounts are not necessarily reflective of credit risk. The following tables exclude investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivative Balance Sheet Presentation

	Net Derivatives										Asset Derivatives				Liability Derivatives
	Notional Amount				Fair Value						Fair Value				Fair Value
Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type	Dec 31, 2016		Dec 31, 2015		Dec 31, 2016			Dec 31, 2015			Dec 31, 2016		Dec 31, 2015		Dec 31, 2016			Dec 31, 2015
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps	$	3,440	$	3,527	$	(79	)	$	17		$	11	$	50	$	(90	)	$	(33	)
Foreign currency swaps	239		143		(15		)	(19		)	11		7		(26		)	(26		)
Total cash flow hedges	3,679		3,670		(94		)	(2		)	22		57		(116		)	(59		)
Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps	—		23		—			—			—		—		—			—
Total fair value hedges	—		23		—			—			—		—		—			—
Non-qualifying strategies
Interest rate contracts
Interest rate swaps and futures	11,743		14,290		(890		)	(814		)	264		297		(1,154		)	(1,111		)
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign currency swaps and forwards	1,064		653		68			17			70		17		(2		)	—
Fixed payout annuity hedge	804		1,063		(263		)	(357		)	—		—		(263		)	(357		)
Credit contracts
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection	209		423		(4		)	18			—		22		(4		)	(4		)
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk [1]	1,309		2,458		10			(13		)	15		9		(5		)	(22		)
Credit derivatives in offsetting positions	3,317		4,059		(1		)	(2		)	39		40		(40		)	(42		)
Equity contracts
Equity index swaps and options	105		419		—			15			33		41		(33		)	(26		)
Variable annuity hedge program
GMWB product derivatives [2]	13,114		15,099		(241		)	(262		)	—		—		(241		)	(262		)
GMWB reinsurance contracts	2,709		3,106		73			83			73		83		—			—
GMWB hedging instruments	10,256		10,979		94			158			190		264		(96		)	(106		)
Macro hedge program	6,532		4,548		178			147			201		179		(23		)	(32		)
Other
Contingent capital facility put option	500		500		1			7			1		7		—			—
Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts	875		895		68			79			68		79		—			—
Total non-qualifying strategies	52,537		58,492		(907		)	(924		)	954		1,038		(1,861		)	(1,962		)
Total cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, and non-qualifying strategies	$	56,216	$	62,185	$	(1,001	)	$	(926	)	$	976	$	1,095	$	(1,977	)	$	(2,021	)
Balance Sheet Location
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$	322	$	425	$	1		$	(3	)	$	1	$	—	$	—		$	(3	)
Other investments	23,620		23,253		(180		)	1			377		409		(557		)	(408		)
Other liabilities	15,526		19,358		(689		)	(798		)	457		524		(1,146		)	(1,322		)
Reinsurance recoverables	3,584		4,000		141			162			141		162		—			—
Other policyholder funds and benefits payable	13,164		15,149		(274		)	(288		)	—		—		(274		)	(288		)
Total derivatives	$	56,216	$	62,185	$	(1,001	)	$	(926	)	$	976	$	1,095	$	(1,977	)	$	(2,021	)

[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.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities

The following tables present the gross fair value amounts, the amounts offset, and net position of derivative instruments eligible for offset in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts offset include fair value amounts, income accruals and related cash collateral receivables and payables associated with derivative instruments that are traded under a common master netting agreement, as described in the preceding discussion. Also included in the tables are financial collateral receivables and payables, which are contractually permitted to be offset upon an event of default, although are disallowed for offsetting under U.S. GAAP.

Offsetting Derivative Assets and Liabilities

	(i)			(ii)			(iii) = (i) - (ii)						(iv)			(v) = (iii) - (iv)
							Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position						Collateral Disallowed for Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Derivative Assets [1] (Liabilities) [2]			Accrued Interest and Cash Collateral (Received) [3] Pledged [2]			Financial Collateral (Received) Pledged [4]			Net Amount
As of December 31, 2016
Other investments	$	834		$	670		$	(180	)	$	344		$	103		$	61
Other liabilities	$	(1,703	)	$	(884	)	$	(689	)	$	(130	)	$	(763	)	$	(56	)
As of December 31, 2015
Other investments	$	933		$	756		$	1		$	176		$	100		$	77
Other liabilities	$	(1,730	)	$	(818	)	$	(798	)	$	(114	)	$	(889	)	$	(23	)

[1] Included in other investments in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Included in other liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and is limited to the net derivative payable associated with each counterparty.

[3] Included in other investments in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and is limited to the net derivative receivable associated with each counterparty.

[4] Excludes collateral associated with exchange-traded derivative instruments.

Cash Flow Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current period earnings. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
	2016			2015			2014
Interest rate swaps	$	(17	)	$	28		$	150
Foreign currency swaps	4			—			(10		)
Total	$	(13	)	$	28		$	140
	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)
	2016			2015			2014
Interest rate swaps
Net realized capital gain/(loss)	$	11		$	4		$	(1	)
Net investment income	62			64			87
Foreign currency swaps
Net realized capital gain/(loss)	(2		)	(9		)	(13		)
Total	$	71		$	59		$	73

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no ineffectiveness recognized in income within net realized capital gains (losses). During December 31, 2014, the Company had $2 of ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps recognized in income within net realized capital gains (losses).

As of December 31, 2016, the before-tax deferred net gains on derivative instruments recorded in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are $48. This expectation is based on the anticipated interest payments on hedged investments in fixed maturity securities that will occur over the next twelve months, at which time the Company will recognize the deferred net gains (losses) as an adjustment to net investment income over the term of the investment cash flows. The maximum term over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding interest payments on existing variable-rate financial instruments, is approximately two years.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company had no net reclassifications from AOCI to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of cash-flow hedges due to forecasted transactions that were no longer probable of occurring.

Fair Value Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivatives as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the derivative in the same line item as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company recognized in income immaterial gains and (losses) for the ineffective portion of fair value hedges related to the derivative instrument and the hedged item.

Non-qualifying Strategies

For non-qualifying strategies, including embedded derivatives that are required to be bifurcated from their host contracts and accounted for as derivatives, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized currently in earnings within net realized capital gains (losses).

Non-Qualifying Strategies Recognized within Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)

	December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Variable annuity hedge program
GMWB product derivatives	$	88		$	(59	)	$	(2	)
GMWB reinsurance contracts	(14		)	17			4
GMWB hedging instruments	(112		)	(45		)	3
Macro hedge program	(163		)	(46		)	(11		)
Total variable annuity hedge program	(201		)	(133		)	(6		)
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign currency swaps and forwards	115			18			6
Fixed payout annuity hedge	25			(21		)	(148		)
Total foreign exchange contracts	140			(3		)	(142		)
Other non-qualifying derivatives
Interest rate contracts
Interest rate swaps, swaptions and futures	(17		)	(15		)	(172		)
Credit contracts
Credit derivatives that purchase credit protection	(26		)	8			(10		)
Credit derivatives that assume credit risk	43			(11		)	16
Equity contracts
Equity index swaps and options	15			19			3
Commodity contracts
Commodity options	—			(9		)	—
Other
Contingent capital facility put option	(6		)	(6		)	(6		)
Modified coinsurance reinsurance contracts	(12		)	46			(34		)
Derivative instruments formerly associated with HLIKK [1]	—			—			(2		)
Total other non-qualifying derivatives	(3		)	32			(205		)
Total [2]	$	(64	)	$	(104	)	$	(353	)

[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] Excludes investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements.

Credit Risk Assumed through Credit Derivatives

The Company enters into credit default swaps that assume credit risk of a single entity or referenced index in order to synthetically replicate investment transactions that would be permissible under the Company's investment policies. The Company will receive periodic payments based on an agreed upon rate and notional amount and will only make a payment if there is a credit event. A credit event payment will typically be equal to the notional value of the swap contract less the value of the referenced security issuer’s debt obligation after the occurrence of the credit event. A credit event is generally defined as a default on contractually obligated interest or principal payments or bankruptcy of the referenced entity. The credit default swaps in which the Company assumes credit risk primarily reference investment grade single corporate issuers and baskets, which include standard diversified portfolios of corporate and CMBS issuers. The diversified portfolios of corporate issuers are established within sector concentration limits and may be divided into tranches that possess different credit ratings.

Credit Derivatives by Type

							Underlying Referenced Credit Obligation(s) [1]
	Notional Amount [2]		Fair Value			Weighted Average Years to Maturity	Type	Average Credit Rating	Offsetting Notional Amount [3]		Offsetting Fair Value [3]
As of December 31, 2016
Single name credit default swaps
Investment grade risk exposure	$	169	$	—		4 years	Corporate Credit/ Foreign Gov.	A-	$	50	$	—
Below investment grade risk exposure	77		—			1 year	Corporate Credit	B+	77		—
Basket credit default swaps [4]
Investment grade risk exposure	2,065		22			3 years	Corporate Credit	BBB+	1,204		(10		)
Below investment grade risk exposure	50		3			4 years	Corporate Credit	B	50		(3		)
Investment grade risk exposure	297		(5		)	4 years	CMBS Credit	AA	167		1
Below investment grade risk exposure	110		(26		)	1 year	CMBS Credit	CCC	111		26
Embedded credit derivatives
Investment grade risk exposure	200		201			Less than 1 year	Corporate Credit	A+	—		—
Total [5]	$	2,968	$	195					$	1,659	$	14
As of December 31, 2015
Single name credit default swaps
Investment grade risk exposure	$	190	$	(1	)	1 year	Corporate Credit/ Foreign Gov.	BBB+	$	176	$	(1	)
Below investment grade risk exposure	77		(2		)	2 years	Corporate Credit	B	77		1
Basket credit default swaps [4]
Investment grade risk exposure	3,036		22			4 years	Corporate Credit	BBB+	1,411		(13		)
Investment grade risk exposure	681		(19		)	6 years	CMBS Credit	AA+	212		1
Below investment grade risk exposure	153		(25		)	1 year	CMBS Credit	CCC	153		25
Embedded credit derivatives
Investment grade risk exposure	350		346			1 year	Corporate Credit	A+	—		—
Total [5]	$	4,487	$	321					$	2,029	$	13

[1] The average credit ratings are based on availability and are generally the midpoint of the available ratings among Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and Morningstar. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.

[2] Notional amount is equal to the maximum potential future loss amount. These derivatives are governed by agreements, clearing house rules and applicable law which include collateral posting requirements. There is no additional specific collateral related to these contracts or recourse provisions included in the contracts to offset losses.

[3] The Company has entered into offsetting credit default swaps to terminate certain existing credit default swaps, thereby offsetting the future changes in value of, or losses paid related to, the original swap.

[4] Includes $2.5 billion and $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, of notional amount on swaps of standard market indices of diversified portfolios of corporate and CMBS issuers referenced through credit default swaps. These swaps are subsequently valued based upon the observable standard market index.

[5] Excludes investments that contain an embedded credit derivative for which the Company has elected the fair value option. For further discussion, see the Fair Value Option section in Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements.

Derivative Collateral Arrangements

The Company enters into various collateral arrangements in connection with its derivative instruments, which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company pledged cash collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $623 and $488, respectively, for which the collateral receivable has been primarily included within other investments on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company also pledged securities collateral associated with derivative instruments with a fair value of $1.1 billion, which have been included in fixed maturities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The counterparties have the right to sell or re-pledge these securities.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company accepted cash collateral associated with derivative instruments of $387 and $369, respectively, which was invested and recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in fixed maturities and short-term investments with corresponding amounts recorded in other investments or other liabilities as determined by the Company's election to offset on the balance sheet. The Company also accepted securities collateral as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 with a fair value of $109 and $100, respectively, of which the Company has the ability to sell or repledge $81 and $100, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no repledged securities and did not sell any securities. In addition, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, non-cash collateral accepted was held in separate custodial accounts and was not included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

Commercial Mortgage Loans Credit Quality

	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Loan-to-value	Carrying Value		Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	Carrying Value		Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
Greater than 80%	$	20	0.59x	$	24	0.81x
65% - 80%	568		2.17x	623		1.82x
Less than 65%	5,109		2.78x	4,977		2.75x
Total commercial mortgage loans	$	5,697	2.70x	$	5,624	2.63x

Mortgage Loans by Region

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Value		Percent of Total		Carrying Value		Percent of Total
East North Central	$	293	5.1	%	$	289	5.1	%
East South Central	14		0.2	%	14		0.2	%
Middle Atlantic	534		9.4	%	384		6.8	%
Mountain	61		1.1	%	32		0.6	%
New England	345		6.1	%	446		7.9	%
Pacific	1,609		28.3	%	1,669		29.7	%
South Atlantic	1,198		21.0	%	1,174		20.9	%
West North Central	40		0.7	%	29		0.5	%
West South Central	338		5.9	%	318		5.7	%
Other [1]	1,265		22.2	%	1,269		22.6	%
Total mortgage loans	$	5,697	100.0	%	$	5,624	100.0	%

[1] Primarily represents loans collateralized by multiple properties in various regions

Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Table Text Block]

Cumulative Credit Impairments

	For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of beginning of period	$	(324	)	$	(424	)	$	(552	)
Additions for credit impairments recognized on [1]:
Securities not previously impaired	(25		)	(15		)	(15		)
Securities previously impaired	(18		)	(14		)	(22		)
Reductions for credit impairments previously recognized on:
Securities that matured or were sold during the period	59			68			138
Securities the Company made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	—			2			—
Securities due to an increase in expected cash flows	28			59			27
Balance as of end of period	$	(280	)	$	(324	)	$	(424	)

	For the years ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Intent-to-sell impairments	$	6	$	54	$	17
Credit impairments	43		29		37
Impairments on equity securities	7		16		2
Other impairments	—		3		3
Total impairments	$	56	$	102	$	59

Schedule of Participating Mortgage Loans [Table Text Block]

Valuation Allowance Activity

	For the years ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	(23	)	$	(18	)	$	(67	)
(Additions)/Reversals	—			(7		)	(4		)
Deductions	4			2			53
Balance as of December 31	$	(19	)	$	(23	)	$	(18	)

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]

Consolidated VIEs

	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Total Assets		Total Liabilities [1]		Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]		Total Assets		Total Liabilities [1]		Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]
CDO [3]	$	5	$	5	$	—	$	5	$	5	$	—
Investment funds [4]	—		—		—		159		7		151
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments [5]	—		—		—		2		—		2
Total	$	5	$	5	$	—	$	166	$	12	$	153

[1] Included in other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] The maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss amount that the Company could recognize as a reduction in net investment income or as a realized capital loss and is the cost basis of the Company’s investment.

[3] Total assets included in cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] Total assets included in fixed maturities, FVO, short-term investments, equity, AFS, and cash on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[5] Total assets included in limited partnerships and other alternative investments on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, by Loan Disclosure [Text Block]

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances

Commercial mortgage loans are considered to be impaired when management estimates that, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company reviews mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to identify potential credit losses. Among other factors, management reviews current and projected macroeconomic trends, such as unemployment rates, and property-specific factors such as rental rates, occupancy levels, LTV ratios and debt service coverage ratios (“DSCR”). In addition, the Company considers historical, current and projected delinquency rates and property values. Estimates of collectibility require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability and timing of borrower default and loss severity estimates. In addition, cash flow projections may change based upon new information about the borrower's ability to pay and/or the value of underlying collateral such as changes in projected property value estimates.

For mortgage loans that are deemed impaired, a valuation allowance is established for the difference between the carrying amount and estimated value. The mortgage loan's estimated value is most frequently the Company's share of the fair value of the collateral but may also be the Company’s share of either (a) the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or (b) the loan’s observable market price. A valuation allowance may be recorded for an individual loan or for a group of loans that have an LTV ratio of 90% or greater, a low DSCR or have other lower credit quality characteristics. Changes in valuation allowances are recorded in net realized capital gains and losses. Interest income on impaired loans is accrued to the extent it is deemed collectible and the borrowers continue to make payments under the original or restructured loan terms. The Company stops accruing interest income on loans when it is probable that the Company will not receive interest and principal payments according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The company resumes accruing interest income when it determines that sufficient collateral exists to satisfy the full amount of the loan principal and interest payments and when it is probable cash will be received in the foreseeable future. Interest income on defaulted loans is recognized when received.

As of December 31, 2016, commercial mortgage loans had an amortized cost of $5.7 billion, with a valuation allowance of $19 and a carrying value of $5.7 billion. As of December 31, 2015, commercial mortgage loans had an amortized cost of $5.6 billion, with a valuation allowance of $23 and a carrying value of $5.6 billion. Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of mortgage loans that had a valuation allowance was $31 and $82, respectively.There were no mortgage loans held-for-sale as of December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had an immaterial amount of mortgage loans that have had extensions or restructurings other than what is allowable under the original terms of the contract.

Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]

Sales of AFS Securities

	For the years ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Fixed maturities, AFS
Sale proceeds	$	17,393		$	20,615		$	22,923
Gross gains	409			372			456
Gross losses	(223		)	(317		)	(182		)
Equity securities, AFS
Sale proceeds	$	680		$	1,319		$	354
Gross gains	30			61			22
Gross losses	(28		)	(46		)	(20		)

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)

	For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)	2016			2015			2014
Gross gains on sales	$	441		$	460		$	527
Gross losses on sales	(253		)	(405		)	(250		)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(56		)	(102		)	(59		)
Valuation allowances on mortgage loans	—			(5		)	(4		)
Results of variable annuity hedge program
GMWB derivatives, net	(38		)	(87		)	5
Macro hedge program	(163		)	(46		)	(11		)
Total results of variable annuity hedge program	(201		)	(133		)	(6		)
Transactional foreign currency revaluation	(148		)	(4		)	124
Non-qualifying foreign currency derivatives	140			(3		)	(142		)
Other, net [1]	(191		)	36			(174		)
Net realized capital gains (losses)	$	(268	)	$	(156	)	$	16

[1] Includes non-qualifying derivatives, excluding variable annuity hedgeprogram and foreign currency derivatives, of$(3),$32, and$(205), respectively for2016,2015and2014. Also included for the year ended December 31, 2016, is a loss related to the write-down of investments in solar energy partnerships, which generated tax benefits, and a loss related to the sale of the Company's U.K. property and casualty run-off subsidiaries.

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Unrealized Losses on AFS Securities

Unrealized Loss Aging for AFS Securities by Type and Length of Time as of December 31, 2016

	Less Than 12 Months							12 Months or More							Total
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
ABS	$	582	$	579	$	(3	)	$	368	$	340	$	(28	)	$	950	$	919	$	(31	)
CDOs [1]	641		640		(1		)	370		367		(3		)	1,011		1,007		(4		)
CMBS	2,076		2,027		(49		)	293		274		(19		)	2,369		2,301		(68		)
Corporate	5,418		5,248		(170		)	835		781		(54		)	6,253		6,029		(224		)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies	573		550		(23		)	27		24		(3		)	600		574		(26		)
Municipal	1,567		1,498		(69		)	43		41		(2		)	1,610		1,539		(71		)
RMBS	1,655		1,624		(31		)	591		585		(6		)	2,246		2,209		(37		)
U.S. Treasuries	1,432		1,387		(45		)	—		—		—			1,432		1,387		(45		)
Total fixed maturities, AFS	13,944		13,553		(391		)	2,527		2,412		(115		)	16,471		15,965		(506		)
Equity securities, AFS [2]	330		315		(15		)	38		34		(4		)	368		349		(19		)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position	$	14,274	$	13,868	$	(406	)	$	2,565	$	2,446	$	(119	)	$	16,839	$	16,314	$	(525	)

Unrealized Loss Aging for AFS Securities by Type and Length of Time as of December 31, 2015

	Less Than 12 Months							12 Months or More							Total
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
ABS	$	1,619	$	1,609	$	(10	)	$	357	$	322	$	(35	)	$	1,976	$	1,931	$	(45	)
CDOs [1]	1,164		1,154		(10		)	1,243		1,227		(13		)	2,407		2,381		(23		)
CMBS	1,726		1,681		(45		)	189		178		(11		)	1,915		1,859		(56		)
Corporate	9,206		8,866		(340		)	656		580		(76		)	9,862		9,446		(416		)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies	679		646		(33		)	124		110		(14		)	803		756		(47		)
Municipal	440		430		(10		)	18		17		(1		)	458		447		(11		)
RMBS	1,349		1,340		(9		)	415		402		(13		)	1,764		1,742		(22		)
U.S. Treasuries	2,432		2,394		(38		)	8		8		—			2,440		2,402		(38		)
Total fixed maturities, AFS	18,615		18,120		(495		)	3,010		2,844		(163		)	21,625		20,964		(658		)
Equity securities, AFS [2]	480		449		(31		)	62		52		(10		)	542		501		(41		)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position	$	19,095	$	18,569	$	(526	)	$	3,072	$	2,896	$	(173	)	$	22,167	$	21,465	$	(699	)

[1] Unrealized losses exclude the change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities, for which changes in fair value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).

[2] As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, excludes equity securities, FVO which are included in equity securities, AFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Fixed maturities, AFS, by Contractual Maturity Year

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
One year or less	$	1,896	$	1,912	$	2,373	$	2,405
Over one year through five years	9,015		9,289		10,929		11,200
Over five years through ten years	9,038		9,245		9,322		9,497
Over ten years	19,962		21,556		20,178		21,794
Subtotal	39,911		42,002		42,802		44,896
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	13,894		14,001		14,163		14,300
Total fixed maturities, AFS	$	53,805	$	56,003	$	56,965	$	59,196

Investment Holdings [Text Block]

Net Investment Income (Loss)

	For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)	2016			2015			2014
Fixed maturities [1]	$	2,379		$	2,409		$	2,420
Equity securities	31			25			38
Mortgage loans	252			267			265
Policy loans	83			82			80
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments	214			227			294
Other investments [2]	115			138			179
Investment expenses	(113		)	(118		)	(122		)
Total net investment income	$	2,961		$	3,030		$	3,154

[1] Includes net investment income on short-term investments.

[2] Includes income from derivatives that hedge fixed maturities and qualify for hedge accounting.

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses)

	For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)	2016			2015			2014
Gross gains on sales	$	441		$	460		$	527
Gross losses on sales	(253		)	(405		)	(250		)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(56		)	(102		)	(59		)
Valuation allowances on mortgage loans	—			(5		)	(4		)
Results of variable annuity hedge program
GMWB derivatives, net	(38		)	(87		)	5
Macro hedge program	(163		)	(46		)	(11		)
Total results of variable annuity hedge program	(201		)	(133		)	(6		)
Transactional foreign currency revaluation	(148		)	(4		)	124
Non-qualifying foreign currency derivatives	140			(3		)	(142		)
Other, net [1]	(191		)	36			(174		)
Net realized capital gains (losses)	$	(268	)	$	(156	)	$	16

[1] Includes non-qualifying derivatives, excluding variable annuity hedgeprogram and foreign currency derivatives, of$(3),$32, and$(205), respectively for2016,2015and2014. Also included for the year ended December 31, 2016, is a loss related to the write-down of investments in solar energy partnerships, which generated tax benefits, and a loss related to the sale of the Company's U.K. property and casualty run-off subsidiaries.

Net realized capital gains and losses from investment sales are reported as a component of revenues and are determined on a specific identification basis. Before tax, net gains and losses on sales and impairments previously reported as unrealized gains or losses in AOCI were $132, $(32), and $217 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Sales of AFS Securities

	For the years ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Fixed maturities, AFS
Sale proceeds	$	17,393		$	20,615		$	22,923
Gross gains	409			372			456
Gross losses	(223		)	(317		)	(182		)
Equity securities, AFS
Sale proceeds	$	680		$	1,319		$	354
Gross gains	30			61			22
Gross losses	(28		)	(46		)	(20		)

Sales of AFS securities in 2016 were primarily a result of duration and liquidity management, as well as tactical changes to the portfolio as a result of changing market conditions.

Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

The Company will record an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) for fixed maturities and certain equity securities with debt-like characteristics (collectively “debt securities”) if the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before a recovery in value. A corresponding charge is recorded in net realized capital losses equal to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost basis of the security.

The Company will also record an OTTI for those debt securities for which the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For these securities, the excess of the amortized cost basis over its fair value is separated into the portion representing a credit OTTI, which is recorded in net realized capital losses, and the remaining non-credit amount, which is recorded in OCI. The credit OTTI amount is the excess of its amortized cost basis over the Company’s best estimate of discounted expected future cash flows. The non-credit amount is the excess of the best estimate of the discounted expected future cash flows over the fair value. The Company’s best estimate of discounted expected future cash flows becomes the new cost basis and accretes prospectively into net investment income over the estimated remaining life of the security.

The Company’s best estimate of expected future cash flows is a quantitative and qualitative process that incorporates information received from third-party sources along with certain internal assumptions regarding the future performance. The Company considers, but is not limited to (a) changes in the financial condition of the issuer and the underlying collateral, (b) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments, (c) credit ratings, (d) payment structure of the security and (e) the extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost of the security.

For non-structured securities, assumptions include, but are not limited to, economic and industry-specific trends and fundamentals, security-specific developments, industry earnings multiples and the issuer’s ability to restructure and execute asset sales.

For structured securities, assumptions include, but are not limited to, various performance indicators such as historical and projected default and recovery rates, credit ratings, current and projected delinquency rates, loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios, average cumulative collateral loss rates that vary by vintage year, prepayment speeds, and property value declines. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries which may include estimating the underlying collateral value.

The Company will also record an OTTI for equity securities where the decline in the fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary. A corresponding charge is recorded in net realized capital losses equal to the difference between the fair value and cost basis of the security. The previous cost basis less the impairment becomes the new cost basis. The Company’s evaluation and assumptions used to determine an equity OTTI include, but is not limited to, (a) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost of the security, (b) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the issuer is current on preferred stock dividends and (d) the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery. For the remaining equity securities which are determined to be temporarily impaired, the Company asserts its intent and ability to retain those equity securities until the price recovers.

Impairments in Earnings by Type

	For the years ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Intent-to-sell impairments	$	6	$	54	$	17
Credit impairments	43		29		37
Impairments on equity securities	7		16		2
Other impairments	—		3		3
Total impairments	$	56	$	102	$	59

Cumulative Credit Impairments

	For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of beginning of period	$	(324	)	$	(424	)	$	(552	)
Additions for credit impairments recognized on [1]:
Securities not previously impaired	(25		)	(15		)	(15		)
Securities previously impaired	(18		)	(14		)	(22		)
Reductions for credit impairments previously recognized on:
Securities that matured or were sold during the period	59			68			138
Securities the Company made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	—			2			—
Securities due to an increase in expected cash flows	28			59			27
Balance as of end of period	$	(280	)	$	(324	)	$	(424	)

[1] These additions are included in the net OTTI losses recognized in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Available-for-Sale Securities

AFS Securities by Type

	December 31, 2016												December 31, 2015
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Non- Credit OTTI [1]			Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Non- Credit OTTI [1]
ABS	$	2,396	$	17	$	(31	)	$	2,382	$	—		$	2,520	$	24	$	(45	)	$	2,499	$	—
CDOs [2]	1,853		67		(4		)	1,916		—			2,989		75		(23		)	3,038		—
CMBS	4,907		97		(68		)	4,936		(6		)	4,668		105		(56		)	4,717		(8		)
Corporate	24,380		1,510		(224		)	25,666		—			25,876		1,342		(416		)	26,802		(3		)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies	1,164		33		(26		)	1,171		—			1,321		34		(47		)	1,308		—
Municipal	10,825		732		(71		)	11,486		—			11,124		1,008		(11		)	12,121		—
RMBS	4,738		66		(37		)	4,767		—			3,986		82		(22		)	4,046		—
U.S. Treasuries	3,542		182		(45		)	3,679		—			4,481		222		(38		)	4,665		—
Total fixed maturities, AFS	53,805		2,704		(506		)	56,003		(6		)	56,965		2,892		(658		)	59,196		(11		)
Equity securities, AFS [3]	1,020		96		(19		)	1,097		—			842		38		(41		)	839		—
Total AFS securities	$	54,825	$	2,800	$	(525	)	$	57,100	$	(6	)	$	57,807	$	2,930	$	(699	)	$	60,035	$	(11	)

[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 December 31, 2016 and 2015.

[2] Gross unrealized gains (losses) exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities. Subsequent changes in value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).

[3] Excludes equity securities, FVO, with a cost and fair value of $293 and $282 as of December 31, 2015. The Company held no equity securities, FVO as of December 31, 2016.

Fixed maturities, AFS, by Contractual Maturity Year

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
One year or less	$	1,896	$	1,912	$	2,373	$	2,405
Over one year through five years	9,015		9,289		10,929		11,200
Over five years through ten years	9,038		9,245		9,322		9,497
Over ten years	19,962		21,556		20,178		21,794
Subtotal	39,911		42,002		42,802		44,896
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	13,894		14,001		14,163		14,300
Total fixed maturities, AFS	$	53,805	$	56,003	$	56,965	$	59,196

Estimated maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to security call or prepayment provisions. Due to the potential for variability in payment speeds (i.e. prepayments or extensions), mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are not categorized by contractual maturity.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company aims to maintain a diversified investment portfolio including issuer, sector and geographic stratification, where applicable, and has established certain exposure limits, diversification standards and review procedures to mitigate credit risk. The Company had no investment exposure to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of the Company's stockholders' equity, other than the U.S. government and certain U.S. government securities as of December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2016, other than U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies, the Company’s three largest exposures by issuer were the State of California, Morgan Stanley, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which each comprised less than 1% of total invested assets. As of December 31, 2015, other than U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies, the Company’s three largest exposures by issuer were Morgan Stanley, the State of California, and JP Morgan Chase &Co. which each comprised less than 1% of total invested assets. The Company’s three largest exposures by sector as of December 31, 2016, were municipal securities, utilities, and financial services which comprised approximately 16%, 8% and 8%, respectively, of total invested assets. The Company’s three largest exposures by sector as of December 31, 2015 were municipal investments, financial services, and CMBS which comprised approximately 17%, 9% and 6%, respectively, of total invested assets.

Unrealized Losses on AFS Securities

Unrealized Loss Aging for AFS Securities by Type and Length of Time as of December 31, 2016

	Less Than 12 Months							12 Months or More							Total
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
ABS	$	582	$	579	$	(3	)	$	368	$	340	$	(28	)	$	950	$	919	$	(31	)
CDOs [1]	641		640		(1		)	370		367		(3		)	1,011		1,007		(4		)
CMBS	2,076		2,027		(49		)	293		274		(19		)	2,369		2,301		(68		)
Corporate	5,418		5,248		(170		)	835		781		(54		)	6,253		6,029		(224		)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies	573		550		(23		)	27		24		(3		)	600		574		(26		)
Municipal	1,567		1,498		(69		)	43		41		(2		)	1,610		1,539		(71		)
RMBS	1,655		1,624		(31		)	591		585		(6		)	2,246		2,209		(37		)
U.S. Treasuries	1,432		1,387		(45		)	—		—		—			1,432		1,387		(45		)
Total fixed maturities, AFS	13,944		13,553		(391		)	2,527		2,412		(115		)	16,471		15,965		(506		)
Equity securities, AFS [2]	330		315		(15		)	38		34		(4		)	368		349		(19		)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position	$	14,274	$	13,868	$	(406	)	$	2,565	$	2,446	$	(119	)	$	16,839	$	16,314	$	(525	)

Unrealized Loss Aging for AFS Securities by Type and Length of Time as of December 31, 2015

	Less Than 12 Months							12 Months or More							Total
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
ABS	$	1,619	$	1,609	$	(10	)	$	357	$	322	$	(35	)	$	1,976	$	1,931	$	(45	)
CDOs [1]	1,164		1,154		(10		)	1,243		1,227		(13		)	2,407		2,381		(23		)
CMBS	1,726		1,681		(45		)	189		178		(11		)	1,915		1,859		(56		)
Corporate	9,206		8,866		(340		)	656		580		(76		)	9,862		9,446		(416		)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies	679		646		(33		)	124		110		(14		)	803		756		(47		)
Municipal	440		430		(10		)	18		17		(1		)	458		447		(11		)
RMBS	1,349		1,340		(9		)	415		402		(13		)	1,764		1,742		(22		)
U.S. Treasuries	2,432		2,394		(38		)	8		8		—			2,440		2,402		(38		)
Total fixed maturities, AFS	18,615		18,120		(495		)	3,010		2,844		(163		)	21,625		20,964		(658		)
Equity securities, AFS [2]	480		449		(31		)	62		52		(10		)	542		501		(41		)
Total securities in an unrealized loss position	$	19,095	$	18,569	$	(526	)	$	3,072	$	2,896	$	(173	)	$	22,167	$	21,465	$	(699	)

[1] Unrealized losses exclude the change in fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities, for which changes in fair value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).

[2] As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, excludes equity securities, FVO which are included in equity securities, AFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of December 31, 2016, AFS securities in an unrealized loss position consisted of 4,187 securities, primarily in the corporate sector, which were depressed primarily due to an increase in interest rates and/or widening of credit spreads since the securities were purchased. As of December 31, 2016, 95% of these securities were depressed less than 20% of cost or amortized cost. The decrease in unrealized losses during 2016 was primarily attributable to tighter credit spreads, partially offset by higher interest rates.

Most of the securities depressed for twelve months or more relate to corporate securities concentrated in the financial services and energy sectors, student loan ABS, and structured securities with exposure to commercial real estate. Corporate financial services securities and student loan ABS were primarily depressed because the securities have floating-rate coupons and have long-dated maturities, and current credit spreads are wider than when these securities were purchased. Corporate securities within the energy sector are primarily depressed due to a lower level of oil prices. For certain commercial real estate securities, current market spreads are wider than spreads at the securities' respective purchase dates. The Company neither has an intention to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell the securities outlined in the preceding discussion.

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances

Commercial mortgage loans are considered to be impaired when management estimates that, based upon current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company reviews mortgage loans on a quarterly basis to identify potential credit losses. Among other factors, management reviews current and projected macroeconomic trends, such as unemployment rates, and property-specific factors such as rental rates, occupancy levels, LTV ratios and debt service coverage ratios (“DSCR”). In addition, the Company considers historical, current and projected delinquency rates and property values. Estimates of collectibility require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability and timing of borrower default and loss severity estimates. In addition, cash flow projections may change based upon new information about the borrower's ability to pay and/or the value of underlying collateral such as changes in projected property value estimates.

For mortgage loans that are deemed impaired, a valuation allowance is established for the difference between the carrying amount and estimated value. The mortgage loan's estimated value is most frequently the Company's share of the fair value of the collateral but may also be the Company’s share of either (a) the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or (b) the loan’s observable market price. A valuation allowance may be recorded for an individual loan or for a group of loans that have an LTV ratio of 90% or greater, a low DSCR or have other lower credit quality characteristics. Changes in valuation allowances are recorded in net realized capital gains and losses. Interest income on impaired loans is accrued to the extent it is deemed collectible and the borrowers continue to make payments under the original or restructured loan terms. The Company stops accruing interest income on loans when it is probable that the Company will not receive interest and principal payments according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The company resumes accruing interest income when it determines that sufficient collateral exists to satisfy the full amount of the loan principal and interest payments and when it is probable cash will be received in the foreseeable future. Interest income on defaulted loans is recognized when received.

As of December 31, 2016, commercial mortgage loans had an amortized cost of $5.7 billion, with a valuation allowance of $19 and a carrying value of $5.7 billion. As of December 31, 2015, commercial mortgage loans had an amortized cost of $5.6 billion, with a valuation allowance of $23 and a carrying value of $5.6 billion. Amortized cost represents carrying value prior to valuation allowances, if any.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of mortgage loans that had a valuation allowance was $31 and $82, respectively.There were no mortgage loans held-for-sale as of December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had an immaterial amount of mortgage loans that have had extensions or restructurings other than what is allowable under the original terms of the contract.

The following table presents the activity within the Company’s valuation allowance for mortgage loans. These loans have been evaluated both individually and collectively for impairment. Loans evaluated collectively for impairment are immaterial.

Valuation Allowance Activity

	For the years ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	(23	)	$	(18	)	$	(67	)
(Additions)/Reversals	—			(7		)	(4		)
Deductions	4			2			53
Balance as of December 31	$	(19	)	$	(23	)	$	(18	)

The weighted-average LTV ratio of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was 52% as of December 31, 2016, while the weighted-average LTV ratio at origination of these loans was 62%. LTV ratios compare the loan amount to the value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan. The loan collateral values are updated no less than annually through reviews of the underlying properties. Factors considered in estimating property values include, among other things, actual and expected property cash flows, geographic market data and the ratio of the property's net operating income to its value. DSCR compares a property’s net operating income to the borrower’s principal and interest payments. The weighted average DSCR of the Company’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was 2.70x as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the Company held one delinquent commercial mortgage loan past due by 90 days or more. The loan had a total carrying value and valuation allowance of $15 and $16, respectively, and was not accruing income. As of December 31, 2015, the Company held two delinquent commercial mortgage loans past due by 90 days or more. The loans had a total carrying value and valuation allowance of $17 and $20, respectively, and neither loan was accruing income.

Commercial Mortgage Loans Credit Quality

	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Loan-to-value	Carrying Value		Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	Carrying Value		Avg. Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
Greater than 80%	$	20	0.59x	$	24	0.81x
65% - 80%	568		2.17x	623		1.82x
Less than 65%	5,109		2.78x	4,977		2.75x
Total commercial mortgage loans	$	5,697	2.70x	$	5,624	2.63x

Mortgage Loans by Region

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Value		Percent of Total		Carrying Value		Percent of Total
East North Central	$	293	5.1	%	$	289	5.1	%
East South Central	14		0.2	%	14		0.2	%
Middle Atlantic	534		9.4	%	384		6.8	%
Mountain	61		1.1	%	32		0.6	%
New England	345		6.1	%	446		7.9	%
Pacific	1,609		28.3	%	1,669		29.7	%
South Atlantic	1,198		21.0	%	1,174		20.9	%
West North Central	40		0.7	%	29		0.5	%
West South Central	338		5.9	%	318		5.7	%
Other [1]	1,265		22.2	%	1,269		22.6	%
Total mortgage loans	$	5,697	100.0	%	$	5,624	100.0	%

[1] Primarily represents loans collateralized by multiple properties in various regions.

Mortgage Loans by Property Type

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Value		Percent of Total		Carrying Value		Percent of Total
Commercial
Agricultural	$	16	0.3	%	$	26	0.5	%
Industrial	1,468		25.7	%	1,422		25.3	%
Lodging	25		0.4	%	26		0.5	%
Multifamily	1,365		24.0	%	1,345		23.9	%
Office	1,361		23.9	%	1,547		27.5	%
Retail	1,036		18.2	%	1,109		19.7	%
Other	426		7.5	%	149		2.6	%
Total mortgage loans	$	5,697	100.0	%	$	5,624	100.0	%

Mortgage Servicing

The Company originates, sells and services commercial mortgage loans on behalf of third parties and recognizes servicing fees income over the period that services are performed. As of December 31, 2016, the Company serviced commercial mortgage loans with a total outstanding principal of $901, of which $251 was serviced on behalf of third parties and $650 was retained and reported on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, including $124 in separate account assets. As of December 31, 2015, under this program the Company serviced commercial mortgage loans with a total outstanding principal balance of $359, of which $129 was serviced on behalf of third parties and $230 was retained and reported as assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, including $54 in separate account assets. Servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and were zero as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 because servicing fees were market-level fees at origination and remain adequate to compensate the Company for servicing the loans.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company is engaged with various special purpose entities and other entities that are deemed to be VIEs primarily as an investor through normal investment activities but also as an investment manager and as a means of accessing capital through a contingent capital facility ("the facility").

A VIE is an entity that either has investors that lack certain essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest, such as simple majority kick-out rights, or lacks sufficient funds to finance its own activities without financial support provided by other entities. The Company performs ongoing qualitative assessments of its VIEs to determine whether the Company has a controlling financial interest in the VIE and therefore is the primary beneficiary. The Company is deemed to have a controlling financial interest when it has both the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Based on the Company’s assessment, if it determines it is the primary beneficiary, the Company consolidates the VIE in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated VIEs

The following table presents the carrying value of assets and liabilities, and the maximum exposure to loss relating to the VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Creditors have no recourse against the Company in the event of default by these VIEs nor does the Company have any implied or unfunded commitments to these VIEs. The Company’s financial or other support provided to these VIEs is limited to its collateral or investment management services and original investment.

Consolidated VIEs

	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Total Assets		Total Liabilities [1]		Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]		Total Assets		Total Liabilities [1]		Maximum Exposure to Loss [2]
CDO [3]	$	5	$	5	$	—	$	5	$	5	$	—
Investment funds [4]	—		—		—		159		7		151
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments [5]	—		—		—		2		—		2
Total	$	5	$	5	$	—	$	166	$	12	$	153

[1] Included in other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] The maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum loss amount that the Company could recognize as a reduction in net investment income or as a realized capital loss and is the cost basis of the Company’s investment.

[3] Total assets included in cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] Total assets included in fixed maturities, FVO, short-term investments, equity, AFS, and cash on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[5] Total assets included in limited partnerships and other alternative investments on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted new consolidation guidance and determined that three investment funds, that were previously identified as consolidated VIEs and for which the Company has management and control of the investments, are voting interest entities under the new consolidation guidance. The Company still owns a majority interest in one investment fund that is still consolidated on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements; however, as of December 31, 2016, this fund is not included as a VIE in the table above. The remaining two investment funds previously identified as consolidated VIEs were disposed of during 2016.

CDO represents a structured investment vehicle for which the Company has a controlling financial interest as it provides collateral management services, earns a fee for those services and also holds investments in the security issued by this vehicle.

Non-Consolidated VIEs

The Company, through normal investment activities, makes passive investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments. Upon the adoption of the new consolidation guidance, discussed above, these investments are now considered VIEs. For these non-consolidated VIEs, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary as it has no ability to direct activities that could significantly affect the economic performance of the investments. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is limited to the total carrying value of $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, which are included in limited partnerships and other alternative investments in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has outstanding commitments totaling $1.2 billion and $692 million, respectively, whereby the Company is committed to fund these investments and may be called by the partnership during the commitment period to fund the purchase of new investments and partnership expenses. These investments are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not take an active role in management.

In addition, the Company also makes passive investments in structured securities issued by VIEs for which the Company is not the manager and, therefore does not consolidate. These investments are included in ABS, CDOs, CMBS and RMBS in the Available-for-Sale Securities table and fixed maturities, FVO, in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has not provided financial or other support with respect to these investments other than its original investment. For these investments, the Company determined it is not the primary beneficiary due to the relative size of the Company’s investment in comparison to the principal amount of the structured securities issued by the VIEs, the level of credit subordination which reduces the Company’s obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits and the Company’s inability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these investments is limited to the amount of the Company’s investment.

The Company also holds a significant variable interest in a VIE for which it is not the primary beneficiary. This VIE represents a contingent capital facility ("facility") that has been held by the Company since February 2007 and for which the Company has no implied or unfunded commitments. Assets and liabilities recorded for the contingent capital facility were $1 and $3, respectively, as of December 31, 2016, and $7 and $8, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. Additionally, the Company has a maximum exposure to loss of $3 and $3, respectively, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, which represents the issuance costs that were incurred to establish the facility. The Company does not have a controlling financial interest as it does not manage the assets of the facility nor does it have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the facility, as the asset manager has significant variable interest in the vehicle. The Company’s financial or other support provided to the facility is limited to providing ongoing support to cover the facility’s operating expenses. As such, the Company does not consolidate its variable interest in the facility. For further information on the facility, see Note 13 - Debt of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Securities Lending, Repurchase Agreements and Other Collateral Transactions

The Company enters into securities financing transactions as a way to earn income on securities loaned (securities lending) or on securities sold and repurchased (repurchase agreements).

Under a securities lending program, the Company lends certain fixed maturities within the corporate, foreign government/government agencies, and municipal sectors as well as equity securities to qualifying third-party borrowers in return for collateral in the form of cash or securities. For domestic and non-domestic loaned securities, respectively, borrowers provide collateral of 102% and 105% of the fair value of the securities lent at the time of the loan. Borrowers will return the securities to the Company for cash or securities collateral at maturity dates generally of 90 days or less. Security collateral on deposit from counterparties in connection with securities lending transactions may not be sold or re-pledged, except in the event of default by the counterparty, and is not reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Additional collateral is obtained if the fair value of the collateral falls below 100% of the fair value of the loaned securities. The agreements provide the counterparty the right to sell or re-pledge the securities loaned. If cash, rather than securities, is received as collateral, the cash is typically invested in short-term investments or fixed maturities and is reported as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. Income associated with securities lending transactions is reported as a component of net investment income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of securities on loan and the associated liability for cash collateral received was $488 and $461, respectively. The Company also received securities collateral of $39 which was not included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of securities on loan and the associated liability for cash collateral received was $67 and $68, respectively.

From time to time, the Company enters into repurchase agreements to manage liquidity or to earn incremental spread income. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which one party (transferor) agrees to sell securities to another party (transferee) in return for cash (or securities), with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the same securities at a specified price at a later date. A dollar roll is a type of repurchase agreement where a mortgage backed security is sold with an agreement to repurchase substantially the same security at a specified date in the future. These transactions generally have a contractual maturity of ninety days or less.

Under repurchase agreements, the Company transfers collateral of U.S. government and government agency securities and receives cash. For repurchase agreements, the Company obtains cash in an amount equal to at least 95% of the fair value of the securities transferred. The agreements require additional collateral to be transferred when necessary and provide the counterparty the right to sell or re-pledge the securities transferred. The cash received from the repurchase program is typically invested in short-term investments or fixed maturities and is reported as an asset on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Repurchase agreements include master netting provisions that provide both counterparties the right to offset claims and apply securities held by them with respect to their obligations in the event of a default. Although the Company has the contractual right to offset claims, fixed maturities do not meet the specific conditions for net presentation under U.S. GAAP. The Company accounts for the repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings. The securities transferred under repurchase agreements are included in fixed maturities, AFS with the obligation to repurchase those securities recorded in other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company reported in fixed maturities, AFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheets financial collateral pledged relating to repurchase agreements of $226 in fixed maturities, AFS and $22 in cash. The Company reported a corresponding obligation to repurchase the pledged securities of $241 in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015, the Company reported financial collateral pledged relating to repurchase agreements $440 in fixed maturities, AFS and $5 in cash. The Company reported a corresponding obligation to repurchase the pledged securities of $445 in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had no outstanding dollar roll transactions as of December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

The Company is required by law to deposit securities with government agencies in certain states in which it conducts business. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of securities on deposit was approximately $2.5 billion.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has pledged as collateral $102 and $35, respectively, of U.S. government securities and government agency securities or cash primarily related to certain bank loan participations committed to through a limited partnership agreement. These amounts also include collateral related to letters of credit.

For disclosure of collateral in support of derivative transactions, refer to the Derivative Collateral Arrangements section of Note 7 - Derivative Instruments.

Equity Method Investments

The majority of the Company's investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments, including hedge funds, real estate funds, and private equity and other funds (collectively, “limited partnerships”), are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The remainder of investments in limited partnerships and other alternative investments consists primarily of investments in insurer-owned life insurance accounted for at cash surrender value and a wholly-owned fund of funds accounted for under investment fund accounting measured at fair value as discussed in Note 5Fair Value Measurements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This fund of funds was liquidated during 2016. For those limited partnerships and other alternative investments accounted for under the equity method, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as of December 31, 2016 is limited to the total carrying value of $2.1 billion. In addition, the Company has outstanding commitments totaling $1.2 billion to fund limited partnership and other alternative investments as of December 31, 2016. The Company’s investments in limited partnerships are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not take an active role in the management of the limited partnerships. In 2016, aggregate investment income from limited partnerships and other alternative investments exceeded 10% of the Company’s pre-tax consolidated net income. Accordingly, the Company is disclosing aggregated summarized financial data for the Company’s limited partnership investments. This aggregated summarized financial data does not represent the Company’s proportionate share of limited partnership assets or earnings. Aggregate total assets of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $114.4 billion and $95.5 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Aggregate total liabilities of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $19.1 billion and $15.2 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Aggregate net investment income of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $1.0 billion, $1.0 billion and $3.6 billion for the periods ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Aggregate net income of the limited partnerships in which the Company invested totaled $8.0 billion, $6.3 billion and $9.6 billion for the periods ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of, and for the period ended, December 31, 2016, the aggregated summarized financial data reflects the latest available financial information.

Investment Income [Table Text Block]

Net Investment Income (Loss)

	For the years ended December 31,
(Before-tax)	2016			2015			2014
Fixed maturities [1]	$	2,379		$	2,409		$	2,420
Equity securities	31			25			38
Mortgage loans	252			267			265
Policy loans	83			82			80
Limited partnerships and other alternative investments	214			227			294
Other investments [2]	115			138			179
Investment expenses	(113		)	(118		)	(122		)
Total net investment income	$	2,961		$	3,030		$	3,154

[1] Includes net investment income on short-term investments.

[2] Includes income from derivatives that hedge fixed maturities and qualify for hedge accounting.

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

AFS Securities by Type

	December 31, 2016												December 31, 2015
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Non- Credit OTTI [1]			Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Non- Credit OTTI [1]
ABS	$	2,396	$	17	$	(31	)	$	2,382	$	—		$	2,520	$	24	$	(45	)	$	2,499	$	—
CDOs [2]	1,853		67		(4		)	1,916		—			2,989		75		(23		)	3,038		—
CMBS	4,907		97		(68		)	4,936		(6		)	4,668		105		(56		)	4,717		(8		)
Corporate	24,380		1,510		(224		)	25,666		—			25,876		1,342		(416		)	26,802		(3		)
Foreign govt./govt. agencies	1,164		33		(26		)	1,171		—			1,321		34		(47		)	1,308		—
Municipal	10,825		732		(71		)	11,486		—			11,124		1,008		(11		)	12,121		—
RMBS	4,738		66		(37		)	4,767		—			3,986		82		(22		)	4,046		—
U.S. Treasuries	3,542		182		(45		)	3,679		—			4,481		222		(38		)	4,665		—
Total fixed maturities, AFS	53,805		2,704		(506		)	56,003		(6		)	56,965		2,892		(658		)	59,196		(11		)
Equity securities, AFS [3]	1,020		96		(19		)	1,097		—			842		38		(41		)	839		—
Total AFS securities	$	54,825	$	2,800	$	(525	)	$	57,100	$	(6	)	$	57,807	$	2,930	$	(699	)	$	60,035	$	(11	)

[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 December 31, 2016 and 2015.

[2] Gross unrealized gains (losses) exclude the fair value of bifurcated embedded derivatives within certain securities. Subsequent changes in value are recorded in net realized capital gains (losses).

[3] Excludes equity securities, FVO, with a cost and fair value of $293 and $282 as of December 31, 2015. The Company held no equity securities, FVO as of December 31, 2016.