Acquisitions and Dispositions - Financial results from discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Costs and expenses
Income tax expense									$ (19)	$ 10	$ 126
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (321)	$ 325	$ 196	$ (3,793)	$ 354	$ (63)	$ 144	$ (288)	(3,593)	147	520
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (321)	$ 325	$ 196	$ (3,793)	$ 354	$ (63)	$ 144	$ (288)	(3,593)	147	520
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Revenues
Life premiums and contract charges									1,109	1,350	1,356
Net investment income									1,336	1,262	1,431
Net gains (losses) on investments and derivatives									195	269	347
Total revenues									2,640	2,881	3,134
Costs and expenses
Life contract benefits									1,315	1,726	1,438
Interest credited to contractholder funds									414	605	606
Amortization of DAC									87	153	180
Operating costs and expenses									163	238	268
Restructuring and related charges									31	7	2
Total costs and expenses									2,010	2,729	2,494
Amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance									4	4	6
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense									634	156	646
Income tax expense									136	9	126
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									498	147	520
Loss on disposition of operations									(4,315)	0	0
Income tax benefit									(224)	0	0
Loss on disposition of operations, net of tax									(4,091)	0	0
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax									$ 498	$ 147	$ 520