Commitments, Contingencies, And Guarantees (Net Realized Gains (Losses) Of Derivative Instrument Activity In Consolidated Statement Of Operations) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	$ (445)		$ (117)		$ (211)		$ (138)
Foreign Exchange Future [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	8		(3)		1		(18)
All Other Futures Contracts And Options [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(45)		(24)		(20)		(27)
Convertibles and Bonds with Warrants Attached [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(12)		(21)		12		(22)
Dollar Rolls [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)							(1)
Investment And Embedded Derivative Instruments [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(49)		(48)		(7)		(68)
Guaranteed Living Benefits [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	(467)	[1]	(70)	[1]	(39)	[1]	1	[1]
Single-Stock Future [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	65	[2]			(148)	[2]	(63)	[2]
Options On Equity Market Indices [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	5	[2]	3	[2]	(13)	[2]	(5)	[2]
Credit Default Swap [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	1		(2)		(4)		(3)
Guaranteed Living Benefit And Other Derivative Instruments [Member]
Commitments Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	$ (396)		$ (69)		$ (204)		$ (70)

[1] Excludes foreign exchange gains (losses) related to GLB.

[2] Related to GMDB and GLB blocks of business.