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Segmented Information - Summary of Results by Segments (Detail) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | $ 24,012 | $ 28,210
Net investment income (loss) | 4,532 | 19,367
Other revenue | 10,428 | 10,746
Total revenue | 38,972 | 58,323
Net benefits and claims | 15,934 | 39,301
Interest expense | 1,275 | 1,139
Other expenses | 16,244 | 15,382
Total contract benefits and expenses | 33,453 | 55,822
Income (loss) before income taxes | 5,519 | 2,501
Income tax recovery (expense) | (632) | (239)
Net income (loss) | 4,887 | 2,262
Non-controlling interests | 214 | 194
Participating policyholders | (127) | (36)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 4,800 | 2,104
Total assets | 750,271 | 729,533
Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 30,352 | 24,355
Net benefits and claims | 23,137 | 33,360
Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | (6,340) | 3,855
Net benefits and claims | (7,203) | 5,941
Operating segments [Member] | Asia Division [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 18,113 | 15,713
Net investment income (loss) | 278 | 4,044
Other revenue | 1,296 | 933
Total revenue | 19,687 | 20,690
Net benefits and claims | 12,861 | 13,770
Interest expense | 187 | 164
Other expenses | 4,749 | 4,360
Total contract benefits and expenses | 17,797 | 18,294
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,890 | 2,396
Income tax recovery (expense) | (355) | (405)
Net income (loss) | 1,535 | 1,991
Non-controlling interests | 208 | 187
Participating policyholders | (360) | (30)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 1,687 | 1,834
Total assets | 112,327 | 96,354
Operating segments [Member] | Asia Division [Member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 14,938 | 13,145
Net benefits and claims | 10,875 | 11,881
Operating segments [Member] | Asia Division [Member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 3,175 | 2,568
Net benefits and claims | 1,986 | 1,889
Operating segments [Member] | Canadian Division [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 9,427 | 4,765
Net investment income (loss) | 2,764 | 4,560
Other revenue | 1,446 | 1,862
Total revenue | 13,637 | 11,187
Net benefits and claims | 8,562 | 7,422
Interest expense | 447 | 307
Other expenses | 3,063 | 3,069
Total contract benefits and expenses | 12,072 | 10,798
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,565 | 389
Income tax recovery (expense) | (321) | 159
Net income (loss) | 1,244 | 548
Participating policyholders | 233 | (6)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 1,011 | 554
Total assets | 214,101 | 217,813
Operating segments [Member] | Canadian Division [Member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 8,975 | 4,322
Net benefits and claims | 8,044 | 5,018
Operating segments [Member] | Canadian Division [Member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 452 | 443
Net benefits and claims | 518 | 2,404
Operating segments [Member] | US Division [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | (3,626) | 7,622
Net investment income (loss) | 1,723 | 10,657
Other revenue | 2,542 | 3,039
Total revenue | 639 | 21,318
Net benefits and claims | (5,529) | 17,767
Interest expense | 56 | 36
Other expenses | 3,428 | 3,374
Total contract benefits and expenses | (2,045) | 21,177
Income (loss) before income taxes | 2,684 | 141
Income tax recovery (expense) | (352) | (1,342)
Net income (loss) | 2,332 | (1,201)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 2,332 | (1,201)
Total assets | 272,228 | 263,523
Operating segments [Member] | US Division [Member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 6,341 | 6,778
Net benefits and claims | 4,255 | 16,193
Operating segments [Member] | US Division [Member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | (9,967) | 844
Net benefits and claims | (9,784) | 1,574
Operating segments [Member] | Global wealth and asset management [member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net investment income (loss) | (8) | 42
Other revenue | 5,472 | 5,158
Total revenue | 5,464 | 5,200
Net benefits and claims | 77 | 74
Interest expense | 2 | 1
Other expenses | 4,322 | 4,193
Total contract benefits and expenses | 4,401 | 4,268
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,063 | 932
Income tax recovery (expense) | (108) | 146
Net income (loss) | 955 | 1,078
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 955 | 1,078
Total assets | 130,379 | 131,779
Operating segments [Member] | Global wealth and asset management [member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net benefits and claims | 77 | 74
Corporate and other [member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 98 | 110
Net investment income (loss) | (225) | 64
Other revenue | (328) | (246)
Total revenue | (455) | (72)
Net benefits and claims | (37) | 268
Interest expense | 583 | 631
Other expenses | 682 | 386
Total contract benefits and expenses | 1,228 | 1,285
Income (loss) before income taxes | (1,683) | (1,357)
Income tax recovery (expense) | 504 | 1,203
Net income (loss) | (1,179) | (154)
Non-controlling interests | 6 | 7
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | (1,185) | (161)
Total assets | 21,236 | 20,064
Corporate and other [member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 98 | 110
Net benefits and claims | $ (37) | $ 268

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