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Statutory Information and Restrictions (Effects on statutory surplus compared to NAIC statutory surplus from the use of prescribed and permitted practices) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
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Calculation of reserves using the Indiana universal life method [Member] |  |  |
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] |  |  |
Effects on statutory surplus compared to NAIC statutory surplus from the use of prescribed and permitted practices |  | $ 54 | $ 79
Conservative valuation rate on certain variable annuities [Member] |  |  |
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] |  |  |
Effects on statutory surplus compared to NAIC statutory surplus from the use of prescribed and permitted practices |  | (50) | (49)
Lesser of LOC and XXX additional reserve as surplus [Member] |  |  |
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] |  |  |
Effects on statutory surplus compared to NAIC statutory surplus from the use of prescribed and permitted practices | [1] | 1,965 | $ 2,855
LLC Notes And Variable Value Surplus Notes [Member] |  |  |
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] |  |  |
Effects on statutory surplus compared to NAIC statutory surplus from the use of prescribed and permitted practices | [1] | 1,585 |
Excess Of Loss Reinsurance Treaties [Member] |  |  |
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] |  |  |
Effects on statutory surplus compared to NAIC statutory surplus from the use of prescribed and permitted practices | [1] | $ 185 |
[1] | These permitted practices are related to structures that continue to be allowed in accordance with the grandfathered structures under the provisions of AG48.

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- Definition Amount of an item which resulted in a difference from applying state prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices rather than statutory accounting practices prescribed by National Association of Insurance Commissioners. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6486098&loc=d3e24746-158529 + Details
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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
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