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Commissions and Other Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Details underlying commissions and other expenses [Abstract] |  |  |
Commissions | $ 1,986 | $ 1,910 | $ 2,071
General and administrative expenses | 1,766 | 1,687 | 1,701
Expenses associated with reserve financing and unrelated LOCs | 87 | 80 | 73
DAC and VOBA deferrals and interest, net of amortization | (350) | (70) | (226)
Broker-dealer expenses | 438 | 418 | 432
Specifically identifiable intangible asset amortization | 4 | 4 | 4
Media expenses |  |  | 29
Taxes, licenses and fees | 245 | 248 | 234
Total | 4,176 | 4,277 | 4,318
Parent Company [Member] |  |  |
Details underlying commissions and other expenses [Abstract] |  |  |
General and administrative expenses | $ 40 | $ 46 | $ 38

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- Definition Commissions, general and administrative, and taxes, licenses and fees expense related to broker dealers. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Additions during the period in capitalized costs that are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts and coverages and value of business acquired, including interest, net of the amount of DAC and VOBA that was amortized during the period, generally in proportion to related revenue earned, estimated gross profits, or over the customer relationship or some other period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Details underlying commissions and other expenses [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The total expense recognized in the period related to radio properties held. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of other intangible assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Expenses associated with reserve financing supporting secondary guarantee UL and term business, and expenses for unrelated letters of credit. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Taxes and licenses incurred and are directly related to goods produced and sold and services rendered during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The expense incurred by an insurance company to persons or entities for generating or placing insurance or investment contracts with the company, usually determined as a percentage of policy or contract premiums. Excludes advances or draws to be applied against commissions earned. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.7(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 + Details
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- Definition The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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