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Investments - Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Investments [Abstract] |  |  |
Impairment write-downs | $ (14) | $ (102) | $ (234)
Change in intent write-downs | 0 | (48) | (69)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings | (14) | (150) | (303)
Sales | (215) | 641 | 213
Valuation of equity investments | (691) | 0 | 0
Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments | 43 | (46) | 0
Total realized capital gains and losses | (877) | 445 | (90)
Fixed income and equity securities |  |  |
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities |  |  |
Fixed income. realized gain | 120 |  |
Fixed income, realized loss | $ 347 |  |
Gross gains on sales of fixed income securities |  | 737 | 631
Gross loss on sales of fixed income securities |  | $ 276 | $ 461

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- Definition The amount of change in intent write-downs reflect instances where the Company has made a decision to sell the security or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The amount of other than temporary impairment losses on equity securities and other than temporary impairment related to credit losses on debt securities. Additionally, this item includes other than temporary impairment losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. + References No definition available. + Details
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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 No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Excludes other than temporary impairments (OTTI). + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of unrealized and realized gain (loss) on investment in debt and equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(9)(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(7)(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
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- Definition Amount of realized gain on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
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- Definition Amount of realized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
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- Definition Amount of realized gain (loss) from sale of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 321 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84241550&loc=SL75117546-209714 + 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5618551-113959 + 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 No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873790&loc=SL114874131-224263 + Details
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