Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details 14) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	$ 151,155	$ 141,436
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,045)	(458)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	3,102	4,682
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(4,147)	(5,140)
International [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	37,200	32,300
GMWB hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	19,289	16,406
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	525	894
GMWB hedging instruments [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	19,289	16,406
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	525	894
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	670	1,022
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(145)	(128)
Macro Hedge Program [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	5,458	6,819
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	173	357
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	173	357
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0
Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	8,931	8,943
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	182	335
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	230	359
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(48)	(24)
Cash Flow Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	8,646	8,652
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	180	329
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	204	329
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(24)
Cash flow hedges foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	285	291
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	2	6
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	26	30
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(24)	(24)
Fair value hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,411	1,684
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	6	(117)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	73	63
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(67)	(180)
Fair Value Hedging Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,226	1,007
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(65)	(78)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	2	0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(67)	(78)
Fair value hedges - Foreign currency swaps [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	185	677
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	71	(39)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	71	63
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0	(102)
Non-qualifying strategies [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	140,813	130,809
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,233)	(676)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	2,799	4,260
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(4,032)	(4,936)
Interest Rate Swaps Caps Floors and Futures [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	9,614	10,144
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(562)	(583)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	393	531
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(955)	(1,114)
Foreign Currency Swaps and Forwards Non-qualifying as Hedges [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	393	380
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(16)	(12)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	5	6
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(21)	(18)
3 Win Related Foreign Currency Swaps [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,054	2,054
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	3	184
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	15	184
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(12)
Fixed annuity hedging instruments [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,933	1,945
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	364	514
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	371	540
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(7)	(26)
Credit Derivatives that Purchase Credit Protection [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	1,368	1,721
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	3	36
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	27	56
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(24)	(20)
Credit Derivatives that Assume Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	3,001	2,952
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(511)	(648)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	7	2
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(518)	(650)
Credit Derivatives in Offsetting Positions [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	8,645	8,189
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(51)	(57)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	122	164
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(173)	(221)
Equity index swaps options [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	550	1,501
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	24	27
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	39	40
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(15)	(13)
GMWB product derivatives [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	33,227	34,569
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,683)	(2,538)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(1,683)	(2,538)
GMWB Reinsurance [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	6,872	7,193
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	308	443
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	308	443
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0
International program product derivatives [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	2,694	2,710
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	(38)	(71)
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(38)	(71)
International program hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	45,215	33,726
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	201	750
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	642	887
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	(441)	(137)
Contingent Capital Facility Put Option [Member]
Derivative Classification by Hedge Destination and Derivative Type
Net Derivatives, Notional Amount	500	500
Net Derivatives, Fair Value	27	28
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	27	28
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$ 0