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INVESTMENTS - Information Regarding Pretax Realized Gains and Losses From Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized | $ (203) | [1] | $ (405) | [2]
Derivative gains (losses) | 80 |  | (30) |
Total realized investment gains (losses) | (45) |  | (579) |
Debt Securities | Available-for-sale Securities |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Gross gains from sales | 14 |  | 26 |
Gross losses from sales | (1) |  | (187) |
Net gains (losses) from redemptions | 0 |  | 7 |
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized | (63) |  | (404) |
Total realized investment gains (losses) | (50) |  | (558) |
Perpetual Securities |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Gross gains from sales | 70 |  | 6 |
Gross losses from sales | (65) |  | (2) |
Net gains (losses) from redemptions | 60 |  | 0 |
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized | (140) |  | 0 |
Total realized investment gains (losses) | (75) |  | 4 |
Equity Securities |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized | 0 |  | (1) |
Total realized investment gains (losses) | 0 |  | (1) |
Other assets |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Derivative gains (losses) | 80 |  | (30) |
Other | 0 |  | 6 |
Total realized investment gains (losses) | $ 80 |  | $ (24) |
[1] | Includes $28 for credit-related impairments and $175 from change in intent to sell securities
[2] | Consisted completely of credit-related impairments

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- Definition This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
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- Definition This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959 + Details
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- Definition This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (c)-(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13, 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 5 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27405-111563 + Details
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- Definition The net gain (loss) resulting from the sale, transfer, termination, or other disposition of assets during the period, excluding transactions involving capital leases, assets-held- or available-for-lease, and other real estate owned which, to the extent appropriate, are included in gains (losses) on the disposition of assets in nonoperating income (expense). + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 16B -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 15C -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 15D -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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