Investments in Joint Ventures (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Number Of Investments Held In Joint Ventures	12
Minimum Percentage Of Noncontrolling Ownership InterestIn Joint Ventures	33.00%
Maximum Percentage Of Noncontrolling Ownership Interest In Joint Ventures	85.00%
Equity Investments Fair Value Joint Ventures	$ 1.8	$ 1.6
Accounts Proportionate Share Of Mortgage Loans Payable Within Joint Venture Investments At Fair Value	1.5	1.6
Accounts Share In Outstanding Principal Of Mortgage Loans Payable Within Joint Ventures	$ 1.5	$ 1.6
DDR TC LLC [Member]
Percentage Of Net Assets In Joint Venture Investments	3.20%
Percentage Of Invested Assets In Joint Venture Investments	2.80%

Value of Account’s proportionate share of the mortgage loans payable at fair value held within the joint venture investments.

No definition available.

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Value of Account’s proportionate share of the mortgage loans payable at fair value held within the joint venture investments.

No definition available.

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The Account's share of fair value investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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Maximum percentage of noncontrolling ownership interest in joint ventures.

No definition available.

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Minimum percentage of noncontrolling ownership interest in joint ventures.

No definition available.

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Number joint ventures investments held by the Account.

No definition available.

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The Account's most significant joint venture investment as a percentage of the Account's invested assets.

No definition available.

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The Account's most significant joint venture investment as a percentage of the Account's net assets.

No definition available.

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