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Segment Information (Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ (949) | $ 266 | $ 276
Annuities Segment [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 199 | 242 | 262
Retirement Plan Services Segment [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 55 | 47 | 49
Life Insurance Segment [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 244 | 238 | 159
Group Protection Segment [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 55 | 35 | 23
Other Operations [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | (130) | (109) | (86)
Excluded realized gain (loss), pre-tax [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | (118) | (181) | (116)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | (2) | (22) |
Reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) |  | 1 | 1
Benefit ratio unlocking [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 70 | $ 15 | $ (16)
Net Impact From the Tax Cuts And Jobs Act [Member] |  |  |
Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract] |  |  |
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ (1,322) |  |

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