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Segmented Information - Summary of Results by Segments (Detail) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | $ 32,917 | $ 35,578
Net investment income (loss) | 35,400 | 33,593
Other revenue | 10,591 | 10,399
Total revenue | 78,908 | 79,570
Net benefits and claims | 55,235 | 55,915
Interest expense | 1,181 | 1,319
Other expenses | 15,721 | 16,116
Total contract benefits and expenses | 72,137 | 73,350
Income (loss) before income taxes | 6,771 | 6,220
Income tax recovery (expense) | (1,195) | (718)
Net income (loss) | 5,576 | 5,502
Non-controlling interests | 250 | 233
Participating policyholders | (545) | (333)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 5,871 | 5,602
Total assets | 880,349 | 809,130
Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 29,967 | 32,455
Net benefits and claims | 44,350 | 47,831
Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 2,950 | 3,123
Net benefits and claims | 10,885 | 8,084
Operating segments [Member] | Asia Division [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 20,479 | 20,007
Net investment income (loss) | 6,630 | 7,451
Other revenue | 1,346 | 1,215
Total revenue | 28,455 | 28,673
Net benefits and claims | 21,427 | 21,065
Interest expense | 269 | 236
Other expenses | 5,123 | 5,148
Total contract benefits and expenses | 26,819 | 26,449
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,636 | 2,224
Income tax recovery (expense) | (233) | (277)
Net income (loss) | 1,403 | 1,947
Non-controlling interests | 250 | 228
Participating policyholders | (609) | (216)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 1,762 | 1,935
Total assets | 145,801 | 127,367
Operating segments [Member] | Asia Division [Member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 17,983 | 17,107
Net benefits and claims | 17,997 | 17,975
Operating segments [Member] | Asia Division [Member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 2,496 | 2,900
Net benefits and claims | 3,430 | 3,090
Operating segments [Member] | Canadian Division [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 9,167 | 9,075
Net investment income (loss) | 8,458 | 9,446
Other revenue | 1,013 | 1,088
Total revenue | 18,638 | 19,609
Net benefits and claims | 14,765 | 14,884
Interest expense | 342 | 508
Other expenses | 3,141 | 3,237
Total contract benefits and expenses | 18,248 | 18,629
Income (loss) before income taxes | 390 | 980
Income tax recovery (expense) | (131) | 25
Net income (loss) | 259 | 1,005
Participating policyholders | 64 | (117)
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 195 | 1,122
Total assets | 167,236 | 159,042
Operating segments [Member] | Canadian Division [Member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 8,833 | 8,714
Net benefits and claims | 10,385 | 10,572
Operating segments [Member] | Canadian Division [Member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 334 | 361
Net benefits and claims | 4,380 | 4,312
Operating segments [Member] | US Division [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 3,131 | 6,384
Net investment income (loss) | 17,519 | 15,556
Other revenue | 2,711 | 2,654
Total revenue | 23,361 | 24,594
Net benefits and claims | 19,028 | 19,919
Interest expense | 54 | 43
Other expenses | 2,714 | 2,944
Total contract benefits and expenses | 21,796 | 22,906
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,565 | 1,688
Income tax recovery (expense) | (296) | (260)
Net income (loss) | 1,269 | 1,428
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 1,269 | 1,428
Total assets | 288,814 | 274,993
Operating segments [Member] | US Division [Member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 3,011 | 6,522
Net benefits and claims | 16,099 | 19,320
Operating segments [Member] | US Division [Member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 120 | (138)
Net benefits and claims | 2,929 | 599
Operating segments [Member] | Global wealth and asset management [member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net investment income (loss) | 39 | 33
Other revenue | 5,710 | 5,562
Total revenue | 5,749 | 5,595
Net benefits and claims | 146 | 83
Interest expense | 2 | 6
Other expenses | 4,329 | 4,362
Total contract benefits and expenses | 4,477 | 4,451
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,272 | 1,144
Income tax recovery (expense) | (172) | (122)
Net income (loss) | 1,100 | 1,022
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 1,100 | 1,022
Total assets | 236,593 | 216,348
Operating segments [Member] | Global wealth and asset management [member] | Annuities and pensions [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net benefits and claims | 146 | 83
Corporate and other [member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 140 | 112
Net investment income (loss) | 2,754 | 1,107
Other revenue | (189) | (120)
Total revenue | 2,705 | 1,099
Net benefits and claims | (131) | (36)
Interest expense | 514 | 526
Other expenses | 414 | 425
Total contract benefits and expenses | 797 | 915
Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,908 | 184
Income tax recovery (expense) | (363) | (84)
Net income (loss) | 1,545 | 100
Non-controlling interests |  | 5
Net income (loss) attributed to shareholders | 1,545 | 95
Total assets | 41,905 | 31,380
Corporate and other [member] | Life and health insurance [Member] |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Net premium income | 140 | 112
Net benefits and claims | $ (131) | $ (36)

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