Slicers (applies to each fact value in each table cell)

Reporting Entity [Axis]

0000004977 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK)

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	Period [Axis]
	2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of income tax expense (benefit) applicable to pretax earnings for the years ended December 31 were as follows: (In millions) Foreign   U.S.   Total 2016:                       Current   $ 650       $ 234       $ 884   Deferred   136       388       524   Total income tax expense   $ 786       $ 622       $ 1,408   2015:                       Current   $ 1,063       $ 225       $ 1,288   Deferred   42       (1 )       41   Total income tax expense   $ 1,105       $ 224       $ 1,329   2014:                       Current   $ 995       $ 84       $ 1,079   Deferred   125       336       461   Total income tax expense   $ 1,120       $ 420       $ 1,540
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The principal reasons for the differences and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31 were as follows: (In millions) 2016   2015   2014 Income taxes based on U.S. statutory rates   $ 1,424       $ 1,352       $ 1,572   Utilization of foreign tax credit   (30 )       (27 )       (32 )   Nondeductible expenses   8       3       5   Other, net   6       1       (5 )   Income tax expense   $ 1,408       $ 1,329       $ 1,540
Schedule of Income Tax Expense Benefit Intraperiod Tax Allocation	Total income tax expense for the years ended December 31 was allocated as follows: (In millions) 2016   2015   2014 Statements of earnings   $ 1,408       $ 1,329       $ 1,540   Other comprehensive income (loss):                       Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period   70       16       (419 )   Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:                       Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities during period   962       (931 )       2,237   Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses on investment securities included in net earnings   18       21       19   Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period   1       0       (3 )   Pension liability adjustment during period   (16 )       (7 )       (31 )   Total income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)   1,035       (901 )       1,803   Additional paid-in capital (exercise of stock options)   (10 )       4       (7 )   Total income taxes   $ 2,433       $ 432       $ 3,336
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The income tax effects of the temporary differences that gave rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 were as follows: (In millions) 2016   2015 Deferred income tax liabilities:               Deferred policy acquisition costs   $ 2,439       $ 2,282   Unrealized gains on investment securities   2,636       1,684   Premiums receivable   111       139   Policy benefit reserves   1,638       1,313   Depreciation   70     61   Other   0     0   Total deferred income tax liabilities   6,894       5,479   Deferred income tax assets:               Other basis differences in investment securities   1,167       1,422   Unfunded retirement benefits   13       15   Other accrued expenses   11       7   Policy and contract claims   146       113   Foreign currency loss on Japan branch   185       208   Deferred compensation   210       181   Capital loss carryforwards   3       0   Other   103       95   Total deferred income tax assets   1,838       2,041   Net deferred income tax liability   5,056       3,438   Current income tax liability   331       902   Total income tax liability   $ 5,387       $ 4,340
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the years ended December 31: (In millions)   2016     2015   Balance, beginning of year   $ 264   $ 309 Additions for tax positions of prior years   33      0    Reductions for tax positions of prior years   (3 )      (45 )   Balance, end of year   $ 294   $ 264