Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Balance as of December 31	$ (917)
Change in net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses	(17)	5	(10)
Balance as of December 31	(876)	(917)
Tax impact for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Investment securities	149	(272)	749
Cash flow hedges	3	11	29
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(40)	22	33
Net investment hedges	(14)	(396)	0
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses	(7)	18	(28)
Total tax impact	91	(617)	783
Error Correction Prior Period Adjustments [Member]
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Net translation of investments in foreign operations	190
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Balance as of December 31	(917)	(712)	(1,606)
Impact of the Adoption of new GAAP		(315)
Net unrealized gains (losses)	243	(141)	1,329
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings	(6)	25	(71)
Net translation of investments in foreign operations	(153)	189	523
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	(26)	32	(877)
Change in net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses	(17)	5	(10)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	41	(205)	894
Balance as of December 31	(876)	(917)	(712)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Balance as of December 31	57	507	(699)
Impact of the Adoption of new GAAP		(315)
Net unrealized gains (losses)	245	(139)	1,351
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings	(14)	4	(145)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	231	(450)	1,206
Balance as of December 31	288	57	507
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Balance as of December 31	(7)	(28)	(80)
Net unrealized gains (losses)	(2)	(2)	(22)
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings	8	23	74
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	6	21	52
Balance as of December 31	(1)	(7)	(28)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Balance as of December 31	(503)	(722)	(368)
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings		(2)
Net translation of investments in foreign operations	(153)	189	523
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations	(26)	32	(877)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(179)	219	(354)
Balance as of December 31	(682)	(503)	(722)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Changes in Other Comprehensive income
Balance as of December 31	(464)	(469)	(459)
Change in net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses	(17)	5	(10)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(17)	5	(10)
Balance as of December 31	$ (481)	$ (464)	$ (469)

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This item represents the gains and losses, net of tax, associated with the Company's hedges of investment in foreign operations that has been included in a separate component of shareholders' equity during the period.

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The total net unrealized holding gains (losses) that has been included as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.

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The total realized gains (losses) that has been included as a separate component of shareholders' equity during the period.

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Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

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Tax effect of the gross appreciation or the gross loss, net of reclassification adjustment, in the value of the total unsold available-for-sale securities at the end of an accounting period.

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The increase (decrease) in accumulated comprehensive income during the period related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, after tax. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

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Tax effects of the increase (decrease) to accumulated comprehensive income during the period related to benefit plans. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

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Total tax effect of the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase or decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

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Tax effect of the adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

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Tax effect of the change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), that is, the tax effect on items included in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.

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