General (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011 Previously Reported	Jun. 30, 2011 Previously Reported	Dec. 31, 2011 Previously Reported	Jan. 02, 2011 Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Adopted accounting standards
Changes in shareholders' equity									$ 399
Income Statement
Amortization of DAC	942	960	1,921	1,944		1,018	2,069
Operating costs and expenses	996	868	2,013	1,768		802	1,640
Gain (loss) on disposition of operations	3	7	6	(13)		6	(17)
Income tax benefit	179	(412)	525	(194)		(409)	(194)
Net loss	423	(624)	1,189	(100)		(620)	(101)
Net income (loss) per share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ (1.19)	$ 2.40	$ (0.19)		$ (1.19)	$ (0.19)
Net income (loss) per share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ (1.19)	$ 2.39	$ (0.19)		$ (1.19)	$ (0.19)
Financial Position
DAC	3,644		3,644		3,871			4,443
Deferred income taxes					722			520
Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits	14,640		14,640		14,406			14,449
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	6,394		6,394		5,978			5,929
Retained income	32,880		32,880		31,909			32,321
Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves	(684)		(684)		(467)			(504)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 58		$ 58		$ 56			$ 57