Investments (Details 8) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Credit Losses on Fixed Income Securities
Beginning balance	$ (372)	$ (424)	$ (380)	$ (513)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired	(7)	(1)	(10)	(2)
Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired	(8)	(5)	(14)	(8)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected	23	28	37	61
Reduction in credit loss for securities the Company has made the decision to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	0	0	0	0
Change in credit loss due to accretion of increase in cash flows	0	1	3	2
Ending balance	(364)	(401)	(364)	(401)
Linco in Benefit Life Company [Member]
Credit Losses on Fixed Income Securities
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 59