Separate Accounts, Death Benefits and Other Insurance Benefit Features (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Age	Dec. 31, 2011
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	$ 29,649
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	5,565
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	1,147
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant
Less: General Account Value Subject to U.S. GMDB	7,335
Subtotal Separate Account Liabilities with U.S. GMDB	72,895
Separate Account Liabilities without U.S. GMDB	79,507
Total Separate Account Liabilities	152,402	143,870
MAV Only [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	21,849
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	4,352
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	907
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	69
With 5% rollup [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	1,567
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	398
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	124
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	69
With Earnings Protection Benefit Rider (EPB) [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	5,618
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	680
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	87
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	65
With 5% rollup & EPB [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	615
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	135
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	29
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	68
Asset Protection Benefit ("APB") [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	23,135
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	1,522
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	988
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	66
Lifetime Income Benefit ("LIB") - Death Benefit [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	1,153
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	47
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	47
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	64
Reset [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	3,343
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	165
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	163
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	68
Return of Premium ("ROP")/Other [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	22,950
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	425
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	405
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	66
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	80,230
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	7,724
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	2,750
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	67
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	29,396
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	7,580
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	6,469
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	70
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member] | JAPAN [Member]
Individual Variable and Group Annuity Account Value by GMDB/GMIB Type
Account Value ("AV")	27,350
Net Amount at Risk ("NAR")	4,785
Retained Net Amount at Risk ("RNAR")	$ 4,785
Weighted Average Attained Age of Annuitant	70