Fidelity & Guaranty Life 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	4-May-15
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	FGL
Entity Registrant Name	Fidelity & Guaranty Life
Entity Central Index Key	1585064
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		58,737,505

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: March 31, 2015 - $17,161; September 30, 2014 - $16,692)	$18,055	$17,435
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: March 31, 2015 - $574; September 30, 2014 - $679)	606	698
Derivative investments	268	296
Commercial mortgage loans	304	136
Other invested assets	232	237
Total investments	19,465	18,802
Related party loans	75	113
Cash and cash equivalents	849	576
Accrued investment income	180	182
Reinsurance recoverable	3,691	3,665
Intangibles, net	610	515
Deferred tax assets	104	137
Other assets	221	163
Total assets	25,195	24,153
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Contractholder funds	17,521	16,464
Future policy benefits	3,481	3,504
Liability for policy and contract claims	1,329	1,331
Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	60	58
Debt	300	300
Other liabilities	794	837
Total liabilities	23,485	22,494
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock ($.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at March 31, 2015)	0	0
Common stock ($.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 58,739,810 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015; 58,442,721 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014)	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	710	702
Retained earnings	601	607
Accumulated other comprehensive income	408	349
Treasury Stock, at cost (463,394 shares at March 31, 2015; no shares at September 30, 2014)	-10	0
Total shareholders' equity	1,710	1,659
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$25,195	$24,153

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	58,739,810	58,442,721
Common stock, shares outstanding	58,739,810	58,442,721
Treasury stock, shares	463,394,000	0
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	$17,161	$16,692
Available-for-sale equity securities, amortized cost basis	$574	$679

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Premiums	$15	$15	$26	$28
Net investment income	208	184	416	368
Net investment (losses) gains	-58	-2	1	122
Insurance and investment product fees and other	22	18	42	33
Total revenues	187	215	485	551
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	172	179	396	396
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals	28	32	57	58
Amortization of intangibles	-7	11	9	34
Total benefits and expenses	193	222	462	488
Operating (loss) income	-6	-7	23	63
Interest expense	-6	-6	-12	-11
(Loss) income before income taxes	-12	-13	11	52
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	-38	9	-16
Net (loss) income	-12	25	2	68
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.21)	$0.43	$0.03	$1.26
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.21)	$0.42	$0.03	$1.26
Weighted average common shares used in computing net income per common share:
Basic (shares)	58,033,064	58,270,822	58,159,572	53,656,357
Diluted (shares)	58,033,064	58,447,122	58,331,854	53,756,814
Cash dividend per common share	$0.07	$0.07	$0.13	$0.98
Total other-than-temporary impairments	-61	0	-61	0
Portion of other-than-temporary impairments included in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Net other-than-temporary impairments	-61	0	-61	0
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments	1	-8	63	103
Other realized investment gains (losses)	$2	$6	($1)	$19

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	($12)	$25	$2	$68
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Change in unrealized investment gains before reclassification adjustment	111	384	100	375
Net reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income	58	-10	62	-19
Changes in unrealized investment gains after reclassification adjustment	169	374	162	356
Adjustments to intangible assets	-71	-113	-70	-105
Changes in deferred income tax asset/liability	-34	-92	-33	-88
Net changes to derive comprehensive income for the period	64	169	59	163
Comprehensive income, net of tax	$52	$194	$61	$231

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Statement (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital/Contributed Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$1,139	$0	$527	$499	$113	$0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends	-47			-47
Stock Split	0	1	-1
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of transaction fees	173		173
Net income	68			68
Unrealized investment gains, net	163				163
Stock compensation	2		2
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,498	1	701	520	276	0
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	1,659	1	702	607	349
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Treasury shares purchased	-10					-10
Dividends	-8			-8
Net income	2
Unrealized investment gains, net	59				59
Stock compensation	8		8
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$1,710	$1	$710	$601	$408	($10)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$2	$68
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock based compensation	8	12
Amortization	-24	-16
Deferred income taxes	0	-34
Interest credited/index credit to contractholder account balances	330	325
Net recognized (gains) on investments and derivatives	-1	-122
Charges assessed to contractholders for mortality and administration	-32	-21
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net of amortization	-165	-82
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable	-4	-14
Future policy benefits	-23	-23
Funds withheld from reinsurers	-11	-57
Collateral posted	7	37
Other assets and other liabilities	-56	-12
Net cash provided by operating activities	31	61
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from commercial mortgage loans	32	0
Costs of commercial mortgage loans	-200	0
Related party loans	38	-27
Capital expenditures	-3	-4
Net cash (used in) investing activities	-493	-1,196
Cash flows from financing activities:
Treasury stock	-10	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of transaction fees	0	176
Dividends paid	-8	-47
Contractholder account deposits	1,538	1,341
Contractholder account withdrawals	-785	-837
Net cash provided by financing activities	735	633
Change in cash & cash equivalents	273	-502
Cash & cash equivalents, beginning of period	576	1,204
Cash & cash equivalents, end of period	849	702
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid	9	12
Taxes paid	28	24
Available-for-sale Securities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale, maturity and collection of investments	1,806	2,676
Payments to acquire investments	-2,218	-3,816
Derivative and other
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale, maturity and collection of investments	233	222
Payments to acquire investments	($181)	($247)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	Fidelity & Guaranty Life (formerly, Harbinger F&G, LLC (“HFG”)) (“FGL” and, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a subsidiary of HRG Group, Inc. (formerly, Harbinger Group Inc. (“HRG”)). The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  Therefore, the information contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Fidelity & Guaranty Life and Subsidiaries' Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”), should be read in connection with the reading of these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.
	FGL markets products through its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (“FGL Insurance”) and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York (“FGL NY Insurance”), which together are licensed in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
	On April 6, 2015, HRG Group, Inc, the parent of the Company, announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for Fidelity & Guaranty Life regarding their FGL holdings. Following this announcement, FGL has begun a strategic process involving a potential sale of the Company. There can be no assurance that the exploration of strategic alternatives will result in a transaction or that any transaction, if pursued, will be consummated. The exploration of strategic alternatives may be terminated at any time and without notice. Neither HRG Group nor any of its affiliates - including FGL - intend to disclose developments with respect to this process unless and until the FGL Board of Directors has approved a specific transaction or course of action.
	Certain GAAP policies, which significantly affect the determination of financial position, results of operations and cash flows, are summarized in our 2014 Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results.  Operating results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending September 30, 2015.  All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income are reflected in net investment gains in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Dollar amounts in the accompanying sections are presented in millions, unless otherwise noted.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies and Practices	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies and Practices	Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which FGL has a controlling financial interest (none of which are variable interest entities). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
	In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended guidance (ASU 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Project) which allows investors in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) programs that meet specified conditions to present the net tax benefits (net of the amortization of the cost of the investment) within income tax expense. The cost of the investments that meet the specified conditions will be amortized in proportion to (and over the same period as) the total expected tax benefits, including the tax credits and other tax benefits, as they are realized on the tax return. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively, if investors elect the proportional amortization method. However, if investors have existing LIHTC investments accounted for under the effective-yield method at adoption, they may continue to apply that method for those existing investments. The Company early adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2014 for all new LIHTC investments made subsequent to that date.  Prior LIHTC investments will continue to be accounted for under the effective-yield method.  This adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
	Share-Based Payments When a Performance Target is achieved after the Requisite Service Period
	In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on Stock Compensation (ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Term of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. The new guidance requires performance targets that affect vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period to be treated as performance conditions. Such performance targets would not be included in the grant-date fair value calculation of the award, rather compensation cost should be recorded when it is probable the performance target will be reached and should represent the compensation cost attributable to period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This standard may be early adopted and the amendments may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company will not early adopt this standard and is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
	In February 2015, the FASB issued amended consolidation guidance (ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The amended guidance changes the consolidation analysis of reporting entities with variable interest entity ("VIE") relationships by i) modifying the criteria used to evaluate whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities and revising the primary beneficiary determination of a VIE, ii) eliminating the specialized consolidation model and guidance for limited partnerships thereby removing the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, iii) reducing the criteria in the variable interest model contained in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, Consolidation, that is used to evaluate whether the fees paid to a decision maker or service provider represents a variable interest, and iv) exempting reporting entities from consolidating money market funds that operate in accordance with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. This standard may be early adopted and the amendments in this Update may be applied with a modified retrospective approach or retrospective approach. The Company will not early adopt this standard and is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance (ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. The amended guidance requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, similar to the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. The cost of issuing debt will no longer be recorded as a separate asset, except when incurred before the receipt of the funding from the associated debt liability. Instead, debt issuance costs will be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, and the costs will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. This standard may be early adopted. The amendments in this Update are required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company will not early adopt this standard and is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Significant_Risks_and_Uncertai

Significant Risks and Uncertainties	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Significant Risks and Uncertainties	Significant Risks and Uncertainties
	Use of Estimates and Assumptions
	The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions used.
	Concentrations of Financial Instruments
	As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company’s most significant investment in one industry, excluding United States ("U.S.") Government securities, was its investment securities in the banking industry with a fair value of $2,274 or 12% and $2,240 or 12%, respectively, of the invested assets portfolio. The Company’s holdings in this industry include investments in 83 different issuers with the top ten investments accounting for 39% of the total holdings in this industry. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had investments in 1 issuer, Wells Fargo & Company that exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity with a total fair value of $188 or 1% of the invested assets portfolio. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had investments in 2 issuers, Wells Fargo & Company and J.P. Morgan Chase, that exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity with a total fair value of $365 or 2% of the invested assets portfolio. Additionally, the Company’s largest concentration in any single issuer as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was in Wells Fargo & Company which had a fair value of $188 or 1% and $185 or 1% of the invested assets portfolio, respectively.
	Concentrations of Financial and Capital Markets Risk
	The Company is exposed to financial and capital markets risk, including changes in interest rates and credit spreads which can have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The Company expects to continue to face challenges and uncertainties that could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
	The Company’s exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates, in the absence of other countervailing changes, will decrease the net unrealized gain position of the Company’s investment portfolio and, if long-term interest rates rise dramatically within a six to twelve month time period, certain of the Company’s products may be exposed to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk refers to the risk that policyholders may surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment, requiring the Company to liquidate assets in an unrealized loss position. This risk is mitigated to some extent by the high level of surrender charge protection provided by the Company’s products.
	Concentration of Reinsurance Risk
	The Company has a significant concentration of reinsurance with Wilton Reassurance Company (“Wilton Re”) and Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. ("FSRCI" - an affiliate) that could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position in the event that Wilton Re or FSRCI fail to perform their obligations under the various reinsurance treaties. Wilton Re is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB"). CPPIB has an AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") as of March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the net amount recoverable from Wilton Re was $1,514 and the net amount recoverable from FSRCI was $1,289. The coinsurance agreement with FSRCI is on a funds withheld basis. The Company monitors both the financial condition of individual reinsurers and risk concentration arising from similar geographic regions, activities and economic characteristics of reinsurers to reduce the risk of default by such reinsurers.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments
	The Company’s debt and equity securities investments have been designated as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) net of associated adjustments for value of business acquired (“VOBA”), deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and deferred income taxes. The Company’s consolidated investments at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Available-for sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	2,200			$	11			$	(19	)		$	2,192		$	2,192
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	707				23				(1		)		729			729
	Corporates	9,253				648				(74		)		9,827			9,827
	Equities	574				35				(3		)		606			606
	Hybrids	1,303				74				(20		)		1,357			1,357
	Municipals	1,281				157				(2		)		1,436			1,436
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	2,108				108				(22		)		2,194			2,194
	U.S. Government	309				11				—				320			320
	Total available-for-sale securities	17,735				1,067				(141		)		18,661			18,661
	Derivative investments	205				83				(20		)		268			268
	Commercial mortgage loans	304				—				—				304			304
	Other invested assets	239				—				(7		)		232			232
	Total investments	$	18,483			$	1,150			$	(168	)		$	19,465		$	19,465
		September 30, 2014
		Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	2,040			$	12			$	(20	)		$	2,032		$	2,032
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	618				21				(2		)		637			637
	Corporates	9,329				499				(49		)		9,779			9,779
	Equities	679				24				(5		)		698			698
	Hybrids	1,279				52				(15		)		1,316			1,316
	Municipals	1,150				117				(7		)		1,260			1,260
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,985				140				(11		)		2,114			2,114
	U.S. Government	291				7				(1		)		297			297
	Total available-for-sale securities	17,371				872				(110		)		18,133			18,133
	Derivatives investments	178				123				(5		)		296			296
	Commercial mortgage loans	136				—				—				136			136
	Other invested assets	237				—				—				237			237
	Total investments	$	17,922			$	995			$	(115	)		$	18,802		$	18,802
	Included in AOCI were cumulative unrealized gains of $1 and unrealized losses of $2 related to the non-credit portion of other than temporary impairments ("OTTI") on non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The non-agency RMBS unrealized gains and losses represent the difference between amortized cost and fair value on securities that were previously impaired. There have been no impairments or write downs on any of the non-agency RMBS purchased during the six months ended March 31, 2015.
	Securities held on deposit with various state regulatory authorities had a fair value of $15,986 and $15,009 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Under Iowa regulations, insurance companies are required to hold securities on deposit in an amount no less than the Company's legal reserve as prescribed by Iowa regulations.
	The Company held no non-income producing investments during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	In accordance with the Company's Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) agreements, the investments supporting the funding agreement liabilities are pledged as collateral to secure the FHLB funding agreement liabilities. The collateral investments had a fair value of $558 and $573 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
	Corporates, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities:
	Due in one year or less	$	328			$	331
	Due after one year through five years	2,293				2,352
	Due after five years through ten years	2,894				3,027
	Due after ten years	5,918				6,514
	Subtotal	11,433				12,224
	Other securities which provide for periodic payments:
	Asset-backed securities	2,200				2,192
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	707				729
	Structured hybrids	713				716
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	2,108				2,194
	Subtotal	5,728				5,831
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	17,161			$	18,055
	The Company's available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses are reviewed for potential OTTI. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, the Company considers several factors including, but not limited to the following: (1) the extent and the duration of the decline; (2) the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, currency or interest-rate related, including general credit spread widening); and (3) the financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer. The Company also considers the ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value.
	The Company analyzes its ability to recover the amortized cost by comparing the net present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost of the security. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates consider the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security, including interest rate and prepayment assumptions, based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to interest rate and prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates also include other assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates and recoveries, which vary based on the asset type and geographic location, as well as the vintage year of the security. For structured securities, the payment priority within the tranche structure is also considered. For all other debt securities, cash flow estimates are driven by assumptions regarding probability of default and estimates regarding timing and amount of recoveries associated with a default. If the net present value is less than the amortized cost of the investment, an OTTI is recognized. FGL has concluded that the unrealized declines in fair values of the securities presented in the table below were not OTTI as of March 31, 2015.
	The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category, were as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Less than 12 months								12 months or longer							Total
		Fair Value				Gross Unrealized				Fair Value				Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized
						Losses								Losses						Losses
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	578			$	(8	)		$	559			$	(11	)	$	1,137		$	(19	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	51				(1		)		8				—			59			(1		)
Corporates	838				(32		)		761				(42		)	1,599			(74		)
Equities	35				(1		)		50				(2		)	85			(3		)
Hybrids	149				(8		)		144				(12		)	293			(20		)
Municipals	63				(1		)		126				(1		)	189			(2		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	412				(10		)		298				(12		)	710			(22		)
U.S. Government	70				—				50				—			120			—
Total available-for-sale securities	$	2,196			$	(61	)		$	1,996			$	(80	)	$	4,192		$	(141	)
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months																			322
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer																			247
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position																			569
	September 30, 2014
	Less than 12 months								12 months or longer							Total
	Fair Value				Gross Unrealized				Fair Value				Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized
					Losses								Losses						Losses
Available-for-sale securities
Asset-backed securities	$	939			$	(13	)		$	290			$	(7	)	$	1,229		$	(20	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	160				(1		)		1				(1		)	161			(2		)
Corporates	817				(16		)		1,127				(33		)	1,944			(49		)
Equities	181				(2		)		54				(3		)	235			(5		)
Hybrids	258				(2		)		290				(13		)	548			(15		)
Municipals	—				—				265				(7		)	265			(7		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	299				(6		)		178				(5		)	477			(11		)
U.S Government	37				—				82				(1		)	119			(1		)
Total available-for-sale securities	$	2,691			$	(40	)		$	2,287			$	(70	)	$	4,978		$	(110	)
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months																			324
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer																			311
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position																			635
At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, securities in an unrealized loss position were primarily concentrated in investment grade corporate debt instruments.
At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, securities with a fair value of $21 and $0, respectively, were depressed greater than 20% of amortized cost (excluding U.S. Government and U.S. Government sponsored agency securities), which represented less than 1% of the carrying value of all investments.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the credit loss portion of OTTI on fixed maturity securities held by the Company for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, for which a portion of the OTTI was recognized in AOCI:
	Three months ended								Six months ended
	March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
Beginning balance	$	3			$	3			$	3			$	3
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	—				—				—				—
Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	—				—				—				—
Ending balance	$	3			$	3			$	3			$	3
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized $61 of credit impairment losses in operations related to asset-backed, corporate securities and other invested assets with an amortized cost of $116 and a fair value of $55 at March 31, 2015. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized no impairment losses in operations.
Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of OTTI that were recognized in net income and included in net realized (losses) gains on securities were as follows:
	Three months ended								Six months ended
	31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14				31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
OTTI Recognized in Net Income:
Asset-backed securities	$	24			$	—			$	24			$	—
Corporates	2				—				2				—
Other invested assets	35				—				35				—
Total	$	61			$	—			$	61			$	—
The portion of OTTI recognized in AOCI is disclosed in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
In the second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized credit-related impairment losses of $59 on available-for-sale debt securities, available-for-sale equity securities and other invested assets, net of reinsurance, related to direct and indirect investments in RadioShack Corporation ("RSH") because the Company concluded the decline in the fair value of these investments was other than temporary. A summary to the RSH-related impairments by investment is as follows:
Type		Balance Sheet Classification		Impairment Loss
Collateralized loan obligations (a)		Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	25
Preferred equity (a)		Equity securities, available-for-sale		21
Participations		Other invested assets		35
Impairment, gross of reinsurance				$	81
Preferred equity (a)		Equity securities, available-for-sale		(21		)
Collateralized loan obligations (a)		Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		(1		)
Impairment, net of reinsurance				$	59
(a) Preferred equity and a portion of the collateralized loan obligations are included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on these assets are ceded to FSRCI.
The fair values of the impairments summarized above were determined using the following inputs as follows:
•	Collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") - The Company utilized a price from a third party pricing service which considered the sufficiency of underlying loan collateral for the RSH loan.
•	Preferred equity - The Company utilized a price from a third party pricing service which considered the updated fair value estimates of the Salus Capital Partners, LLC ("Salus") CLO and the Salus participation in RSH, both of which Salus owns investment interests.
•	Participations - The Company considered the sufficiency and recoverability of the underlying loan collateral for RSH.
The total gross impact of the impairment losses above, excluding reinsurance with FSRCI is $81.  RSH filed for bankruptcy on February 5, 2015.  In late March 2015, the Court awarded a sale of assets at auction to another bidder, causing our collateral claim to become more junior to other claimants and resulting in our conclusion that the Company had realized an other than temporary impairment. Please refer to "Note 14. Related Party Transactions” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail on the investments impacted by this impairment.
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
Commercial mortgage loans ("CMLs") represented approximately 2% and 1% of the Company’s total investments as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company primarily makes mortgage loans on income producing properties including hotels, industrial properties, retail buildings, multifamily properties and office buildings. The Company diversifies its CML portfolio by geographic region and property type to reduce concentration risk. Subsequent to origination, the Company continuously evaluates CMLs based on relevant current information to ensure properties are performing at a consistent and acceptable level to secure the related debt. The distribution of CMLs, gross of valuation allowances, by property type and geographic region is reflected in the following tables:
	March 31, 2015							30-Sep-14
	Gross Carrying Value				% of Total			Gross Carrying Value				% of Total
Property Type:
Industrial - General	$	20			7	%		$	—			—	%
Industrial - Warehouse	47				15	%		48				35	%
Multifamily	30				10	%		38				28	%
Office	76				25	%		44				33	%
Retail	123				40	%		6				4	%
Apartment	7				3	%		—				—	%
Funeral Home	1				—	%		—				—	%
Total commercial mortgage loans	$	304			100	%		$	136			100	%
US Region:
East North Central	$	84			28	%		$	28			21	%
Middle Atlantic	18				6	%		11				8	%
Pacific	66				21	%		61				45	%
South Atlantic	63				21	%		—				—	%
West North Central	6				2	%		6				4	%
West South Central	20				6	%		30				22	%
Mountain	42				14	%		—				—	%
New England	5				2	%		—				—	%
Total commercial mortgage loans	$	304			100	%		$	136			100	%
The Company has a CML portfolio with 100% of all CMLs having a loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio of less than 75% at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. As of March 31, 2015, all CMLs are current and have not experienced credit or other events which would require the recording of an impairment loss. The Company has not established a collective or specific CML valuation allowance as of March 31, 2015.
LTV and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios are measures commonly used to assess the risk and quality of mortgage loans. The LTV ratio, calculated at time of origination, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of the loan relative to the value of the underlying property. A LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the underlying collateral. The DSC ratio, based upon the most recently received financial statements, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of a property’s net income to its debt service payments. A DSC ratio of less than 1.00 indicates that a property’s operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments.
The following table presents the recorded investment in CMLs by LTV and DSC ratio categories and estimated fair value by the indicated loan-to-value ratios at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014:
	Debt-Service Coverage Ratios												Total Amount			% of Total		Estimated Fair Value				% of Total
	>1.25				1.00 - 1.25				N/A(a)
March 31, 2015
LTV Ratios:
Less than 50%	$	74			$	—			$	1			$	75		25	%	$	75			25	%
50% to 60%	64				20				—				84			28	%	84				28	%
60% to 75%	145				—				—				145			47	%	145				47	%
Commercial mortgage loans	$	283			$	20			$	1			$	304		100	%	$	304			100	%
September 30, 2014
LTV Ratios:
Less than 50%	$	44			$	—			$	1			$	45		33	%	$	45			33	%
50% to 60%	20				—				—				20			15	%	20				15	%
60% to 75%	71				—				—				71			52	%	71				52	%
Commercial mortgage loans	$	135			$	—			$	1			$	136		100	%	$	136			100	%
(a) N/A - Current DSC ratio not available.
The Company recognizes a mortgage loan as delinquent when payments on the loan are greater than 30 days past due. At March 31, 2015, we had no CMLs that were delinquent in principal or interest payments. The following provides the current and past due composition of our CMLs:
	March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
Current to 30 days	$	304			$	136
Total carrying value	$	304			$	136
A Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") is a situation where we have granted a concession to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties that we would not otherwise consider. A mortgage loan that has been granted new terms, including workout terms as described previously, would be considered a TDR if it meets conditions that would indicate a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the new terms constitute a concession on our part. We analyze all loans where we have agreed to workout terms and all loans that we have refinanced to determine if they meet the definition of a TDR. We consider the following factors in determining whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty:
•borrower is in default,
•borrower has declared bankruptcy,
•there is growing concern about the borrower's ability to continue as a going concern,
•borrower has insufficient cash flows to service debt,
•borrower's inability to obtain funds from other sources, and
•there is a breach of financial covenants by the borrower.
If the borrower is determined to be in financial difficulty, we consider the following conditions to determine if the borrower was granted a concession:
•assets used to satisfy debt are less than our recorded investment,
•interest rate is modified,
•maturity date extension at an interest rate less than market rate,
•capitalization of interest,
•delaying principal and/or interest for a period of three months or more, and
•partial forgiveness of the balance or charge-off.
Mortgage loan workouts, refinances or restructures that are classified as TDRs are individually evaluated and measured for impairment. As of March 31, 2015, our CML portfolio had no impairments, modifications or troubled debt restructuring.
Net investment income
The major sources of “Net investment income” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	Three months ended								Six months ended
	March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	194			$	175			$	390			$	351
Equity available-for-sale securities	9				5				18				9
Commercial mortgage loans	3				—				4				1
Related party loans	1				2				3				4
Other investments	5				6				11				10
Gross investment income	212				188				426				375
Investment expense	(4		)		(4		)		(10		)		(7		)
Net investment income	$	208			$	184			$	416			$	368
Net investment (losses) gains
Details underlying “Net investment (losses) gains” reported on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	Three months ended								Six months ended
	March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
Net realized (losses) gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	(19	)		$	6			$	(23	)		$	20
Realized (losses) on equity securities	(3		)		—				(2		)		(1		)
Net realized (losses) gains on securities	(22		)		6				(25		)		19
Realized gains on certain derivative instruments	40				45				81				99
Unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments	(47		)		(24		)		(46		)		37
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	(3		)		(29		)		16				(33		)
Change in fair value of other derivatives and embedded derivatives	11				—				12				—
Realized (losses) gains on derivatives and embedded derivatives	1				(8		)		63				103
Realized losses on other invested assets	(37		)		—				(37		)		—
Net investment (losses) gains	$	(58	)		$	(2	)		$	1			$	122
Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined on the specific identification method.
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, principal repayments, calls, tenders, and proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities totaled $996 and $1,806, gross gains on such sales totaled $10 and $20, and gross losses totaled $29 and $43, respectively.
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, principal repayments, calls, tenders, and proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, totaled $964 and $2,628, gross gains on such sales totaled $8 and $23, and gross losses totaled $2 and $3, respectively.
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
We own two investments in VIEs that are not consolidated within the Company’s financial statements. VIEs do not have sufficient equity to finance their own activities without additional financial support and certain of its investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest.  These VIEs are not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements for the following reasons: 1)  FGL Insurance does not have any voting rights or notice rights; 2)  the Company does not have any rights to remove the investment manager; and 3)  the Company was not involved in the design of the investment.  These characteristics indicate that FGL Insurance lacks the ability to direct the activities, or otherwise exert control, of the VIEs and is not considered the primary beneficiary of them.
FGL Insurance participates in loans to third parties originated by Salus. Salus is an affiliated, limited liability company indirectly owned by HRG that originates senior secured asset-based loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers. FGL Insurance also participates in CLOs managed by Salus. Because Salus is not consolidated, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in Salus is limited to the carrying value of its investments in Salus which totaled $275 and $304 as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. FGL’s investments in Salus are detailed in “Note 14. Related Party Transactions” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
FGL Insurance also participates in an investment managed by Fifth Street Management, LLC (“Fifth Street”).  Fifth Street Senior Loan Fund II (the “Fund”) invests in loans selected and/or originated by Fifth Street. Fifth Street is an unaffiliated, limited liability company that originates financing for the Fund’s investment activity through CLOs.  The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in Fifth Street is limited to the carrying value of its investments in Fifth Street which totaled $40 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in fixed indexed annuity (“FIA”) contracts, is as follows:
		March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
	Assets:
	Derivative investments:
	Call options	$	268			$	296
	Other invested assets:
	Other derivatives and embedded derivatives	25				13
	Other assets:
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative	92				77
		$	385			$	386
	Liabilities:
	Contractholder funds:
	FIA embedded derivative	$	2,217			$	1,908
	Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities:
	Call options payable to FSRCI	18				23
	Other liabilities:
	Futures contracts	1				1
		$	2,236			$	1,932
	The change in fair value of derivative instruments included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Revenues:
	Net investment (losses) gains:
	Call options	$	(7	)		$	19			$	31		$	121
	Futures contracts	—				2				4			15
	Other derivatives and embedded derivatives	11				—				12			—
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative	(3		)		(29		)		16			(33		)
		$	1			$	(8	)		$	63		$	103
	Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
	FIA embedded derivatives	$	77			$	74			$	309		$	175
	Additional Disclosures
	Other Derivatives and Embedded Derivatives
	On June 16, 2014, FGL Insurance invested in a $35 fund-linked note issued by Nomura International Funding Pte. Ltd. The note provides for an additional payment at maturity based on the value of an embedded derivative in AnchorPath Dedicated Return Fund (the "AnchorPath Fund") of $11 on June 16, 2014 which is based on the actual return of the fund. At March 31, 2015 the fair value of the embedded derivative is $12. At maturity of the fund-linked note, FGL Insurance will receive the $35 face value of the note plus the value of the embedded derivative in the AnchorPath Fund. The additional payment at maturity is an embedded derivative reported in "Other invested assets", while the host is an available-for-sale security reported in "Fixed maturities, available-for-sale".
	FGL Insurance participates in loans to third parties originated by Salus, an affiliated VIE, indirectly owned by HRG that provides asset-based financing. Five of the participating loans are denominated in Canadian dollars ("CAD") which is different from FGL Insurance's functional currency. Two of the participating loans include a provision for reimbursement from the borrower to FGL Insurance for any net foreign exchange losses realized by FGL Insurance under the loan in which FGL Insurance has a participation interest. FGL Insurance's ability to recover the foreign exchange losses under these loan participations is such that the Company has established embedded derivatives equal to FGL Insurance's cumulative net foreign exchange loss on these loan participations. The value of the embedded derivatives is reflected in "Other invested assets" as of the balance sheet date with changes in fair value reflected in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The value of the embedded derivatives at each balance sheet date is equal to the cumulative net foreign exchange loss recognized on these loan participations at the balance sheet date. The Company had realized gains of $10 and $11, respectively, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 related to its foreign exchange embedded derivatives included in other invested assets. The Company had no realized gains or losses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 related to its foreign exchange embedded derivatives included in other invested assets.
	The remaining three participating loans denominated in CAD also require reimbursement from borrower in CAD but do not include a provision for reimbursement of any net foreign exchange losses from the borrower. Consequently, Salus has executed CAD swap agreements with FGL Insurance to convert the CAD cash flows into USD cash flows. FGL Insurance recognizes the cumulative net foreign exchange loss recognized on these loan participations in “Other invested assets” with the changes in the fair value reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the second fiscal quarter 2015, we executed CAD swap agreements with Salus for three of the Salus participation interest with Canadian issuers. Under these swap agreements, Salus will reimburse the Company for any foreign exchange losses related to these loan participations since the origination date. As a result, the Company accrued an expected recoverable of $9 and corresponding gain in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the amount of cumulative net foreign exchange loss since the origination of the participation.
	Credit Risk
	The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by its counterparties on the call options and reflects assumptions regarding this nonperformance risk in the fair value of the call options. The nonperformance risk is the net counterparty exposure based on the fair value of the open contracts less collateral held. The Company maintains a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement.
	Information regarding the Company’s exposure to credit loss on the call options it holds is presented in the following table:
					March 31, 2015													September 30, 2014
	Counterparty		Credit Rating		Notional				Fair Value			Collateral				Net Credit Risk		Notional		Fair Value		Collateral		Net Credit Risk
			(Fitch/Moody's/S&P) (a)		Amount													Amount
	Merrill Lynch		A/*/A		$	2,206			$	70		$	35			$	35	$	2,240	$	93	$	53	$	40
	Deutsche Bank		A+/A3/A		3,084				101			78				23		2,810		108		72		36
	Morgan Stanley		*/A3/A		3,270				95			65				30		2,295		85		63		22
	Barclay's Bank		A/A2/A		125				2			—				2		258		10		—		10
	Total				$	8,685			$	268		$	178			$	90	$	7,603	$	296	$	188	$	108
	(a) An * represents credit ratings that were not available.
	Collateral Agreements
	The Company is required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice as part of its over-the-counter derivative agreements on ISDA forms. Under some ISDA agreements, the Company has agreed to maintain certain financial strength ratings. A downgrade below these levels provides the counterparty under the agreement the right to terminate the open derivative contracts between the parties, at which time any amounts payable by the Company or the counterparty would be dependent on the market value of the underlying derivative contracts. The Company’s current rating allows multiple counterparties the right to terminate ISDA agreements. No ISDA agreements have been terminated, although the counterparties have reserved the right to terminate the ISDA agreements at any time. In certain transactions, the Company and the counterparty have entered into a collateral support agreement requiring either party to post collateral when the net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds. These thresholds vary by counterparty and credit rating. As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, counterparties posted $178 and $188 of collateral of which $143 and $135, respectively, is included in "Cash and cash equivalents" with an associated payable for this collateral included in "Other liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining $35 and $53 of non-cash collateral was held by a third-party custodian at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Accordingly, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that the Company would incur if parties to the call options failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts was $90 and $108 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	The Company held 1,652 and 2,348 futures contracts at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the futures contracts represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity, net of cash settlements). The Company provides cash collateral to the counterparties for the initial and variation margin on the futures contracts which is included in "Cash and cash equivalents" in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of cash collateral held by the counterparties for such contracts was $8 and $11 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s measurement of fair value is based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability, which may include inherent risk, restrictions on the sale or use of an asset or non-performance risk, which may include the Company’s own credit risk. The Company’s estimate of an exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability (“exit price”) in the principal market, or the most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market, for that asset or liability, as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or receive a liability (“entry price”). The Company categorizes financial instruments carried at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the priority of inputs to the respective valuation technique. The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:
	Level 1 - Values are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets accessible at the measurement date.
	Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads and yield curves.
	Level 3 - Certain inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to the fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date based on the best information available in the circumstances.
	In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lower level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment.
	When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement. Because certain securities trade in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information, the determination of fair value for these securities is inherently more difficult. However, Level 3 fair value investments may include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 inputs, observable components, which are components that are actively quoted or can be validated to market-based sources.
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for which the disclosure of fair values is required, including financial assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis, with the exception of investment contracts and debt, are summarized according to the hierarchy previously described, as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1			Level 2				Level 3			Fair Value		Carrying Amount
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	849		$	—			$	—		$	849	$	849
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			2,100				92			2,192		2,192
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			587				142			729		729
	Corporates	—			8,902				925			9,827		9,827
	Hybrids	—			1,357				—			1,357		1,357
	Municipals	—			1,396				40			1,436		1,436
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—			2,194				—			2,194		2,194
	U.S. Government	135			185				—			320		320
	Equity securities available-for-sale	27			561				18			606		606
	Derivative financial instruments	—			268				—			268		268
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets	—			92				—			92		92
	Other invested assets	—			13				219			232		232
	Total financial assets at fair value	$	1,011		$	17,655			$	1,436		$	20,102	$	20,102
	Liabilities
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—			$	2,217		$	2,217	$	2,217
	Derivative instruments - futures contracts	—			1				—			1		1
	Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—				13,709			13,709		15,304
	Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	—			18				—			18		18
	Debt	—			315				—			315		300
	Total financial liabilities at fair value	$	—		$	334			$	15,926		$	16,260	$	17,840
		September 30, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2				Level 3			Fair Value		Carrying Amount
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	576		$	—			$	—		$	576	$	576
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			1,958				74			2,032		2,032
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			554				83			637		637
	Corporates	—			8,945				834			9,779		9,779
	Hybrids	—			1,316				—			1,316		1,316
	Municipals	—			1,223				37			1,260		1,260
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—			2,114				—			2,114		2,114
	U.S. Government	116			181				—			297		297
	Equity securities available-for-sale	59			599				40			698		698
	Derivative financial instruments	—			296				—			296		296
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets	—			76				—			76		76
	Other invested assets	—			2				235			237		237
	Total financial assets at fair value	$	751		$	17,264			$	1,303		$	19,318	$	19,318
	Liabilities
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—			$	1,908		$	1,908	$	1,908
	Derivative instruments - futures contracts	—			1				—			1		1
	Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—				13,109			13,109		14,556
	Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	—			22				—			22		22
	Debt	—			317				—			317		300
	Total financial liabilities at fair value	$	—		$	340			$	15,017		$	15,357	$	16,787
	The carrying amounts of accrued investment income, and portions of other insurance liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.
	Valuation Methodologies
	Fixed Maturity Securities & Equity Securities
	The Company measures the fair value of its securities based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the security. The most appropriate valuation methodology is selected based on the specific characteristics of the fixed maturity or equity security, and the Company will then consistently apply the valuation methodology to measure the security’s fair value. The Company's fair value measurement is based on a market approach, which utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. Sources of inputs to the market approach include a third-party pricing service, independent broker quotations or pricing matrices. The Company uses observable and unobservable inputs in its valuation methodologies. Observable inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. In addition, market indicators and industry and economic events are monitored and further market data will be acquired when certain thresholds are met. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of equity securities available-for-sale for which the market-approach valuation technique is employed is yields for comparable securities. Increases (decreases) in the yields would result in lower or higher, respectively, fair value measurements. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. The fair value of the Company's investment in mutual funds is based on the net asset value published by the respective mutual fund and represents the value the Company would have received if it withdrew its investment on the balance sheet date. Management believes the broker quotes are prices at which trades could be executed based on historical trades executed at broker-quoted or slightly higher prices.
	The Company did not adjust prices received from third parties as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. However, the Company does analyze the third-party valuation methodologies and its related inputs to perform assessments to determine the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair value of derivative assets and liabilities is based upon valuation pricing models, which represents what the Company would expect to receive or pay at the balance sheet date if it canceled the options, entered into offsetting positions, or exercised the options. Fair values for these instruments are determined externally by an independent consulting firm using market-observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curve volatilities, and other factors. The fair values of the embedded derivatives in the Company’s FIA products are derived using market indices, pricing assumptions and historical data. The fair value of the reinsurance related embedded derivative in the funds withheld reinsurance agreement with FSRCI is estimated based upon the change in the fair value of the assets supporting the funds withheld from reinsurance liabilities. As the fair value of the assets is based on a quoted market price of similar assets (Level 2), the fair value of the embedded derivative is based on market-observable inputs and is classified as Level 2. The fair value of futures contracts represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity, net of cash settlements).
Investment contracts include deferred annuities, FIAs, indexed universal life policies (“IULs”) and immediate annuities. The fair value of deferred annuity, FIA, and IUL contracts is based on their cash surrender value (i.e. the cost the Company would incur to extinguish the liability) as these contracts are generally issued without an annuitization date. The fair value of immediate annuities contracts is derived by calculating a new fair value interest rate using the updated yield curve and treasury spreads as of the respective reporting date. At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, this resulted in lower fair value reserves relative to the carrying value. The Company is not required to, and has not, estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts that are exceptions from financial instruments that require disclosures of fair value.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of FIA embedded derivatives included in contractholder funds are market value of option, interest swap rates, mortality multiplier, surrender rates, and non-performance spread. The mortality multiplier at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 is applied to the Annuity 2000 mortality tables. Significant increases (decreases) in the market value of option in isolation would result in a higher or lower, respectively, fair value measurement. Significant increases or decreases in interest swap rates, mortality multiplier, surrender rates, or non-performance spread in isolation would result in a lower or higher, respectively, fair value measurement. Generally, a change in any one unobservable input would not result in a change in any other unobservable input.
Other Invested Assets
Fair value of our loan participation interest securities approximates the unpaid principal balance of the participation interest as of March 31, 2015. In making this assessment, the Company considered the sufficiency of the underlying loan collateral, movements in the benchmark interest rate between origination date and March 31, 2015, the primary market participant for these securities and the short-term maturity of these loans (less than 1 year).
Fair value of our loan participation interest in RSH is based upon a best estimate of the expected liquidation value of the underlying collateral. RSH is in the process of liquidation to satisfy creditor obligations. Valuation of the collateral was based upon a variety of assumptions by asset class depending upon the availability of market-participant indicators of fair value. Where such market data was not available, a best estimate of expected liquidation value as a percentage of book value was calculated based upon experience in similar liquidations. Our best estimate of recovery value is 30% of the par value of the investment based upon the documentation currently available. As the liquidation process continues and more information becomes known about expected or actual sales price/recovery value, our estimates and the evaluation of the fair value and other than temporary impairment will be updated. The actual recovery value from the liquidation process could vary from the estimates that have been used for the current fair value estimation.
Fair value of our embedded derivative is based on an unobservable input, the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund at the balance sheet date.  The embedded derivative is similar to a call option on the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund with a strike price of zero since FGL Insurance will not be required to make any additional payments at maturity of the fund-linked note in order to receive the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund on the maturity date.  Therefore, the Black Scholes model returns the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund as the fair value of the call option regardless of the values used for the other inputs to the option pricing model.  The net asset value of the AnchorPath fund is provided by the fund manager at the end of each calendar month and represents the value an investor would receive if it withdrew its investment on the balance sheet date. Therefore, the key unobservable input used in the Black Scholes model is the value of the AnchorPath fund. As the value of the AnchorPath fund increases or decreases, the fair value of the embedded derivative will increase or decrease.
Fair value of foreign exchange derivatives and embedded derivatives are based on the quoted United States dollar ("USD")/CAD exchange rates.
Valuation Methodologies and Associated Inputs for Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
The following discussion outlines the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments not carried at fair value. Considerable judgment is required to develop these assumptions used to measure fair value. Accordingly, the estimates shown are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in a one-time, current market exchange of all of our financial instruments.
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
The fair value of mortgage loans on real estate is established using a discounted cash flow method based on credit rating, maturity and future income. The ratings for mortgages in good standing are based on property type, location, market conditions, occupancy, debt-service coverage, loan-to-value, quality of tenancy, borrower and payment record. The fair value for impaired mortgage loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The inputs used to measure the fair value of our mortgage loans on real estate are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
In September 2013, the Company initiated a commercial loan program utilizing a third party CML asset manager, Principal Real Estate Investors ("Principal"). Subsequently in October 2014, the Company transitioned this program to CorAmerica, a subsidiary of Harbinger Group, as an additional CML asset manager, and in April 2015 transferred the management and servicing responsibilities of all CMLs to CorAmerica. As part of these programs, the Company has funded CMLs with a fair value of $304 at March 31, 2015, which is equal to amortized cost. None of these loans are past due or have material credit issues and given that there have not been material changes in market interest since origination the Company views amortized cost as representative of fair value. The CML asset managers monitor the status of the payment obligations, the credit quality of the borrower, the condition of the property, and any other events that may impact the performance and principal repayment of the CMLs.  Additionally, the Company periodically reviews the asset managers' valuation methodologies and investment processes to ensure the program is performing in line with the objectives of the program. A CML's current standing and payment obligations are material factors in evaluating the CML's carrying value and related fair value. At March 31, 2015, all CMLs are current with no payments past due and there are no credit or other events which would require impairment evaluation.
Policy Loans (included within Other Invested Assets)
Also included in other invested assets are policy loans. Fair values for policy loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar credit risk.  Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
Related Party Loans
The related party loans (discussed in "Note 14. Related Party Transactions") carrying value at par approximates fair value, as this is the exit price for the obligation of these loans.
Debt
The fair value of debt is based on quoted market prices. The inputs used to measure the fair value of our outstanding debt are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs used for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments carried at fair value as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Fair Value at							Range (Weighted average)
		March 31, 2015			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)		March 31, 2015
Assets
Asset-backed securities		$	31		Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		100.00%
Asset-backed securities (Salus CLO equity tranche)		40			Third-Party Valuation		Offered quotes		59.21%
							Discount rate		16.50%
							Constant default rate		2.00%
							RSH recovery		RSH - 30.00% recovery
Asset-backed securities		3			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		109.94%
Asset-backed securities (Salus CLO)		18			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		99.90%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		97			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		100.00% - 120.75% (114.09%)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		45			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		105.75% - 122.50% (115.47%)
Corporates		527			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		67.44% - 122.61% (102.44%)
Corporates		398			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		75.00% - 149.80% (103.49%)
Municipals		40			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		114.50%
Equity securities available-for-sale		6			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		100.00%
Equity securities available-for-sale (Salus preferred equity)		12			Market-approach		Yield		9.24% - 10.74%
							RSH recovery		RSH - 30.00% recovery
							Discount rate		27.00%
							Salus CLO equity		59.21%
Other invested assets:
Available-for-sale embedded derivative		12			Black Scholes model		Market value of AnchorPath fund		100.00%
Salus participations		180			Market Pricing		Offered quotes		100.00%
Salus participation - RSH Corporation		15			Liquidation Value - 30% recovery estimate		Sales agreements		100.00%
							Cash		100.00%
							Inventory		50.00% of book value
							Accounts receivable		50.00% - 100.00% of book value
							Intellectual property		100.00% of appraisal of orderly liquidation value
							Real estate		Bids; 60.00%-65.00% of book value
							Wind-down expenses		100.00% estimated expense
Total		$	1,424
Liabilities
Derivatives:
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds		$	2,217		Discounted Cash Flow		Market value of option		0.00% - 42.05% (2.80%)
							SWAP rates		1.53% - 2.03% (1.78%)
							Morality multiplier		80.00%
							Surrender rates		0.50% - 75.00% (7.00%)
							Non-performance spread		0.25%
Total liabilities at fair value		$	2,217
		Fair Value at							Range (Weighted average)
		September 30, 2014			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)		30-Sep-14
Assets
Asset-backed securities		$	74		Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		95.45% - 109.26% (99.26%)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		83			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		105.25% - 121.00% (118.29%)
Corporates		832			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		61.67% - 119.75% (100.04%)
Corporates		2			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		142.30%
Municipals		37			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		106.64%
Equity securities available-for-sale		6			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		99.75%
Equity securities available-for-sale		34			Market-approach		Yield		8.31% - 9.81%
Other invested assets:
Available-for-sale embedded derivative		11			Black scholes model		Net asset value of AnchorPath fund		100.00%
Salus participations		213			Market Pricing		Offered quotes		100.00%
Total		$	1,292
Liabilities
Derivatives:
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds		$	1,908		Discounted Cash Flow		Market value of option		0.00% - 49.82% (3.37%)
							SWAP rates		1.93% - 2.64% (2.29%)
							Morality multiplier		80.00%
							Surrender rates		0.50% - 75.00% (7.00%)
							Non-performance spread		0.25%
Total liabilities at fair value		$	1,908
Changes in unrealized losses (gains), net in the Company’s FIA embedded derivatives are included in "Benefits and other changes in policy reserves" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following tables summarize changes to the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This summary excludes any impact of amortization of VOBA and DAC. The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings				AOCI
Assets
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	$	71		$	(25	)		$	2		$	63	$	(15	)	$	—		$	(4	)	$	92
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	120			—				1			21		—			—			—			142
Corporates	901			2				15			62		—			(31		)	(24		)	925
Municipals	39			—				1			—		—			—			—			40
Equity securities available-for-sale	38			(21		)		1			—		—			—			—			18
Other invested assets:
Available-for-sale embedded derivative	12			—				—			—		—			—			—			12
Salus participations, included in other invested assets	237			(36		)		(4		)	22		—			(24		)	—			195
Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	1,418		$	(80	)		$	16		$	168	$	(15	)	$	(55	)	$	(28	)	$	1,424
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	2,140		$	77			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	2,140		$	77			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were exclusively to Level 2.
	Six months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings				AOCI
Assets
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	$	74		$	(25	)		$	2		$	66	$	(15	)	$	—		$	(10	)	$	92
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	83			—				2			57		—			—			—			142
Corporates	834			2				24			123		—			(34		)	(24		)	925
Municipals	37			—				3			—		—			—			—			40
Equity securities available-for-sale	40			(21		)		(1		)	—		—			—			—			18
Other invested assets:
Available-for-sale embedded derivative	11			1				—			—		—			—			—			12
Salus participations, included in other invested assets	213			(37		)		(4		)	78		—			(55		)	—			195
Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	1,292		$	(80	)		$	26		$	324	$	(15	)	$	(89	)	$	(34	)	$	1,424
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,908		$	309			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	1,908		$	309			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2015 were exclusively to Level 2.
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings				AOCI
Assets
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	$	251		$	—			$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	(203	)	$	47
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6			—				—			—		—			—			(6		)	—
Corporates	607			—				10			42		—			(2		)	—			657
Municipals	34			—				2			—		—			—			—			36
Other invested assets:
Salus preferred equity included in related party	—			—				—			33		—			—			—			33
Salus participations, included in other invested assets	200			—				—			27		—			(33		)	—			194
Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	1,098		$	—			$	11		$	102	$	—		$	(35	)	$	(209	)	$	967
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,645		$	74			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	1,645		$	74			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were exclusively to Level 2. There was a $6.0 transfer within the Level 3 asset class from commercial mortgage-backed securities to asset-backed securities.
	Six months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings				AOCI
Assets
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	$	246		$	—			$	(1	)	$	5	$	—		$	—		$	(203	)	$	47
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6			—				—			—		—			—			(6		)	—
Corporates	461			—				4			194		—			(2		)	—			657
Municipals	—			—				1			35		—			—			—			36
Other invested assets:
Salus preferred equity included in related party	—			—				—			33		—			—			—			33
Salus participations, included in other invested assets	157			—				—			106		—			(69		)	—			194
Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	870		$	—			$	4		$	373	$	—		$	(71	)	$	(209	)	$	967
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,544		$	175			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	1,544		$	175			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2014 were exclusively to Level 2. There was a $6.0 transfer within the Level 3 asset class from commercial mortgage-backed securities to asset-backed securities.
The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications each reporting period. Changes in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets or liabilities. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in and out of Level 3, or between other levels, at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Primary market issuance and secondary market activity for certain asset-backed securities during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 increased the market observable inputs used to establish fair values for similar securities. These factors, along with more consistent pricing from third-party sources, resulted in the Company concluding that there is sufficient trading activity in similar instruments to support classifying these securities as Level 2 as of March 31, 2015 and 2014. Accordingly, the Company’s assessment resulted in net transfers out of Level 3 of $28 and $34 related to asset-backed and corporate securities during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015.
During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, there were net transfers out of Level 3 of $203 related to asset-backed securities.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	Information regarding VOBA and DAC which includes deferred sales inducement, is as follows:
		VOBA			DAC			Total
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	59		$	456		$	515
	Deferrals	—			174			174
	Less: Amortization related to:
	Unlocking	—			(8		)	(8		)
	Interest	6			11			17
	Amortization	(22		)	4			(18		)
	Add: Adjustment for unrealized investment losses	(17		)	(53		)	(70		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	26		$	584		$	610
	Accumulated amortization	$	370
		VOBA			DAC			Total
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	192		$	331		$	523
	Deferrals	—			116			116
	Less: Amortization related to:
	Unlocking	12			1			13
	Interest	7			7			14
	Amortization	(39		)	(22		)	(61		)
	Add: Adjustment for unrealized investment losses	(63		)	(42		)	(105		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	109		$	391		$	500
	Accumulated amortization	$	323
	Amortization of VOBA and DAC is based on the amount of gross margins or profits recognized, including investment gains and losses. The interest accrual rate utilized to calculate the accretion of interest on VOBA ranged from 4% to 5%. The adjustment for unrealized net investment gains represents the amount of VOBA and DAC that would have been amortized if such unrealized gains and losses had been recognized. This is referred to as the “shadow adjustments” as the additional amortization is reflected in AOCI rather than the statement of operations. As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the VOBA balance included cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment gains/losses of $182 and $164, respectively, and the DAC balances included cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment gains/losses of $108 and $56, respectively.
	The above DAC balances include $37 and $33 of deferred sales inducements, net of shadow adjustments, as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	The weighted average amortization period for VOBA is approximately 4.9 years. Estimated amortization expense for VOBA in future fiscal periods is as follows:
		Estimated Amortization Expense
	Fiscal Year	VOBA
	2015	$	19
	2016	35
	2017	29
	2018	23
	2019	19
	Thereafter	82

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	The Company's outstanding debt as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was as follows:
	(dollars in millions)	31-Mar-15		30-Sep-14
	Debt	$	300	$	300
	Revolving credit facility	—		—
	The interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs of the Company's debt for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14				31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	(dollars in millions)	Interest Expense		Amortization		Interest Expense		Amortization		Interest Expense		Amortization		Interest Expense		Amortization
	Debt	$	5	$	1	$	5	$	1	$	9	$	2	$	9	$	2
	Revolving credit facility	—		—		—		—		—		1		—		—
	As of August 26, 2014, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. ("FGLH"), a wholly owned subsidiary of FGL, as borrower, and the Company as guarantor, entered into a three-year $150 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lenders and RBC Capital Markets and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, acting as joint lead arrangers. The loan proceeds from the Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not drawn on the revolver. If the Company were to draw on the revolver, the interest rate would be equal to a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) the rate of interest determined by Royal Bank of Canada as its prime commercial lending rate for USD loans in the United States for such day as the "U.S. Prime Rate", and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for an interest period of one month beginning on such day (or if such day is not a business day, the business day immediately preceding such day) plus 1.00% per annum. As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the interest rate would be equal to 5.25%, had the Company drawn on the revolver.

Equity

Equity	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Equity
	Share Repurchase
	On September 2, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500 thousand shares of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock over the next twelve months. As of March 31, 2015, 463 thousand shares of common stock have been repurchased at cost for a total cost of $10, which are held in treasury, of which 451 thousand shares were pursuant to the repurchase program and 12 thousand shares were acquired to satisfy employee income tax withholding pursuant to the Company’s stock compensation plan. Subsequent to the Company's repurchase of shares, HRG indirectly held 47,000 thousand shares of FGL's outstanding common stock, representing an 81% interest at March 31, 2015.
	Dividends
	On November 18, 2014, FGL’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.065 per share. The dividend was paid on December 15, 2014 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 1, 2014 and total cash paid was $4 (based on fully vested, outstanding shares of 58,279 thousand).
	On February 10, 2015, FGL’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.065 per share. The dividend was paid on March 9, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 23, 2015 and total cash paid was $4 (based on fully vested, outstanding shares of 57,975 thousand).
	On May 1, 2015, FGL’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.065 per share. The dividend is payable on June 1, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 18, 2015.

Stock_Compensation

Stock Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Compensation	Stock Compensation
	The Company recognized total stock compensation expense related to the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans as follows:
			Three months ended					Six months ended
			31-Mar-15			31-Mar-14		31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	FGL Plans
	Stock options		$	1		$	—	$	1	$	—
	Restricted shares		4			—		5		—
	Performance restricted stock units		1			1		2		1
	Unrestricted shares		—			—		—		1
			6			1		8		2
	FGLH Plans
	Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		—			3		1		6
	2011 dividend equivalent plan		—			—		—		1
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		—			3		2		5
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - restricted stock units		—			1		1		1
	2012 dividend equivalent plan		—			—		—		—
			—			7		4		13
	Total stock compensation expense		6			8		12		15
	Related tax benefit		2			3		4		5
	Net stock compensation expense		$	4		$	5	$	8	$	10
	The stock compensation expense is included in "Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Total compensation expense related to the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans not yet recognized as of March 31, 2015 and the weighted-average period over which this expense will be recognized are as follows:
			Unrecognized Compensation			Weighted Average Recognition
			Expense			Period in Years
	FGL Plans
	Stock options		$	1		2
	Restricted shares		4			2
	Performance restricted stock units		7			2
	Unrestricted shares		—			N/A
			12
	FGLH Plans
	Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		—			N/A
	2011 dividend equivalent plan		—			N/A
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		1			1
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - restricted stock units		1			1
	2012 dividend equivalent plan		—			1
			2
	Total unrecognized stock compensation expense		$	14		2
	FGL Plans
	FGL’s Compensation Committee is authorized to grant up to 2,838 thousand equity awards under the FGL Plans. At March 31, 2015, 1,395 thousand equity awards are available for future issuance under the FGL Plans. On December 1, 2014, FGL granted 176 thousand stock options to certain officers, directors and other key employees under the Omnibus Plan. These stock options vest in equal installments over a period of three years and expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date. The total fair value of the option grants to certain officers, directors and other employees on the grant date was $1. On February 11, 2014, FGL granted 7 thousand stock options to certain directors under the Omnibus Plan. These stock options vest in equal installments over a period of three years and expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date. The total fair value of the option grants to certain officers, directors and other employees on the grant date was $0.
	On March 31, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with its former Chief Executive Officer in connection with his resignation pursuant to which the vesting for certain FGL and FGLH equity awards to the former Chief Executive Officer were accelerated. The former Chief Executive Officer forfeited two-thirds of the performance restricted stock units granted in fiscal year 2014, and all other previously awarded equity grants became vested as of March 31, 2015.  The exercise date of the outstanding stock options was extended to December 31, 2015.  No other terms of the equity awards were modified.  The Company recognized total incremental compensation expense of $2 as a result of these modifications.
	At March 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was $1, $1, and $1, respectively. At March 31, 2015, the weighted average remaining contractual term of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was 6 years, 6 years and 6 years, respectively.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the intrinsic value of stock options exercised, total cash received upon exercise and the related tax benefit realized was $0, $0 and $0, respectively.
	A summary of FGL’s outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (option amount in thousands):
	Stock Option Awards		Options		Weighted Average
					Exercise Price
	Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2014		242		$	17
	Granted		182		24.87
	Exercised		(3	)	17
	Forfeited or expired		(12	)	20.08
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015		409		20.35
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		221		19.52
	Vested or expected to vest at March 31, 2015		397		20.3
	The following assumptions were used in the determination of the grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and based on the value of FGL's common stock for stock options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2015:
	Weighted average fair value per option granted	$5.02
	Risk-free interest rate	1.40%
	Assumed dividend yield	1.20%
	Expected option term	4.5 years
	Volatility	25.00%
	The following assumptions were used in the determination of the grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the former Chief Executive Officer's modified stock options and based on the value of FGL's common stock:
	Weighted average fair value per option modified	$2.53
	Risk-free interest rate	0.20%
	Assumed dividend yield	1.20%
	Expected option term	0.75 years
Volatility	25.00%
Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of FGL’s stock price for awards granted in 2015.
On October 6, 2014, FGL granted 12 thousand restricted shares to a certain officer under the Omnibus Plan. These shares cliff vest in one year. The total fair value of the restricted shares granted to this officer on their grant date was $0.
On November 19, 2014, FGL also granted 100 thousand restricted shares to a certain director under the Omnibus Plan. These shares vest in three tranches; 20% on the first anniversary of the grant date; 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date; and 30% on the third anniversary of the grant date. The total fair value of the restricted shares granted to a certain director on their grant date was $2.
On December 1, 2014, FGL also granted 138 thousand restricted shares to certain directors, officers and other key employees under the Omnibus Plan. These shares vest in equal installments over a period of three years. The total fair value of the restricted shares granted to certain officers, directors and key employees on their grant date was $3.
On February 11, 2015, FGL also granted 48 thousand restricted shares to certain directors under the Omnibus Plan. 40 thousand shares vest in three tranches; 20% on the first anniversary of the grant date; 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date; and 30% on the third anniversary of the grant date and the remaining shares granted on February 11, 2015 vest in equal installments over a period of three years. The total fair value of the restricted shares granted to certain officers, directors and key employees on their grant date was $1.
On March 18, 2015, the expected requisite service periods for board members and executives that received certain FGL restricted shares granted on November 19, 2014 and February 11, 2015 were completed resulting in expense acceleration under the terms of the original awards due to their resignation from the Company’s Board and all related committee positions of the two grantees.  The Company recognized additional compensation expense of $3 as a result of the related equity compensation expense acceleration.
A summary of FGL’s restricted shares outstanding as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
Restricted Stock Awards		Shares		Weighted Average Grant
				Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2014		172		$	18.18
Granted		298		23.81
Vested		(228	)	21.64
Forfeited or expired		(13	)	20.62
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at March 31, 2015		229		21.96
On October 6, 2014, FGL also granted 32 thousand performance restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) to a senior executive officer under the Omnibus Plan. These units vest on September 30, 2016, contingent on the satisfaction of performance criteria and on the officer's continued employment unless otherwise noted in the agreement. PRSUs subject to vesting are adjusted based on FGL's financial yearly performance, which is evaluated on two non-GAAP measures: (1) adjusted operating income, and (2) return on equity. Depending on the performance results for each year, the ultimate payout of PRSUs could range from zero to 200% of the target award for each year. One-half of the award is earned based on each year’s results. The total fair value of the PRSUs on the grant date of October 6, 2014 assuming attainment of the target performance level in each year was $1.
A summary of PRSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
Performance Restricted Stock Units (PRSUs)		Shares		Weighted Average Grant
				Date Fair Value
Nonvested PRSUs outstanding at September 30, 2014		578		$	17.37
Granted, including 8 additional units based on 2014 financial performance		40		20.36
Vested		(45	)	17
Forfeited		(72	)	17
Nonvested PRSUs outstanding at March 31, 2015		501		17.69
Additionally, on October 6, 2014 and February 11, 2015, FGL granted unrestricted shares totaling 8 thousand and 1 thousand, respectively to certain directors in payment for services rendered. Total fair value of the unrestricted shares on the grant date was $0 and $0, respectively.
FGLH Plans
A summary of FGLH's outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
		FGLH
Stock Option Awards		Options		Weighted Average
				Exercise Price (a)
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2014		225		$	46.19
Granted		—		—
Exercised		(47	)	43.36
Forfeited or expired		(1	)	49.45
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015		177		46.94
Vested and exercisable at March 31, 2015		149		46.45
Vested or expected to vest at March 31, 2015		175		46.91
(a)	The exercise price is based on the value of FGLH’s common stock, not the value of the Company’s common stock. The fair value of FGLH stock at March 31, 2015 is $103.20 per share.
At March 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was $10, $8 and $10, respectively. At March 31, 2015, the weighted average remaining contractual term of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was 3 years, 2 years and 3 years, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $3 and $2, respectively.
A summary of FGLH's restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and related activity during the six months then ended is as follows (share amount in thousands):
Restricted Stock Awards		Shares		Weighted Average Grant
				Date Fair Value (a)
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2014		26		$	49.55
Granted		—		—
Vested		(14	)	49.45
Forfeited		—		49.45
Nonvested restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2015		12		49.68
(a)    Fair value is based on the value of FGLH’s common stock, not the value of the Company’s common stock.
The primary assumption used in the determination of the fair value of FGLH’s awards is the value of the Company’s common stock, which was $21.20 and $21.35 as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, with other assumptions as summarized in our 2014 Form 10-K.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes represents federal income taxes. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 were 0% and 82%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were 292% and (31)%, respectively. The effective tax rate on pre-tax income differs from the U.S Federal statutory rate primarily due to current period changes to the Company’s valuation allowance. The largest component impacting the current six month period is the valuation allowance established against non-life losses, which include impairment losses, compared to the prior six month period which did not have any non-life impairment losses.
	The Company maintains a valuation allowance against certain U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 382 ("Section 382") limited capital loss carry forwards and the deferred tax assets of its non-life insurance company subsidiaries. A valuation allowance has been placed against Section 382 limited capital loss carry forwards to reduce these deferred tax assets to an amount that is more-likely than not to be realized before the attributes expire. The non-life insurance company subsidiaries have a history of losses and insufficient sources of future income in order to recognize any portion of their deferred tax assets. All other deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized based on expectations as to our future taxable income and considering all other available evidence, both positive and negative.
	The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly and will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to support a release. At each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact the future realization of deferred tax assets. Management will consider a release of the valuation allowance once there is sufficient positive evidence that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Any release of the valuation allowance will be recorded as a tax benefit increasing net income or other comprehensive income.
	During the period ended March 31, 2014, market conditions changed sufficiently that Management determined it was prudent and feasible to adopt a new tax planning strategy. The strategy involved repositioning a portion of the investment portfolio to trigger $100 in net unrealized built-in gains (“NUBIG”). The sale of these assets will result in an increase to the Company’s Section 382 limit (i.e. the “adjusted limit”), enabling the Company to utilize capital loss carry forwards that will offset NUBIG-related gains. This strategy makes it more likely than not that the amount of capital loss carryforwards needed to offset those gains will be utilized. Therefore, a partial release of the valuation allowance offsetting the deferred tax asset related to capital loss carry forwards was recorded at the March 31, 2014 reporting date. Management intends to execute the remaining transactions prior to the expiration of Section 382-limited capital loss carry forwards. As of March 31, 2015, approximately $73 of NUBIG has been recognized locking in $26 in tax benefits. The Company currently has capital loss carry forwards of $245 that will expire December 31, 2015 if unused. The Company expects to utilize $27 of those capital loss carryforwards as part of its tax planning strategy adopted March 31, 2014.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had a partial valuation allowance of $124 against its gross deferred tax assets of $228. The valuation allowance is an offset to capital loss carryforwards (post tax planning strategy execution) expected to expire, as well as non-life company deferred tax assets that will most likely not be recovered due to lack of forecasted taxable income in the non-life segment.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Contingencies
	Regulatory and Litigation Matters
	FGL is assessed amounts by the state guaranty funds to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies. Those mandatory assessments may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. At March 31, 2015, FGL has accrued $4 for guaranty fund assessments which is expected to be offset by estimated future premium tax deductions of $4.
	The Company has received inquiries from a number of state regulatory authorities regarding its use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File (the "Death Master File") and compliance with state claims practices regulation. Legislation requiring insurance companies to use the Death Master File to identify potential claims has been enacted in a number of states. As a result of these legislative and regulatory developments, in May 2012, the Company undertook an initiative to use the Death Master File and other publicly available databases to identify persons potentially entitled to benefits under life insurance policies, annuities and retained asset accounts. In addition, the Company has received audit and examination notices from several state agencies responsible for escheatment and unclaimed property regulation in those states and in some cases has challenged the audits.  The Company established a contingency of $2 based on its estimates related to the external legal costs and administrative costs of challenging said audits and examinations of which $2 has been paid through March 31, 2015. Additional costs that cannot be reasonably estimated as of the date of this filing are possible as a result of ongoing regulatory developments and other future requirements related to this matter.
	The Company is involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings, including purported class actions, arising in the ordinary course of business. In some instances, these proceedings include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive damages and similar types of relief in addition to amounts for alleged contractual liability or requests for equitable relief. In the opinion of management and in light of existing insurance and other potential indemnification, reinsurance and established reserves, such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, although it is possible that the results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected by an unfavorable outcome in any one period.
	Except for the Eddie L. Cressy v. Fidelity Guaranty [sic] Life Insurance Company, et. al. class action Complaint and the complaint filed by Dale R. Ludwick, discussed below, there has been no material updates to our legal proceedings during the period. See "Note 14. Related Party Transactions", in our 2014 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our legal proceedings.
	On July 5, 2013, a putative class action Complaint was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (the "Court"), captioned Eddie L. Cressy v. Fidelity Guaranty [sic] Life Insurance Company, et. al. Case No. BC-514340. The state court Complaint asserts, inter alia, that the Plaintiff and members of the putative class relied on Defendants’ advice in purchasing unsuitable equity-indexed insurance policies.
	On April 4, 2014, the Plaintiff, FGL Insurance and the other two defendants signed a Settlement Agreement, pursuant to which FGL Insurance has agreed to pay a total of $5 to settle the claims of a nationwide class consisting, with certain exclusions, of all persons who own or owned an OM Financial/FGL Insurance indexed universal life insurance policy issued from January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2014, inclusive.  As part of the settlement, FGL Insurance agreed to certification of the nationwide class for settlement purposes only. An Amended Settlement Agreement was filed with the Court on June 5, 2014.
	On January 2, 2015, the Court entered the Final Judgment in Cressy, finally certifying the class for settlement purposes, and finally approving the class settlement. The implementation shall commence on or about August 10, 2015. The parties will advise the Court when the settlement is complete.
	At March 31, 2015, the Company estimated the total cost for the settlement, legal fees and other costs related to this class action would be $9 and established a liability for the unpaid portion of the estimate of $3. The Company has incurred and paid $4 related to legal fees and other costs and $2 related to settlement costs as of March 31, 2015. Based on the information currently available the Company does not expect the actual cost for settlement, legal fees and other related costs to differ materially from the amount accrued. The Company is seeking indemnification from OM Group (UK) Limited (“OMGUK”) under the First Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement, dated February 17, 2011 (the “F&G Stock Purchase Agreement”) between HFG and OMGUK related to the settlement and the costs and fees in defending the Cressy litigation in both the federal and state courts. The Company has established an amount recoverable from OMGUK for the amount of $4, the collection of which the Company believes is probable. The actual amount recovered from OMGUK could be greater or less than the Company’s estimate, but the Company anticipates that the amount recovered will not be materially different than its current estimate. The settlement, legal fees and other costs related to this class action and the amount recoverable from OMGUK is presented net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in “Benefits and other changes in policy reserves.”
	On January 7, 2015, a putative class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri, captioned Dale R. Ludwick, on behalf of Herself and All Others Similarly Situated v. Harbinger Group Inc., Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company, Raven Reinsurance Company, and Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. The complaint asserts claims of violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") and injunctive and declaratory relief. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages in an amount not presently determinable, treble damages, and injunctive relief, among other forms of relief. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend the litigation. On April 13, 2015, the Company joined in the filing of a joint motion to dismiss the complaint that was filed by all of the defendants. As of March 31, 2015, the Company did not have sufficient information to determine that the Company is exposed to any losses that would be either probable or reasonably estimable beyond an expense contingency estimate of $1, which was accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2015. On April 2, 2015, the Court entered a Scheduling Order, which requires the parties to: (i) hold a discovery conference by June 1, 2015; (ii) submit a discovery plan by June 15, 2015, with Plaintiff’s counsel taking the lead “in preparing the proposed plan”; (iii) designate a mediator by June 15, 2015 (unless the discovery conference is held earlier, and then the designation is fourteen days after the conference); (iv) hold a mediation within 75 days after June 1, 2015, which would be approximately August 15, 2015. The Court has not set a trial date.
	In light of the inherent uncertainties involved in the matter aforementioned, there can be no assurance that the litigation discussed above, or any other pending or future litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Reinsurance	Reinsurance
	The Company reinsures portions of its policy risks with other insurance companies. The use of reinsurance does not discharge an insurer from liability on the insurance ceded. The insurer is required to pay in full the amount of its insurance liability regardless of whether it is entitled to or able to receive payment from the reinsurer. The portion of risks exceeding the Company's retention limit is reinsured with other insurers. The Company seeks reinsurance coverage in order to limit its exposure to mortality losses and enhance capital management. The Company follows reinsurance accounting when there is adequate risk transfer. Otherwise, the deposit method of accounting is followed. The Company also assumes policy risks from other insurance companies.
	The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned, benefits incurred and reserve changes for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Three months ended												Six months ended
		March 31, 2015						March 31, 2014						March 31, 2015						March 31, 2014
		Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred			Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred			Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred			Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred
	Direct	$	64		$	239		$	67		$	256		$	127		$	533		$	134		$	553
	Assumed	8			9			10			6			17			16			19			12
	Ceded	(57		)	(76		)	(62		)	(83		)	(118		)	(153		)	(125		)	(169		)
	Net	$	15		$	172		$	15		$	179		$	26		$	396		$	28		$	396
	Amounts payable or recoverable for reinsurance on paid and unpaid claims are not subject to periodic or maximum limits. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not write off any reinsurance balances. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not commute any ceded reinsurance.
	No policies issued by the Company have been reinsured with any foreign company, which is controlled, either directly or indirectly, by a party not primarily engaged in the business of insurance.
	The Company has not entered into any reinsurance agreements in which the reinsurer may unilaterally cancel any reinsurance for reasons other than non-payment of premiums or other similar credit issues.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	FSRCI
	We have reinsured certain of our liabilities and obligations to FSRCI. As we are not relieved of our liability to the ceding companies for this business, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured policies remain on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance recoverable from FSRCI. In addition to various remedies that we would have in the event of a default by FSRCI, we continue to hold assets in support of the transferred reserves. At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company's reinsurance recoverable included $1,289 and $1,267, respectively, related to FSRCI and funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities included $1,291 and $1,293, respectively, related to FSRCI.
	Below are the ceded operating results to FSRCI for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	Revenues:	31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14				31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	Premiums	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1
	Net investment income	17				17				33				32
	Net investment (losses) gains	(21		)		4				(15		)		11
	Insurance and investment product fees	1				1				2				2
	Total revenues	(3		)		22				20				46
	Benefits and expenses:
	Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	(13		)		(14		)		(28		)		(32		)
	Acquisition & operating expenses, net of deferrals	(1		)		(1		)		(2		)		(4		)
	Total benefits and expenses	(14		)		(15		)		(30		)		(36		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(17	)		$	7			$	(10	)		$	10
	FGL Insurance participates in loans to third parties originated by Salus, an affiliated, limited liability company indirectly owned by HRG. Salus is also considered a VIE as described in “Note 4. Investments” to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Salus originates senior secured asset-based loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers. In addition to the participation in loans originated by Salus, FGL Insurance also agreed to provide Salus with financing in the form of a revolving loan and promissory note. In January 2014, FGL Insurance acquired from FSRCI preferred equity interests in Salus which have a 10% per annum return and a total par value of $30 which is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio. Accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in Salus is limited to the carrying value of the preferred equity interests, the promissory note and any amounts owed under the revolving loan as reported in its balance sheet. The carrying value of these investments in Salus as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are disclosed in the tables below.
	On February 27, 2015, FGL Insurance entered into a transaction with Salus whereby Salus transferred $14 of loan participations and $16 of CLO subordinated debt (i.e., equity tranche) to FGL Insurance in exchange for retirement of the $20 promissory note and $10 revolving loan owed by Salus to FGL Insurance resulting in the termination of these facilities. Additionally, FGL Insurance also entered into a transaction with the Salus CLO whereby FGL insurance transferred $29 of loan participations into the CLO in exchange for $27 of CLO subordinated notes (i.e., equity tranche) and a promissory note of $2 from Salus.  Both transactions qualified as sales of financial assets accounted for at fair value and therefore did not result in any gain or loss. FGL Insurance also concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the Salus CLO before and after these two transactions as FGL Insurance lacks the power to direct the activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the CLO and, to a lesser extent, FGL Insurance continues to own less than a majority ownership of the CLO subordinated notes (46%) after the two transactions.
	Please refer to "Note 4. Investments" to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the impairment of the Salus preferred equity interest recognized in the second fiscal quarter 2015.
	Please refer to "Note 5. Derivatives" to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of a new Canadian dollar foreign exchange swap agreement for one of our Salus loan participations that was executed during the second fiscal quarter 2015.
	The Company’s consolidated related party investments as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, and related net investment income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows:
				March 31, 2015
	Type	Balance Sheet Classification		Asset carrying value				Accrued Investment Income				Total carrying value
	Salus collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	260			$	1			$	261
	Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		203				2				205
	Salus preferred equity (a)	Equity securities, available-for-sale		12				—				12
	Salus participations (b)	Other invested assets		186				1				187
	Energy & Infrastructure Capital ("EIC") participations	Other Invested Assets		9				—				9
	Foreign exchange derivatives and embedded derivatives	Other invested assets		13				—				13
	HGI energy loan (c)	Related party loans		70				2				72
	Salus 2012 participations	Related party loans		1				—				1
	Salus promissory note	Related party loans		2				—				2
	(a) Salus preferred equity is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI.
	(b) Includes loan participations with 21 different borrowers with an average loan fair value of $9 as of March 31, 2015.
	(c) $20 of the total HGI energy loan is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly the income related to this portion is ceded to FSRCI.
				September 30, 2014
	Type	Balance Sheet Classification		Asset carrying value				Accrued Investment Income				Total carrying value
	Salus collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	239			$	1			$	240
	Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		195				2				197
	Salus preferred equity(a)	Equity securities, available-for-sale		34				—				34
	Salus participations	Other invested assets		213				2				215
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative	Other invested assets		2				—				2
	HGI energy loan (b)	Related party loans		70				2				72
	Salus 2012 participations	Related party loans		11				—				11
	Salus promissory note	Related party loans		20				—				20
	Salus revolver	Related party loans		10				—				10
	(a) Salus preferred equity is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI.
	(b) $20 of the total HGI energy loan is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly the income related to this portion is ceded to FSRCI.
				Three months ended								Six months ended
				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Type	Investment Income Classification		Net investment income				Net investment income				Net investment income				Net investment income
	Salus collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities		$	3			$	3			$	6			$	6
	Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities		2				—				4				—
	Salus participations	Other invested assets		3				6				8				10
	HGI energy loan	Related party loans		1				1				2				2
	Salus promissory note	Related party loans		—				1				1				1
	The Company had realized foreign exchange losses of $1 and $3 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 related to its CAD denominated loan participations originated by Salus. Additionally, the Company had foreign exchange derivative and embedded derivative gains of $10 and $11 or the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, included in other invested assets. The Company had foreign exchange losses of $0 and $0 and no foreign exchange embedded derivative gains or losses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. See "Note 5. Derivatives" for further details.
	The Company had realized impairment losses of $24 and $35 included in fixed maturities, available for sale and Other invested assets, respectively due to direct and indirect investments in RSH included within the Salus CLOs and the Salus participations. See "Note 4. Investments" to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (share amounts in thousands):
		Three months ended					Six months ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014		March 31, 2015		March 31, 2014
	Net (loss) income attributable to common shares - basic	$	(12	)	$	25	$	2	$	68
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	58,033			58,271		58,160		53,656
	Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock & PRSU	—			149		145		86
	Dilutive effect of stock options	—			27		27		15
	Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	58,033			58,447		58,332		53,757
	Net (loss) income per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.21	)	$	0.43	$	0.03	$	1.26
	Diluted	$	(0.21	)	$	0.42	$	0.03	$	1.26
	The number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating the weighted average thereof reflects the actual number of FGL shares of common stock outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock and shares held in treasury.
	Under applicable accounting guidance, companies in a loss position are required to use basic weighted-average common shares outstanding in the calculation of diluted loss per share. Therefore, as a result of our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015, we were required to use basic weighted-average common shares outstanding in the calculation of the three months ended March 31, 2015 diluted loss per share, as the inclusion of shares for stock options, restricted stock and PRSUs of 169 would have been antidilutive to the calculation. If we had not incurred a net loss in the three months ended March 31, 2015, dilutive potential common shares would have been 58,202.
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 excludes the incremental effect related to certain outstanding stock options and restricted stock due to their anti-dilutive effect. The number of weighted average equivalent shares excluded is 42 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 27 shares for the six months ended March 31, 2015.  Also, stock-based compensation awards under the FGLH Plans are settled in cash and, therefore, are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Insurance_Subsidiary_Financial

Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information and Regulatory Matters	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information and Regulatory Matters	Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information and Regulatory Matters
	FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Re reflects the effect of permitted practices Raven Re received to treat the available amount of a letter of credit as an admitted asset which increased Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus by $239 and $251 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Raven Re is also permitted to follow Iowa prescribed statutory accounting practice for its reserves on reinsurance assumed from FGL Insurance which increased Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus by $12 and $19 at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Without such permitted statutory accounting practices Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus would be negative $63 and negative $81 as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, and its risk-based capital would fall below the minimum regulatory requirements. The letter of credit facility is collateralized by National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) 1 rated debt securities. If the permitted practice was revoked, the letter of credit could be replaced by the collateral assets with Nomura’s consent.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies and Practices (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which FGL has a controlling financial interest (none of which are variable interest entities). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
	In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended guidance (ASU 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Project) which allows investors in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) programs that meet specified conditions to present the net tax benefits (net of the amortization of the cost of the investment) within income tax expense. The cost of the investments that meet the specified conditions will be amortized in proportion to (and over the same period as) the total expected tax benefits, including the tax credits and other tax benefits, as they are realized on the tax return. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively, if investors elect the proportional amortization method. However, if investors have existing LIHTC investments accounted for under the effective-yield method at adoption, they may continue to apply that method for those existing investments. The Company early adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2014 for all new LIHTC investments made subsequent to that date.  Prior LIHTC investments will continue to be accounted for under the effective-yield method.  This adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
	Share-Based Payments When a Performance Target is achieved after the Requisite Service Period
	In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on Stock Compensation (ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Term of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. The new guidance requires performance targets that affect vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period to be treated as performance conditions. Such performance targets would not be included in the grant-date fair value calculation of the award, rather compensation cost should be recorded when it is probable the performance target will be reached and should represent the compensation cost attributable to period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This standard may be early adopted and the amendments may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company will not early adopt this standard and is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities	The Company’s consolidated investments at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Available-for sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	2,200			$	11			$	(19	)		$	2,192		$	2,192
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	707				23				(1		)		729			729
	Corporates	9,253				648				(74		)		9,827			9,827
	Equities	574				35				(3		)		606			606
	Hybrids	1,303				74				(20		)		1,357			1,357
	Municipals	1,281				157				(2		)		1,436			1,436
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	2,108				108				(22		)		2,194			2,194
	U.S. Government	309				11				—				320			320
	Total available-for-sale securities	17,735				1,067				(141		)		18,661			18,661
	Derivative investments	205				83				(20		)		268			268
	Commercial mortgage loans	304				—				—				304			304
	Other invested assets	239				—				(7		)		232			232
	Total investments	$	18,483			$	1,150			$	(168	)		$	19,465		$	19,465
		September 30, 2014
		Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	2,040			$	12			$	(20	)		$	2,032		$	2,032
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	618				21				(2		)		637			637
	Corporates	9,329				499				(49		)		9,779			9,779
	Equities	679				24				(5		)		698			698
	Hybrids	1,279				52				(15		)		1,316			1,316
	Municipals	1,150				117				(7		)		1,260			1,260
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,985				140				(11		)		2,114			2,114
	U.S. Government	291				7				(1		)		297			297
	Total available-for-sale securities	17,371				872				(110		)		18,133			18,133
	Derivatives investments	178				123				(5		)		296			296
	Commercial mortgage loans	136				—				—				136			136
	Other invested assets	237				—				—				237			237
	Total investments	$	17,922			$	995			$	(115	)		$	18,802		$	18,802
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Available-for-Sale Securities	The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
	Corporates, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities:
	Due in one year or less	$	328			$	331
	Due after one year through five years	2,293				2,352
	Due after five years through ten years	2,894				3,027
	Due after ten years	5,918				6,514
	Subtotal	11,433				12,224
	Other securities which provide for periodic payments:
	Asset-backed securities	2,200				2,192
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	707				729
	Structured hybrids	713				716
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	2,108				2,194
	Subtotal	5,728				5,831
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	17,161			$	18,055
Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Available-for-Sale-Securities	The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category, were as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Less than 12 months								12 months or longer							Total
		Fair Value				Gross Unrealized				Fair Value				Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized
						Losses								Losses						Losses
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	578			$	(8	)		$	559			$	(11	)	$	1,137		$	(19	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	51				(1		)		8				—			59			(1		)
	Corporates	838				(32		)		761				(42		)	1,599			(74		)
	Equities	35				(1		)		50				(2		)	85			(3		)
	Hybrids	149				(8		)		144				(12		)	293			(20		)
	Municipals	63				(1		)		126				(1		)	189			(2		)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	412				(10		)		298				(12		)	710			(22		)
	U.S. Government	70				—				50				—			120			—
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	2,196			$	(61	)		$	1,996			$	(80	)	$	4,192		$	(141	)
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months																			322
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer																			247
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position																			569
		September 30, 2014
		Less than 12 months								12 months or longer							Total
		Fair Value				Gross Unrealized				Fair Value				Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized
						Losses								Losses						Losses
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	939			$	(13	)		$	290			$	(7	)	$	1,229		$	(20	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	160				(1		)		1				(1		)	161			(2		)
	Corporates	817				(16		)		1,127				(33		)	1,944			(49		)
	Equities	181				(2		)		54				(3		)	235			(5		)
	Hybrids	258				(2		)		290				(13		)	548			(15		)
	Municipals	—				—				265				(7		)	265			(7		)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	299				(6		)		178				(5		)	477			(11		)
	U.S Government	37				—				82				(1		)	119			(1		)
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	2,691			$	(40	)		$	2,287			$	(70	)	$	4,978		$	(110	)
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months																			324
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer																			311
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position																			635
Reconciliation of Other-than-Temporary Impairment on Fixed Maturity	A summary to the RSH-related impairments by investment is as follows:
	Type		Balance Sheet Classification		Impairment Loss
	Collateralized loan obligations (a)		Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	25
	Preferred equity (a)		Equity securities, available-for-sale		21
	Participations		Other invested assets		35
	Impairment, gross of reinsurance				$	81
	Preferred equity (a)		Equity securities, available-for-sale		(21		)
	Collateralized loan obligations (a)		Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		(1		)
	Impairment, net of reinsurance				$	59
	(a) Preferred equity and a portion of the collateralized loan obligations are included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on these assets are ceded to FSRCI.
	Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of OTTI that were recognized in net income and included in net realized (losses) gains on securities were as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14				31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	OTTI Recognized in Net Income:
	Asset-backed securities	$	24			$	—			$	24			$	—
	Corporates	2				—				2				—
	Other invested assets	35				—				35				—
	Total	$	61			$	—			$	61			$	—
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the credit loss portion of OTTI on fixed maturity securities held by the Company for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, for which a portion of the OTTI was recognized in AOCI:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Beginning balance	$	3			$	3			$	3			$	3
	Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
	Other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	—				—				—				—
	Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	—				—				—				—
	Ending balance	$	3			$	3			$	3			$	3
Schedule of Loans	The distribution of CMLs, gross of valuation allowances, by property type and geographic region is reflected in the following tables:
		March 31, 2015							30-Sep-14
		Gross Carrying Value				% of Total			Gross Carrying Value				% of Total
	Property Type:
	Industrial - General	$	20			7	%		$	—			—	%
	Industrial - Warehouse	47				15	%		48				35	%
	Multifamily	30				10	%		38				28	%
	Office	76				25	%		44				33	%
	Retail	123				40	%		6				4	%
	Apartment	7				3	%		—				—	%
	Funeral Home	1				—	%		—				—	%
	Total commercial mortgage loans	$	304			100	%		$	136			100	%
	US Region:
	East North Central	$	84			28	%		$	28			21	%
	Middle Atlantic	18				6	%		11				8	%
	Pacific	66				21	%		61				45	%
	South Atlantic	63				21	%		—				—	%
	West North Central	6				2	%		6				4	%
	West South Central	20				6	%		30				22	%
	Mountain	42				14	%		—				—	%
	New England	5				2	%		—				—	%
	Total commercial mortgage loans	$	304			100	%		$	136			100	%
Schedule of Investment in Mortgage Loans by Loan to Value and Debt Service Coverage Ratios	The following table presents the recorded investment in CMLs by LTV and DSC ratio categories and estimated fair value by the indicated loan-to-value ratios at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014:
		Debt-Service Coverage Ratios												Total Amount			% of Total		Estimated Fair Value				% of Total
		>1.25				1.00 - 1.25				N/A(a)
	March 31, 2015
	LTV Ratios:
	Less than 50%	$	74			$	—			$	1			$	75		25	%	$	75			25	%
	50% to 60%	64				20				—				84			28	%	84				28	%
	60% to 75%	145				—				—				145			47	%	145				47	%
	Commercial mortgage loans	$	283			$	20			$	1			$	304		100	%	$	304			100	%
	September 30, 2014
	LTV Ratios:
	Less than 50%	$	44			$	—			$	1			$	45		33	%	$	45			33	%
	50% to 60%	20				—				—				20			15	%	20				15	%
	60% to 75%	71				—				—				71			52	%	71				52	%
	Commercial mortgage loans	$	135			$	—			$	1			$	136		100	%	$	136			100	%
	(a) N/A - Current DSC ratio not available.
Loan Receivable Aging	The following provides the current and past due composition of our CMLs:
		March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
	Current to 30 days	$	304			$	136
	Total carrying value	$	304			$	136
Net Investment Income	The major sources of “Net investment income” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	194			$	175			$	390			$	351
	Equity available-for-sale securities	9				5				18				9
	Commercial mortgage loans	3				—				4				1
	Related party loans	1				2				3				4
	Other investments	5				6				11				10
	Gross investment income	212				188				426				375
	Investment expense	(4		)		(4		)		(10		)		(7		)
	Net investment income	$	208			$	184			$	416			$	368
Net Investment Gains	Details underlying “Net investment (losses) gains” reported on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Net realized (losses) gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	(19	)		$	6			$	(23	)		$	20
	Realized (losses) on equity securities	(3		)		—				(2		)		(1		)
	Net realized (losses) gains on securities	(22		)		6				(25		)		19
	Realized gains on certain derivative instruments	40				45				81				99
	Unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments	(47		)		(24		)		(46		)		37
	Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	(3		)		(29		)		16				(33		)
	Change in fair value of other derivatives and embedded derivatives	11				—				12				—
	Realized (losses) gains on derivatives and embedded derivatives	1				(8		)		63				103
	Realized losses on other invested assets	(37		)		—				(37		)		—
	Net investment (losses) gains	$	(58	)		$	(2	)		$	1			$	122

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Outstanding Derivative Contracts in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	The carrying amounts of derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in fixed indexed annuity (“FIA”) contracts, is as follows:
		March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
	Assets:
	Derivative investments:
	Call options	$	268			$	296
	Other invested assets:
	Other derivatives and embedded derivatives	25				13
	Other assets:
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative	92				77
		$	385			$	386
	Liabilities:
	Contractholder funds:
	FIA embedded derivative	$	2,217			$	1,908
	Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities:
	Call options payable to FSRCI	18				23
	Other liabilities:
	Futures contracts	1				1
		$	2,236			$	1,932
Schedule of Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	The change in fair value of derivative instruments included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Revenues:
	Net investment (losses) gains:
	Call options	$	(7	)		$	19			$	31		$	121
	Futures contracts	—				2				4			15
	Other derivatives and embedded derivatives	11				—				12			—
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative	(3		)		(29		)		16			(33		)
		$	1			$	(8	)		$	63		$	103
	Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
	FIA embedded derivatives	$	77			$	74			$	309		$	175
FGL's Exposure to Credit Loss on Call Options Held	Information regarding the Company’s exposure to credit loss on the call options it holds is presented in the following table:
					March 31, 2015													September 30, 2014
	Counterparty		Credit Rating		Notional				Fair Value			Collateral				Net Credit Risk		Notional		Fair Value		Collateral		Net Credit Risk
			(Fitch/Moody's/S&P) (a)		Amount													Amount
	Merrill Lynch		A/*/A		$	2,206			$	70		$	35			$	35	$	2,240	$	93	$	53	$	40
	Deutsche Bank		A+/A3/A		3,084				101			78				23		2,810		108		72		36
	Morgan Stanley		*/A3/A		3,270				95			65				30		2,295		85		63		22
	Barclay's Bank		A/A2/A		125				2			—				2		258		10		—		10
	Total				$	8,685			$	268		$	178			$	90	$	7,603	$	296	$	188	$	108

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Carrying at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for which the disclosure of fair values is required, including financial assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis, with the exception of investment contracts and debt, are summarized according to the hierarchy previously described, as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1			Level 2				Level 3			Fair Value		Carrying Amount
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	849		$	—			$	—		$	849	$	849
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			2,100				92			2,192		2,192
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			587				142			729		729
	Corporates	—			8,902				925			9,827		9,827
	Hybrids	—			1,357				—			1,357		1,357
	Municipals	—			1,396				40			1,436		1,436
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—			2,194				—			2,194		2,194
	U.S. Government	135			185				—			320		320
	Equity securities available-for-sale	27			561				18			606		606
	Derivative financial instruments	—			268				—			268		268
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets	—			92				—			92		92
	Other invested assets	—			13				219			232		232
	Total financial assets at fair value	$	1,011		$	17,655			$	1,436		$	20,102	$	20,102
	Liabilities
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—			$	2,217		$	2,217	$	2,217
	Derivative instruments - futures contracts	—			1				—			1		1
	Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—				13,709			13,709		15,304
	Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	—			18				—			18		18
	Debt	—			315				—			315		300
	Total financial liabilities at fair value	$	—		$	334			$	15,926		$	16,260	$	17,840
		September 30, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2				Level 3			Fair Value		Carrying Amount
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	576		$	—			$	—		$	576	$	576
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			1,958				74			2,032		2,032
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			554				83			637		637
	Corporates	—			8,945				834			9,779		9,779
	Hybrids	—			1,316				—			1,316		1,316
	Municipals	—			1,223				37			1,260		1,260
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—			2,114				—			2,114		2,114
	U.S. Government	116			181				—			297		297
	Equity securities available-for-sale	59			599				40			698		698
	Derivative financial instruments	—			296				—			296		296
	Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets	—			76				—			76		76
	Other invested assets	—			2				235			237		237
	Total financial assets at fair value	$	751		$	17,264			$	1,303		$	19,318	$	19,318
	Liabilities
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—			$	1,908		$	1,908	$	1,908
	Derivative instruments - futures contracts	—			1				—			1		1
	Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—				13,109			13,109		14,556
	Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	—			22				—			22		22
	Debt	—			317				—			317		300
	Total financial liabilities at fair value	$	—		$	340			$	15,017		$	15,357	$	16,787
Schedule of Unobservable Inputs Used for Level Three Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis	Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs used for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments carried at fair value as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are as follows:
			Fair Value at							Range (Weighted average)
			March 31, 2015			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)		March 31, 2015
	Assets
	Asset-backed securities		$	31		Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		100.00%
	Asset-backed securities (Salus CLO equity tranche)		40			Third-Party Valuation		Offered quotes		59.21%
								Discount rate		16.50%
								Constant default rate		2.00%
								RSH recovery		RSH - 30.00% recovery
	Asset-backed securities		3			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		109.94%
	Asset-backed securities (Salus CLO)		18			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		99.90%
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		97			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		100.00% - 120.75% (114.09%)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		45			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		105.75% - 122.50% (115.47%)
	Corporates		527			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		67.44% - 122.61% (102.44%)
	Corporates		398			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		75.00% - 149.80% (103.49%)
	Municipals		40			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		114.50%
	Equity securities available-for-sale		6			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		100.00%
	Equity securities available-for-sale (Salus preferred equity)		12			Market-approach		Yield		9.24% - 10.74%
								RSH recovery		RSH - 30.00% recovery
								Discount rate		27.00%
								Salus CLO equity		59.21%
	Other invested assets:
	Available-for-sale embedded derivative		12			Black Scholes model		Market value of AnchorPath fund		100.00%
	Salus participations		180			Market Pricing		Offered quotes		100.00%
	Salus participation - RSH Corporation		15			Liquidation Value - 30% recovery estimate		Sales agreements		100.00%
								Cash		100.00%
								Inventory		50.00% of book value
								Accounts receivable		50.00% - 100.00% of book value
								Intellectual property		100.00% of appraisal of orderly liquidation value
								Real estate		Bids; 60.00%-65.00% of book value
								Wind-down expenses		100.00% estimated expense
	Total		$	1,424
	Liabilities
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds		$	2,217		Discounted Cash Flow		Market value of option		0.00% - 42.05% (2.80%)
								SWAP rates		1.53% - 2.03% (1.78%)
								Morality multiplier		80.00%
								Surrender rates		0.50% - 75.00% (7.00%)
								Non-performance spread		0.25%
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	2,217
			Fair Value at							Range (Weighted average)
			September 30, 2014			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)		30-Sep-14
	Assets
	Asset-backed securities		$	74		Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		95.45% - 109.26% (99.26%)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		83			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		105.25% - 121.00% (118.29%)
	Corporates		832			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		61.67% - 119.75% (100.04%)
	Corporates		2			Matrix Pricing		Quoted prices		142.30%
	Municipals		37			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		106.64%
	Equity securities available-for-sale		6			Broker-quoted		Offered quotes		99.75%
	Equity securities available-for-sale		34			Market-approach		Yield		8.31% - 9.81%
	Other invested assets:
	Available-for-sale embedded derivative		11			Black scholes model		Net asset value of AnchorPath fund		100.00%
	Salus participations		213			Market Pricing		Offered quotes		100.00%
	Total		$	1,292
	Liabilities
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds		$	1,908		Discounted Cash Flow		Market value of option		0.00% - 49.82% (3.37%)
								SWAP rates		1.93% - 2.64% (2.29%)
								Morality multiplier		80.00%
								Surrender rates		0.50% - 75.00% (7.00%)
								Non-performance spread		0.25%
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	1,908
Changes in Fair Value of Financial Instruments	This summary excludes any impact of amortization of VOBA and DAC. The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings				AOCI
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	$	71		$	(25	)		$	2		$	63	$	(15	)	$	—		$	(4	)	$	92
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	120			—				1			21		—			—			—			142
	Corporates	901			2				15			62		—			(31		)	(24		)	925
	Municipals	39			—				1			—		—			—			—			40
	Equity securities available-for-sale	38			(21		)		1			—		—			—			—			18
	Other invested assets:
	Available-for-sale embedded derivative	12			—				—			—		—			—			—			12
	Salus participations, included in other invested assets	237			(36		)		(4		)	22		—			(24		)	—			195
	Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	1,418		$	(80	)		$	16		$	168	$	(15	)	$	(55	)	$	(28	)	$	1,424
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	2,140		$	77			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
	Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	2,140		$	77			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
	(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were exclusively to Level 2.
		Six months ended March 31, 2015
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings				AOCI
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	$	74		$	(25	)		$	2		$	66	$	(15	)	$	—		$	(10	)	$	92
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	83			—				2			57		—			—			—			142
	Corporates	834			2				24			123		—			(34		)	(24		)	925
	Municipals	37			—				3			—		—			—			—			40
	Equity securities available-for-sale	40			(21		)		(1		)	—		—			—			—			18
	Other invested assets:
	Available-for-sale embedded derivative	11			1				—			—		—			—			—			12
	Salus participations, included in other invested assets	213			(37		)		(4		)	78		—			(55		)	—			195
	Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	1,292		$	(80	)		$	26		$	324	$	(15	)	$	(89	)	$	(34	)	$	1,424
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,908		$	309			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
	Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	1,908		$	309			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,217
	(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2015 were exclusively to Level 2.
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings				AOCI
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	$	251		$	—			$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	(203	)	$	47
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6			—				—			—		—			—			(6		)	—
	Corporates	607			—				10			42		—			(2		)	—			657
	Municipals	34			—				2			—		—			—			—			36
	Other invested assets:
	Salus preferred equity included in related party	—			—				—			33		—			—			—			33
	Salus participations, included in other invested assets	200			—				—			27		—			(33		)	—			194
	Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	1,098		$	—			$	11		$	102	$	—		$	(35	)	$	(209	)	$	967
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,645		$	74			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
	Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	1,645		$	74			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
	(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were exclusively to Level 2. There was a $6.0 transfer within the Level 3 asset class from commercial mortgage-backed securities to asset-backed securities.
		Six months ended March 31, 2014
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)							Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in				Included in											Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings				AOCI
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	$	246		$	—			$	(1	)	$	5	$	—		$	—		$	(203	)	$	47
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6			—				—			—		—			—			(6		)	—
Corporates	461			—				4			194		—			(2		)	—			657
Municipals	—			—				1			35		—			—			—			36
Other invested assets:
Salus preferred equity included in related party	—			—				—			33		—			—			—			33
Salus participations, included in other invested assets	157			—				—			106		—			(69		)	—			194
Total assets at Level 3 fair value	$	870		$	—			$	4		$	373	$	—		$	(71	)	$	(209	)	$	967
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,544		$	175			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value	$	1,544		$	175			$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,719
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2014 were exclusively to Level 2. There was a $6.0 transfer within the Level 3 asset class from commercial mortgage-backed securities to asset-backed securities.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Definite Lived Intangible Assets	Information regarding VOBA and DAC which includes deferred sales inducement, is as follows:
		VOBA			DAC			Total
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	59		$	456		$	515
	Deferrals	—			174			174
	Less: Amortization related to:
	Unlocking	—			(8		)	(8		)
	Interest	6			11			17
	Amortization	(22		)	4			(18		)
	Add: Adjustment for unrealized investment losses	(17		)	(53		)	(70		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	26		$	584		$	610
	Accumulated amortization	$	370
		VOBA			DAC			Total
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	192		$	331		$	523
	Deferrals	—			116			116
	Less: Amortization related to:
	Unlocking	12			1			13
	Interest	7			7			14
	Amortization	(39		)	(22		)	(61		)
	Add: Adjustment for unrealized investment losses	(63		)	(42		)	(105		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	109		$	391		$	500
	Accumulated amortization	$	323
Estimated Amortization Expense for VOBA and DAC in Future Fiscal Periods	Estimated amortization expense for VOBA in future fiscal periods is as follows:
		Estimated Amortization Expense
	Fiscal Year	VOBA
	2015	$	19
	2016	35
	2017	29
	2018	23
	2019	19
	Thereafter	82

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	The Company's outstanding debt as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was as follows:
	(dollars in millions)	31-Mar-15		30-Sep-14
	Debt	$	300	$	300
	Revolving credit facility	—		—
	The interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs of the Company's debt for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were as follows:
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14				31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	(dollars in millions)	Interest Expense		Amortization		Interest Expense		Amortization		Interest Expense		Amortization		Interest Expense		Amortization
	Debt	$	5	$	1	$	5	$	1	$	9	$	2	$	9	$	2
	Revolving credit facility	—		—		—		—		—		1		—		—

Stock_Compensation_Tables

Stock Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan	The Company recognized total stock compensation expense related to the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans as follows:
			Three months ended					Six months ended
			31-Mar-15			31-Mar-14		31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	FGL Plans
	Stock options		$	1		$	—	$	1	$	—
	Restricted shares		4			—		5		—
	Performance restricted stock units		1			1		2		1
	Unrestricted shares		—			—		—		1
			6			1		8		2
	FGLH Plans
	Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		—			3		1		6
	2011 dividend equivalent plan		—			—		—		1
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		—			3		2		5
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - restricted stock units		—			1		1		1
	2012 dividend equivalent plan		—			—		—		—
			—			7		4		13
	Total stock compensation expense		6			8		12		15
	Related tax benefit		2			3		4		5
	Net stock compensation expense		$	4		$	5	$	8	$	10
Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan, Unrecognized	Total compensation expense related to the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans not yet recognized as of March 31, 2015 and the weighted-average period over which this expense will be recognized are as follows:
			Unrecognized Compensation			Weighted Average Recognition
			Expense			Period in Years
	FGL Plans
	Stock options		$	1		2
	Restricted shares		4			2
	Performance restricted stock units		7			2
	Unrestricted shares		—			N/A
			12
	FGLH Plans
	Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		—			N/A
	2011 dividend equivalent plan		—			N/A
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - stock options		1			1
	Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - restricted stock units		1			1
	2012 dividend equivalent plan		—			1
			2
	Total unrecognized stock compensation expense		$	14		2
Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Related Activity	A summary of FGLH's outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
			FGLH
	Stock Option Awards		Options		Weighted Average
					Exercise Price (a)
	Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2014		225		$	46.19
	Granted		—		—
	Exercised		(47	)	43.36
	Forfeited or expired		(1	)	49.45
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015		177		46.94
	Vested and exercisable at March 31, 2015		149		46.45
	Vested or expected to vest at March 31, 2015		175		46.91
	(a)	The exercise price is based on the value of FGLH’s common stock, not the value of the Company’s common stock. The fair value of FGLH stock at March 31, 2015 is $103.20 per share.
	A summary of FGL’s outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (option amount in thousands):
	Stock Option Awards		Options		Weighted Average
					Exercise Price
	Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2014		242		$	17
	Granted		182		24.87
	Exercised		(3	)	17
	Forfeited or expired		(12	)	20.08
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015		409		20.35
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		221		19.52
	Vested or expected to vest at March 31, 2015		397		20.3
Assumptions Used in Determination of Grant Date Fair Values Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	The following assumptions were used in the determination of the grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and based on the value of FGL's common stock for stock options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2015:
	Weighted average fair value per option granted	$5.02
	Risk-free interest rate	1.40%
	Assumed dividend yield	1.20%
	Expected option term	4.5 years
	Volatility	25.00%
	The following assumptions were used in the determination of the grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the former Chief Executive Officer's modified stock options and based on the value of FGL's common stock:
	Weighted average fair value per option modified	$2.53
	Risk-free interest rate	0.20%
	Assumed dividend yield	1.20%
	Expected option term	0.75 years
	Volatility	25.00%
Summary of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Outstanding and Related Activity	A summary of FGLH's restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and related activity during the six months then ended is as follows (share amount in thousands):
	Restricted Stock Awards		Shares		Weighted Average Grant
					Date Fair Value (a)
	Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2014		26		$	49.55
	Granted		—		—
	Vested		(14	)	49.45
	Forfeited		—		49.45
	Nonvested restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2015		12		49.68
	(a)    Fair value is based on the value of FGLH’s common stock, not the value of the Company’s common stock.
	A summary of FGL’s restricted shares outstanding as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
	Restricted Stock Awards		Shares		Weighted Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2014		172		$	18.18
	Granted		298		23.81
	Vested		(228	)	21.64
	Forfeited or expired		(13	)	20.62
	Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at March 31, 2015		229		21.96
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity	A summary of PRSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2015, and related activity during the six months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
	Performance Restricted Stock Units (PRSUs)		Shares		Weighted Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Nonvested PRSUs outstanding at September 30, 2014		578		$	17.37
	Granted, including 8 additional units based on 2014 financial performance		40		20.36
	Vested		(45	)	17
	Forfeited		(72	)	17
	Nonvested PRSUs outstanding at March 31, 2015		501		17.69

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Earned, Benefits Incurred and Reserve Changes	The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned, benefits incurred and reserve changes for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Three months ended												Six months ended
		March 31, 2015						March 31, 2014						March 31, 2015						March 31, 2014
		Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred			Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred			Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred			Net Premiums Earned			Net Benefits Incurred
	Direct	$	64		$	239		$	67		$	256		$	127		$	533		$	134		$	553
	Assumed	8			9			10			6			17			16			19			12
	Ceded	(57		)	(76		)	(62		)	(83		)	(118		)	(153		)	(125		)	(169		)
	Net	$	15		$	172		$	15		$	179		$	26		$	396		$	28		$	396

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Below are the ceded operating results to FSRCI for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	Revenues:	31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14				31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	Premiums	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1
	Net investment income	17				17				33				32
	Net investment (losses) gains	(21		)		4				(15		)		11
	Insurance and investment product fees	1				1				2				2
	Total revenues	(3		)		22				20				46
	Benefits and expenses:
	Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	(13		)		(14		)		(28		)		(32		)
	Acquisition & operating expenses, net of deferrals	(1		)		(1		)		(2		)		(4		)
	Total benefits and expenses	(14		)		(15		)		(30		)		(36		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(17	)		$	7			$	(10	)		$	10
	The Company’s consolidated related party investments as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, and related net investment income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows:
				March 31, 2015
	Type	Balance Sheet Classification		Asset carrying value				Accrued Investment Income				Total carrying value
	Salus collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	260			$	1			$	261
	Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		203				2				205
	Salus preferred equity (a)	Equity securities, available-for-sale		12				—				12
	Salus participations (b)	Other invested assets		186				1				187
	Energy & Infrastructure Capital ("EIC") participations	Other Invested Assets		9				—				9
	Foreign exchange derivatives and embedded derivatives	Other invested assets		13				—				13
	HGI energy loan (c)	Related party loans		70				2				72
	Salus 2012 participations	Related party loans		1				—				1
	Salus promissory note	Related party loans		2				—				2
	(a) Salus preferred equity is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI.
	(b) Includes loan participations with 21 different borrowers with an average loan fair value of $9 as of March 31, 2015.
	(c) $20 of the total HGI energy loan is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly the income related to this portion is ceded to FSRCI.
				September 30, 2014
	Type	Balance Sheet Classification		Asset carrying value				Accrued Investment Income				Total carrying value
	Salus collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	239			$	1			$	240
	Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		195				2				197
	Salus preferred equity(a)	Equity securities, available-for-sale		34				—				34
	Salus participations	Other invested assets		213				2				215
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative	Other invested assets		2				—				2
	HGI energy loan (b)	Related party loans		70				2				72
	Salus 2012 participations	Related party loans		11				—				11
	Salus promissory note	Related party loans		20				—				20
	Salus revolver	Related party loans		10				—				10
	(a) Salus preferred equity is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI.
	(b) $20 of the total HGI energy loan is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly the income related to this portion is ceded to FSRCI.
				Three months ended								Six months ended
				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Type	Investment Income Classification		Net investment income				Net investment income				Net investment income				Net investment income
	Salus collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities		$	3			$	3			$	6			$	6
	Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations	Fixed maturities		2				—				4				—
	Salus participations	Other invested assets		3				6				8				10
	HGI energy loan	Related party loans		1				1				2				2
	Salus promissory note	Related party loans		—				1				1				1

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Basic and Diluted EPS	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (share amounts in thousands):
		Three months ended					Six months ended
		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014		March 31, 2015		March 31, 2014
	Net (loss) income attributable to common shares - basic	$	(12	)	$	25	$	2	$	68
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	58,033			58,271		58,160		53,656
	Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock & PRSU	—			149		145		86
	Dilutive effect of stock options	—			27		27		15
	Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	58,033			58,447		58,332		53,757
	Net (loss) income per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.21	)	$	0.43	$	0.03	$	1.26
	Diluted	$	(0.21	)	$	0.42	$	0.03	$	1.26

Significant_Risks_and_Uncertai1

Significant Risks and Uncertainties (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Wilton Reassurance Company
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Net amount recoverable	$1,514
Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Net amount recoverable	1,289
All Financial Instruments
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
FGL's investment securities in the banking industry	2,274	2,240
Exposure of FGL's invested assets	12.00%	12.00%
Number of issuers in investment	83
Percentage of total holdings in industry	39.00%
Issuers Over 10% Holdings
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
FGL's investment securities in the banking industry		365
Exposure of FGL's invested assets		2.00%
Number of issuers in investment		2
Single Issuer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
FGL's investment securities in the banking industry	$188	$185
Exposure of FGL's invested assets	1.00%	1.00%
Number of issuers in investment	1

Investments_AvailableforSale_S

Investments - Available-for-Sale Securities Table (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	$17,735	$17,371
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,067	872
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-141	-110
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	18,661	18,133
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	18,661	18,133
Derivative Investments, Cost or Amortized Cost	205	178
Derivative Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains	83	123
Derivative Investments, Gross Unrealized Losses	-20	-5
Derivative Investments, Fair Value	268	296
Derivative Investments, Carrying Value	268	296
Investment, Commercial Mortgage Loans, Amortized Cost	304	136
Commercial Mortgage Loans, Gross Unrealized Gain	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Loans, Gross Unrealized Loss	0	0
Commercial mortgage loans, fair value	304	136
Total carrying value	304	136
Total Investments, Cost or Amortized Cost	18,483	17,922
Total Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,150	995
Total Investments, Gross Unrealized Losses	-168	-115
Total Investment, Fair Value	19,465	18,802
Total Investments, Carrying Value	19,465	18,802
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	2,200	2,040
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	11	12
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-19	-20
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,192	2,032
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	2,192	2,032
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	707	618
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	23	21
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	729	637
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	729	637
Corporates
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	9,253	9,329
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	648	499
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-74	-49
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	9,827	9,779
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	9,827	9,779
Equities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	574	679
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	35	24
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	-5
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	606	698
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	606	698
Hybrids
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	1,303	1,279
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	74	52
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-20	-15
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,357	1,316
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	1,357	1,316
Municipals
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	1,281	1,150
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	157	117
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2	-7
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,436	1,260
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	1,436	1,260
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	2,108	1,985
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	108	140
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-22	-11
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,194	2,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	2,194	2,114
U.S. Government
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	309	291
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	11	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	320	297
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	320	297
Other invested assets
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	239	237
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-7	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	232	237
Available-for-sale Securities, Carrying Value	$232	$237

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and

Investments - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	$5,728
Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, Amortized Cost	17,161	16,692
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	5,831
Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	18,055
U.S. Government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	328
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	2,293
Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	2,894
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	5,918
Subtotal, Amortized Cost	11,433
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	331
Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	2,352
Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	3,027
Due after ten years, Fair Value	6,514
Subtotal, Fair Value	12,224
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	2,200
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	2,192
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	707
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	729
Structured hybrids
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	713
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	716
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	2,108
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	$2,194

Investments_Fair_Value_and_Gro

Investments - Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Security	Security
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	$2,196	$2,691
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-61	-40
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	1,996	2,287
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-80	-70
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	4,192	4,978
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-141	-110
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, Less than 12 months	322	324
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer	247	311
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position	569	635
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	578	939
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-8	-13
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	559	290
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-11	-7
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	1,137	1,229
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-19	-20
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	51	160
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-1	-1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	8	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	0	-1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	59	161
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-1	-2
Corporates
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	838	817
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-32	-16
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	761	1,127
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-42	-33
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	1,599	1,944
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-74	-49
Equities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	35	181
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-1	-2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	50	54
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-2	-3
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	85	235
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-3	-5
Hybrids
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	149	258
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-8	-2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	144	290
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-12	-13
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	293	548
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-20	-15
Municipals
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	63	0
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-1	0
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	126	265
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-1	-7
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	189	265
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-2	-7
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	412	299
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-10	-6
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	298	178
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-12	-5
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	710	477
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-22	-11
U.S. Government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	70	37
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	50	82
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	0	-1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	120	119
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	$0	($1)

Investments_Reconciliation_of_

Investments - Reconciliation of Other than Temporary Impairment on Fixed Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$3	$3	$3	$3
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	0	0	0	0
Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	3	3	3	3
Other-than-temporary impairments	61	0	61	0
Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments			81
OTTI, Net of Reinsurance			59
Collateralized Loan Obligations | Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments			25
OTTI, Reinsurance Coverage			-1
Salus Preferred Stock | Equity available-for-sale securities | Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments			21
OTTI, Reinsurance Coverage			-21
Salus Participations | Other invested assets | Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments			35
Asset-backed securities
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments	24	0	24	0
Corporates
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments	2	0	2	0
Other invested assets
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairments	$35	$0	$35	$0

Investments_Schedule_of_Commer

Investments - Schedule of Commercial Mortgage Loan Investment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	$304	$136
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	100.00%	100.00%
East North Central
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	84	28
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	28.00%	21.00%
Middle Atlantic
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	18	11
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	6.00%	8.00%
Pacific
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	66	61
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	21.00%	45.00%
South Atlantic
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	63	0
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	21.00%	0.00%
West North Central
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	6	6
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	2.00%	4.00%
West South Central
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	20	30
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	6.00%	22.00%
Mountain
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	42	0
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	14.00%	0.00%
New England
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	5	0
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	2.00%	0.00%
Industrial - General
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	20	0
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	7.00%	0.00%
Industrial - Warehouse
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	47	48
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	15.00%	35.00%
Multifamily
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	30	38
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	10.00%	28.00%
Office
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	76	44
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	25.00%	33.00%
Retail
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	123	6
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	40.00%	4.00%
Apartment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	7	0
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	3.00%	0.00%
Funeral Home
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	$1	$0
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	0.00%	0.00%

Investments_Commercial_Loans_b

Investments - Commercial Loans by LTV and DSCR (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	$304	$136
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	100.00%	100.00%
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	304	136
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	100.00%	100.00%
Less than 50%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	75	45
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	25.00%	33.00%
Less than 50% | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	75	45
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	25.00%	33.00%
50% to 60%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	84	20
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	28.00%	15.00%
50% to 60% | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	84	20
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	28.00%	15.00%
60% to 75%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	145	71
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	47.00%	52.00%
60% to 75% | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	145	71
Commercial Mortgage Receivable, Percentage of Total	47.00%	52.00%
Greater Than 1.25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	283	135
Greater Than 1.25 | Less than 50%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	74	44
Greater Than 1.25 | 50% to 60%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	64	20
Greater Than 1.25 | 60% to 75%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	145	71
Greater Than 1.0 But Less Than 1.25
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	20	0
Greater Than 1.0 But Less Than 1.25 | Less than 50%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	0	0
Greater Than 1.0 But Less Than 1.25 | 50% to 60%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	20	0
Greater Than 1.0 But Less Than 1.25 | 60% to 75%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	0	0
Ratio Not Available
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	1	1
Ratio Not Available | Less than 50%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	1	1
Ratio Not Available | 50% to 60%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	0	0
Ratio Not Available | 60% to 75%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Commercial mortgage loans	$0	$0

Investments_Schedule_of_Loan_A

Investments - Schedule of Loan Aging (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total carrying value	$304	$136
Financing Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Current to 30 days	$304	$136

Investments_Net_Investment_Inc

Investments - Net Investment Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross investment income	$212	$188	$426	$375
External investment expense	-4	-4	-10	-7
Net investment income	208	184	416	368
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross investment income	194	175	390	351
Equity available-for-sale securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross investment income	9	5	18	9
Commercial mortgage loans
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross investment income	3	0	4	1
Related party loans
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross investment income	1	2	3	4
Other investments
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross investment income	$5	$6	$11	$10

Investments_Net_Investment_Gai

Investments - Net Investment Gains (Losses) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Abstract]
Net realized (losses) gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	($19)	$6	($23)	$20
Realized (losses) on equity securities	-3	0	-2	-1
Net realized (losses) gains on securities	-22	6	-25	19
Realized gains on certain derivative instruments	40	45	81	99
Unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments	-47	-24	-46	37
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-3	-29	16	-33
Change in fair value of other derivatives and embedded derivatives	11	0	12	0
Realized (losses) gains on derivatives and embedded derivatives	1	-8	63	103
Realized losses on other invested assets	-37	0	-37	0
Net investment (losses) gains	($58)	($2)	$1	$122

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	Investment	Investment	variable_interest_entity	Investment
			Investment
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Non-income producing investments	0	0	0	0
FHLB collateral pledged	$558,000,000		$558,000,000		$573,000,000
Fair value on securities	21,000,000		21,000,000		0
Percentage of amortized cost			20.00%
Percentage of carrying values of all investments (less than 1%)			1.00%
Other-than-temporary impairments	61,000,000	0	61,000,000	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,735,000,000		17,735,000,000		17,371,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities	18,661,000,000		18,661,000,000		18,133,000,000
VIE, Nonconsolidated			2
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Salus Capital Partners LLC
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
VIE, Maximum loss exposure	275,000,000		275,000,000		304,000,000
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Fifth Street Management LLC
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
VIE, Maximum loss exposure	40,000,000		40,000,000		40,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Assets held by regulators	15,986,000,000		15,986,000,000		15,009,000,000
Proceeds from sale, maturity and collection of investments			-1,806,000,000	-2,676,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale, maturity and collection of investments	-996,000,000	-964,000,000	-1,806,000,000	-2,628,000,000
Gain on sale of investments	10,000,000	8,000,000	20,000,000	23,000,000
Loss on sale of investments	-29,000,000	-2,000,000	-43,000,000	-3,000,000
Commercial mortgage loans
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Percent of total investments	2.00%		2.00%		1.00%
Ratio of performing loans	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
LTV, maximum threshold	75.00%		75.00%		75.00%
Allowance for loan and lease receivable	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized gain related to non credit portion of OTTI included in AOCI	1,000,000		1,000,000
Unrealized losses included in AOCI related to the non-credit portion of other than-temporary impairments on non-agency residential-mortgage-backed securities					-2,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,108,000,000		2,108,000,000		1,985,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities	2,194,000,000		2,194,000,000		2,114,000,000
Asset Backed Securities and Corporate Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	116,000,000		116,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities	55,000,000		55,000,000
Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairments			81,000,000
OTTI, Net of Reinsurance			$59,000,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Total asset derivatives	$385	$386
Total liability derivatives	2,236	1,932
Call options | Derivative Instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Total asset derivatives	268	296
Call options | Funds withheld for reinsurance liability
Derivative [Line Items]
Total liability derivatives	18	23
Future | Other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Total liability derivatives	1	1
Other Embedded Derivative | Other invested assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Total asset derivatives	25	13
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Total asset derivatives	92	77
Fia Embedded Derivatives | Contractholder funds
Derivative [Line Items]
Total liability derivatives	$2,217	$1,908

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments - Schedule of Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	($3,000,000)	($29,000,000)	$16,000,000	($33,000,000)
Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	1,000,000	-8,000,000	63,000,000	103,000,000
Call options | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-7,000,000	19,000,000	31,000,000	121,000,000
Future | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	0	2,000,000	4,000,000	15,000,000
Other Embedded Derivative | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	11,000,000	0	12,000,000	0
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-3,000,000	-29,000,000	16,000,000	-33,000,000
Fia Embedded Derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	$77,000,000	$74,000,000	$309,000,000	$175,000,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments - FGL's Exposure to Credit Loss on Call Options Held (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	385	$386
Maximum exposure	90	108
Merrill Lynch
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	A/*/A
Deutsche Bank
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	A+/A3/A
Morgan Stanley
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	*/A3/A
Barclay's Bank
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	A/A2/A
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Call options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,685	7,603
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	268	296
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	178	188
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Call options | Merrill Lynch
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,206	2,240
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	70	93
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	35	53
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	35	40
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Call options | Deutsche Bank
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,084	2,810
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	101	108
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	78	72
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	23	36
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Call options | Morgan Stanley
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,270	2,295
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	95	85
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	65	63
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	30	22
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Call options | Barclay's Bank
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	125	258
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	2	10
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	2	$10

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 16, 2014
			loan
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Value	$1,424,000,000	$967,000,000	$1,424,000,000	$967,000,000	$1,418,000,000	$1,292,000,000	$1,098,000,000	$870,000,000
Number of participating loans			5
Number of participating loans with reimbursement provisions			2
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	3,000,000	29,000,000	-16,000,000	33,000,000
Number of participating loans without reimbursement provisions			3
Receivable for participating loans	9,000,000		9,000,000
Maximum exposure	90,000,000		90,000,000			108,000,000
Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-1,000,000	8,000,000	-63,000,000	-103,000,000
Other Embedded Derivative | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-11,000,000	0	-12,000,000	0
Foreign Exchange Contract | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-10,000,000	0	-11,000,000	0
Call options | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,685,000,000		8,685,000,000			7,603,000,000
Collateral posted	178,000,000		178,000,000			188,000,000
Call options | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Merrill Lynch
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,206,000,000		2,206,000,000			2,240,000,000
Collateral posted	35,000,000		35,000,000			53,000,000
Call options | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Collateral posted	143,000,000		143,000,000			135,000,000
Call options | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Derivative [Line Items]
Collateral posted	143,000,000		143,000,000			135,000,000
Call options | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	7,000,000	-19,000,000	-31,000,000	-121,000,000
Future
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of instruments held	1,652		1,652			2,348
Collateral held	8,000,000		8,000,000			11,000,000
Future | Net Realized Investment Gains
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	0	-2,000,000	-4,000,000	-15,000,000
Other invested assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Fund purchased									35,000,000
Other invested assets | Other Embedded Derivative
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount									11,000,000
Available-for-sale embedded derivative
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Value	$12,000,000		$12,000,000		$12,000,000	$11,000,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Carrying at Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$18,661	$18,133
Derivative investments	268	296
Total financial assets at fair value	1,424	1,292
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	849	576
Equity securities - available-for-sale	27	59
Derivative investments	0	0
Other invested assets	0	0
Total financial assets at fair value	1,011	751
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	0	0
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities		0
Debt	0	0
Total financial liabilities at fair value	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Equity securities - available-for-sale	561	599
Derivative investments	268	296
Other invested assets	13	2
Total financial assets at fair value	17,655	17,264
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	0	0
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities		22
Debt	315	317
Total financial liabilities at fair value	334	340
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Equity securities - available-for-sale	18	40
Derivative investments	0	0
Other invested assets	219	235
Total financial assets at fair value	1,436	1,303
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	13,709	13,109
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities		0
Debt	0	0
Total financial liabilities at fair value	15,926	15,017
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	849	576
Equity securities - available-for-sale	606	698
Derivative investments	268	296
Other invested assets	232	237
Total financial assets at fair value	20,102	19,318
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	13,709	13,109
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities		22
Debt	315	317
Total financial liabilities at fair value	16,260	15,357
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	849	576
Equity securities - available-for-sale	606	698
Derivative investments	268	296
Other invested assets	232	237
Total financial assets at fair value	20,102	19,318
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	15,304	14,556
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities		22
Debt	300	300
Total financial liabilities at fair value	17,840	16,787
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative investments	0	0
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative investments	92	76
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative investments	0	0
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative investments	92	76
Embedded derivatives in Reinsurance contracts | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative investments	92	76
Fixed Index Annuity | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	0	0
Fixed Index Annuity | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	0	0
Fixed Index Annuity | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	2,217	1,908
Fixed Index Annuity | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	2,217	1,908
Fixed Index Annuity | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	2,217	1,908
Future Contracts | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	0	0
Future Contracts | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	1	1
Future Contracts | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	0	0
Future Contracts | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	1	1
Future Contracts | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	1	1
Call options | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	0
Call options | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	18
Call options | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	0
Call options | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	18
Call options | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities	18
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,192	2,032
Asset-backed securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Asset-backed securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,100	1,958
Asset-backed securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	92	74
Asset-backed securities | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,192	2,032
Asset-backed securities | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,192	2,032
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	729	637
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	587	554
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	142	83
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	729	637
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	729	637
Corporates
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	9,827	9,779
Corporates | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Corporates | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	8,902	8,945
Corporates | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	925	834
Corporates | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	9,827	9,779
Corporates | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	9,827	9,779
Hybrids
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,357	1,316
Hybrids | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Hybrids | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,357	1,316
Hybrids | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Hybrids | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,357	1,316
Hybrids | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,357	1,316
Municipals
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,436	1,260
Municipals | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipals | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,396	1,223
Municipals | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	40	37
Municipals | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,436	1,260
Municipals | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,436	1,260
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,194	2,114
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,194	2,114
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,194	2,114
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,194	2,114
U.S. Government
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	320	297
U.S. Government | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	135	116
U.S. Government | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	185	181
U.S. Government | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
U.S. Government | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	320	297
U.S. Government | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$320	$297

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Unobservable Inputs Used for Level Three Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	$1,424	$1,292
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,217	1,908
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	31	74
Valuation Technique	Broker-quoted	Broker-quoted
Broker Quoted	100.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted		95.45%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted		109.26%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted		99.26%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	97	83
Valuation Technique	Broker-quoted	Broker-quoted
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted	100.00%	105.25%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted	114.09%	118.29%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted	120.75%	121.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	527	832
Valuation Technique	Broker-quoted	Broker-quoted
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted	67.44%	61.67%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted	102.44%	100.04%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Broker Quoted	122.61%	119.75%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Municipals
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	40	37
Valuation Technique	Broker-quoted	Broker-quoted
Broker Quoted	114.50%	106.64%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Equities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	6	6
Valuation Technique	Matrix Pricing	Broker-quoted
Broker Quoted		99.75%
Matrix Pricing	100.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Other invested assets
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	15	213
Valuation Technique	Liquidation Value - 30% recovery estimate	Market Pricing
Sales Agreement	100.00%
Cash Pricing	100.00%
Inventory Pricing	50.00%
Intellectual Property Pricing	100.00%
Wind Down Expense Pricing	100.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Other invested assets | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable Pricing	30.00%
Real Estate Pricing	60.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique | Other invested assets | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable Pricing	50.00%
Real Estate Pricing	65.00%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Fixed Index Annuity
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,217	1,908
Valuation Technique	Discounted Cash Flow	Discounted Cash Flow
Mortality Multiplier	80.00%	80.00%
Non Performance Spread	0.25%	0.25%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Minimum | Fixed Index Annuity
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Market Value Of Option	0.00%	0.00%
Swap Rates	1.53%	1.93%
Surrender Rates	0.50%	0.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Maximum | Fixed Index Annuity
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Market Value Of Option	2.80%	3.37%
Swap Rates	1.78%	2.29%
Surrender Rates	7.00%	7.00%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Weighted Average | Fixed Index Annuity
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Market Value Of Option	42.05%	49.82%
Swap Rates	2.03%	2.64%
Surrender Rates	75.00%	75.00%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	3
Valuation Technique	Matrix Pricing
Matrix Pricing	109.40%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	45
Valuation Technique	Matrix Pricing
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Matrix Pricing	105.75%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Matrix Pricing	115.47%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Matrix Pricing	122.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	398	2
Valuation Technique	Matrix Pricing	Matrix Pricing
Matrix Pricing		142.30%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Matrix Pricing	75.00%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Matrix Pricing	103.49%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Corporates | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Matrix Pricing	149.80%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Equities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	12	34
Valuation Technique		Market-approach
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Other invested assets
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	12	11
Valuation Technique	Black Scholes model	Black scholes model
Black Scholes Model	100.00%	100.00%
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	40
Valuation Technique	Third-Party Valuation
Broker Quoted	59.21%
Discount Rate	16.50%
Probability of Default	2.00%
Recovery Rate	30.00%
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Market Approach Valuation Technique | Other invested assets
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	180
Valuation Technique	Market Pricing
Broker Quoted	100.00%	100.00%
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Income Approach Valuation Technique | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Total financial assets at fair value	$18
Valuation Technique	Matrix Pricing
Matrix Pricing	99.90%
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Income Approach Valuation Technique | Equities
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Valuation Technique	Market-approach
Discount Rate	27.00%
Recovery Rate	30.00%
Collateralized Loan Obligation Equity Percentage	59.21%
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Income Approach Valuation Technique | Equities | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Yield	9.24%	8.31%
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Income Approach Valuation Technique | Equities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Yield	10.74%	9.81%

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes to Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$1,418	$1,098	$1,292	$870
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	-80	0	-80	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	16	11	26	4
Purchases	168	102	324	373
Sales	-15	0	-15	0
Settlements	-55	-35	-89	-71
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	-28	-209	-34	-209
Balance at End of Period	1,424	967	1,424	967
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	2,140	1,645	1,908	1,544
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	77	74	309	175
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	0	0	0	0
Purchases	0	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0	0	0	0
Balance at End of Period	2,217	1,719	2,217	1,719
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	2,140	1,645	1,908	1,544
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	77	74	309	175
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	0	0	0	0
Purchases	0	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0	0	0	0
Balance at End of Period	2,217	1,719	2,217	1,719
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	71	251	74	246
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	-25	0	-25	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	2	-1	2	-1
Purchases	63	0	66	5
Sales	-15	0	-15	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	-4	-203	-10	-203
Balance at End of Period	92	47	92	47
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	120	6	83	6
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0	0	0	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	1	0	2	0
Purchases	21	0	57	0
Sales	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0	-6	0	-6
Balance at End of Period	142	0	142	0
Corporates
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	901	607	834	461
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	2	0	2	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	15	10	24	4
Purchases	62	42	123	194
Sales	0	0	0	0
Settlements	-31	-2	-34	-2
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	-24	0	-24	0
Balance at End of Period	925	657	925	657
Municipals
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	39	34	37	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0	0	0	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	1	2	3	1
Purchases	0	0	0	35
Sales	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0	0	0	0
Balance at End of Period	40	36	40	36
Equities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	38		40
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	-21		-21
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	1		-1
Purchases	0		0
Sales	0		0
Settlements	0		0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0		0
Balance at End of Period	18		18
Other invested assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period		0		0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings		0		0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI		0		0
Purchases		33		33
Sales		0		0
Settlements		0		0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)		0		0
Balance at End of Period		33		33
Available-for-sale embedded derivative
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	12		11
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0		1
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	0		0
Purchases	0		0
Sales	0		0
Settlements	0		0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0		0
Balance at End of Period	12		12
Salus participations (b)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	237	200	213	157
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	-36	0	-37	0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	-4	0	-4	0
Purchases	22	27	78	106
Sales	0	0	0	0
Settlements	-24	-33	-55	-69
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0	0	0	0
Balance at End of Period	$195	$194	$195	$194

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	payment		payment
	credit_quality_event		credit_quality_event
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Number of Loans Past Due	0		0
Number of Indicators Related to Credit Quality	0		0
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	$0	$0	$0	$0
Fair Value, Asset, Issuances	0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	28,000,000	209,000,000	34,000,000	209,000,000
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	4,000,000	203,000,000	10,000,000	203,000,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans receivable, fair value	$304,000,000		$304,000,000

Intangible_Assets_Summary_of_C

Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Intangible Assets Including DAC, VOBA , and DSI (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill			$515	$523
Deferrals			174	116
Amortization of intangibles	7	-11	-9	-34
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill			-70	-105
Ending Balance, Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	610	500	610	500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	370	323	370	323
Unlocking
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			8	-13
Interest
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			-17	-14
Other amortization
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			-18	-61
VOBA
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets			59	192
Deferrals			0	0
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill			-17	-63
Ending Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	26	109	26	109
VOBA | Unlocking
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			0	-12
VOBA | Interest
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			-6	-7
VOBA | Other amortization
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			-22	-39
DAC
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets			456	331
Deferrals			174	116
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill			-53	-42
Ending Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	584	391	584	391
DAC | Unlocking
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			8	-1
DAC | Interest
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			-11	-7
DAC | Other amortization
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Amortization of intangibles			$4	($22)

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
VOBA
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment gains	-182
Cumulative adjustments for net unrealized loss			-164
DAC
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment gains	-108
Cumulative adjustments for net unrealized loss			-56
Deferred sales inducements, net of shadow adjustments	37		$33
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Interest rate to calculate accretion on intangible asset	4.00%
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Interest rate to calculate accretion on intangible asset	5.00%
Weighted Average | VOBA
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period		4 years 10 months 24 days

Intangible_Assets_Estimated_Am

Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense for VOBA in Future Fiscal Periods (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Amortization Expense And Weighted Average Lives Of Identified Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Thereafter	$82
VOBA
Schedule Of Amortization Expense And Weighted Average Lives Of Identified Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2015	19
2016	35
2017	29
2018	23
2019	$19

Debt_Schedule_of_Long_Term_Deb

Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt	$300		$300		$300
Interest Expense	5	5	9	9
Amortization	1	1	2	2
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit	0		0		0
Interest Expense	0	0	0	0
Amortization	$0	$0	$1	$0

Debt_Narrative_Detail

Debt - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 26, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Expiration for credit facility	3 years
Borrowing capacity for credit facility	$150,000,000
Interest rate at end of period		5.25%	5.25%
Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		0.50%
Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.00%

Equity_Narrative_Details

Equity - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 09, 2015	Feb. 10, 2015	Dec. 15, 2014	Nov. 18, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 02, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares					463,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value					$10
Shareholders' disclosure, common stock (in shares)					47,000,000
Cash dividend per common share		$0.07		$0.07
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	4		4
Common stock, shares outstanding	57,975,000		58,279,000		58,739,810		58,442,721
Treasury Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value					$10
September 2014 Repurchase Plan
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased								500,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares					451,000
Stock Compensation Plan
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares					12,000
HRG
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shareholders' disclosure, ownership percentage					81.00%
Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividend per common share						$0.07

Stock_Compensation_Schedule_of

Stock Compensation - Schedule of Stock Based Compensation Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$6,000,000	$8,000,000	$12,000,000	$15,000,000
Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	2,000,000	3,000,000	4,000,000	5,000,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	4,000,000	5,000,000	8,000,000	10,000,000
FGL Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	6,000,000	1,000,000	8,000,000	2,000,000
FGL Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,000,000	0	1,000,000	0
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	4,000,000	0	5,000,000	0
FGL Plan | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,000,000	1,000,000	2,000,000	1,000,000
FGL Plan | Unrestricted Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	0	0	1,000,000
2011 Stock Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	3,000,000	1,000,000	6,000,000
2011 Dividend Equivalent Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	0	0	1,000,000
2011 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	3,000,000	2,000,000	5,000,000
2011 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
2012 Dividend Equivalent Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	0	0	0	0
FGLH Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$0	$7,000,000	$4,000,000	$13,000,000

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_

Stock Compensation - Summary of Unrecognized Stock Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	$14
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	2 years
FGL Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	12
FGL Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	1
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	2 years
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	4
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	2 years
FGL Plan | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	7
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	2 years
FGL Plan | Unrestricted Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	0
2011 Stock Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	0
2011 Dividend Equivalent Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	0
2011 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	1
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	1 year
2011 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	1
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	1 year
2012 Dividend Equivalent Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	0
Weighted Average Recognition Period in Years	1 year
FGLH Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	$2

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_1

Stock Compensation - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Related Activity (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
FGL
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):
Share Price	$103.20
FGL Plan | Stock Option Awards
Options (in shares):
Stock options outstanding at beginning of period	242
Granted	182
Exercised	-3
Forfeited or expired	-12
Stock options outstanding at end of period	409
Vested and exercisable at end of period	221
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	397
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):
Stock options outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$17
Granted (USD per share)	$24.87
Exercised (USD per share)	$17
Forfeited or expired (USD per share)	$20.08
Stock options outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	$20.35
Vested and exercisable at end of period (USD per share)	$19.52
Vested or expected to vest at end of period (USD per share)	$20.30
FGLH Plan
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):
Share Price	$21.20	$21.35
FGLH Plan | Stock Option Awards
Options (in shares):
Stock options outstanding at beginning of period	225
Granted	0
Exercised	-47
Forfeited or expired	-1
Stock options outstanding at end of period	177
Vested and exercisable at end of period	149
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	175
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):
Stock options outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$46.19
Granted (USD per share)	$0
Exercised (USD per share)	$43.36
Forfeited or expired (USD per share)	$49.45
Stock options outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	$46.94
Vested and exercisable at end of period (USD per share)	$46.45
Vested or expected to vest at end of period (USD per share)	$46.91

Stock_Compensation_Assumptions

Stock Compensation - Assumptions Used in Determination of Grant Date Fair Values Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail) (FGL Plan, USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value per option granted	$5.02
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%
Assumed dividend yield	1.20%
Expected option term	4 years 6 months
Volatility	25.00%
CEO
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value per option granted	$2.53
Risk-free interest rate	0.20%
Assumed dividend yield	1.18%
Expected option term	9 months
Volatility	25.00%

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_2

Stock Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Outstanding and Related Activity (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
FGL Plan | Performance Shares
Shares:
Restricted shares outstanding at beginning of period	578
Granted	40
Vested	-45
Forfeited	-72
Restricted shares outstanding at end of period	501
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):
Average grant date fair value outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$17.37
Average grant date fair value, Granted (USD per share)	$20.36
Average grant date fair value, Vested (USD per share)	$17
Average grant date fair value, Forfeited or Expired (USD per share)	$17
Average grant date fair value outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	$17.69
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units
Shares:
Restricted shares outstanding at beginning of period	172
Granted	298
Vested	-228
Forfeited	-13
Restricted shares outstanding at end of period	229
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):
Average grant date fair value outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$18.18
Average grant date fair value, Granted (USD per share)	$23.81
Average grant date fair value, Vested (USD per share)	$21.64
Average grant date fair value, Forfeited or Expired (USD per share)	$20.62
Average grant date fair value outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	$21.96
FGLH Plan | Restricted stock units
Shares:
Restricted shares outstanding at beginning of period	26
Granted	0
Vested	-14
Forfeited	0
Restricted shares outstanding at end of period	12
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):
Average grant date fair value outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$49.55
Average grant date fair value, Granted (USD per share)	$0
Average grant date fair value, Vested (USD per share)	$49.45
Average grant date fair value, Forfeited or Expired (USD per share)	$49.45
Average grant date fair value outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	$49.68

Stock_Compensation_Narrative_D

Stock Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 18, 2015	Feb. 11, 2015	Dec. 01, 2014	Oct. 06, 2014	Nov. 19, 2014	Nov. 19, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
					individual_grantee
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$2,000,000	$3,000,000	$4,000,000	$5,000,000
FGL Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized										2,838,000
Awards available to grant	1,395,000		1,395,000
FGL Plan | CEO
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accelerated compensation cost			2,000,000
FGL Plan | Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accelerated compensation cost					3,000,000
Termination of individuals					2
FGL Plan | Stock Option Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted			182,000
Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	1,000,000		1,000,000
Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	1,000,000		1,000,000
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	1,000,000		1,000,000
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			6 years
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			6 years
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			6 years
Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	0			0
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	0			0
Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	0			0
FGL Plan | Stock Option Awards | Directors, Officers, and Other Key Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted						7,000	176,000
Award Vesting Period						3 years	3 years
Fair value at grant date (options)						0	1,000,000
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Period								1 year
Restricted stock unit grants			298,000
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | First anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rates, percent									20.00%
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | Second anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rates, percent									50.00%
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | Third anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rates, percent									30.00%
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | Directors, Officers, and Other Key Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Period						3 years
Restricted stock unit grants						48,000	138,000
Fair value at grant date (other than options)						1,000,000	3,000,000
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | Directors, Officers, and Other Key Employees | First anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants						40,000
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants								12,000
Fair value at grant date (other than options)								0
FGL Plan | Restricted stock units | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants									100,000
Fair value at grant date (other than options)									2,000,000
FGL Plan | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants			40,000
FGL Plan | Performance Shares | Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants								32,000
Fair value at grant date (other than options)								1,000,000
FGL Plan | Performance Shares | Officer | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rates, percent								0.00%
FGL Plan | Performance Shares | Officer | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rates, percent								200.00%
FGL Plan | Unrestricted Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value at grant date (other than options)						0		0
FGL Plan | Unrestricted Shares | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants						1,000		8,000
FGLH Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Price	$21.20		$21.20								$21.35
FGLH Plan | Stock Option Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted			0
Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	10,000,000		10,000,000
Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	8,000,000		8,000,000
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	10,000,000		10,000,000
Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			3 years
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			2 years
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			3 years
Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value			$3,000,000	$2,000,000
FGLH Plan | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit grants			0
FGL
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Price	$103.20		$103.20

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Detail

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax rate	0.00%	292.00%	82.00%	-31.00%
Unrealized build in gains on AFS		$100		$100
Unrealized build in gains on AFS, amount realized in period			-73
Income tax (benefit) on unrealized build in gains on AFS			-26
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	-124		-124
Deferred gross tax assets	228		228
Tax Year 2015 | Capital Loss Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Carryforward tax credits	245		245
Forecast | Tax Year 2015 | Capital Loss Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Carryforward tax credits to be used					$27

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued amount of guaranty fund assessments		$4
Estimated future premium tax deductions		4
Social Security Inquiry
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Administrative costs and potential liabilities		2
Payments audit and legal costs		2
Cressy v. FGL et. al
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement	5
Estimated litigation liability		3
Legal fees		4
Settlement payments		2
Cressy v. FGL et. al | Pending Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible liability		9
Settlement receivable		4
Dale R. Ludwick v. HRG, FGL, Raven Reinsurance Company, and Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability		$1

Reinsurance_Effect_of_Reinsura

Reinsurance - Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Earned, Benefits Incurred and Reserve Changes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Insurance Premiums:
Direct	$64	$67	$127	$134
Assumed	8	10	17	19
Ceded	-57	-62	-118	-125
Net	15	15	26	28
Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves:
Direct	239	256	533	553
Assumed	9	6	16	12
Ceded	-76	-83	-153	-169
Net	$172	$179	$396	$396

Reinsurance_Narrative_Details

Reinsurance - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Write-off of reinsurance	$0	$0	$0	$0
Ceded Reinsurance Commuted	57,000,000	62,000,000	118,000,000	125,000,000
Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded Reinsurance Commuted	$0	$0	$0	$0

Related_Party_Transactions_Sum

Related Party Transactions - Summary of Affiliated Entity Operations (Details) (Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd., USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Premiums	$0	$0	$0	$1
Net investment income	17	17	33	32
Net investment (losses) gains	-21	4	-15	11
Insurance and investment product fees	1	1	2	2
Total revenues	-3	22	20	46
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	-13	-14	-28	-32
Acquisition & operating expenses, net of deferrals	-1	-1	-2	-4
Total benefits and expenses	-14	-15	-30	-36
Operating (loss) income	($17)	$7	($10)	$10

Related_Party_Transactions_Rel

Related Party Transactions - Related Party Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Salus participations (b)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of borrowers in loan participations			21
Average loan balance			$9
HGI Energy Loan | Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	20		20		20
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Salus collateralized loan obligations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	260		260		239
Accrued Investment Income	1		1		1
Total carrying value	261		261		240
Related Party Transaction, Net Investment Income	3	3	6	6
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | Fortress Investment Group collateralized loan obligations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	203		203		195
Accrued Investment Income	2		2		2
Total carrying value	205		205		197
Related Party Transaction, Net Investment Income	2	0	4	0
Equities | Salus Preferred Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	12		12		34
Accrued Investment Income	0		0		0
Total carrying value	12		12		34
Other invested assets
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	13		13		2
Accrued Investment Income	0		0		0
Total carrying value	13		13		2
Other invested assets | Salus participations (b)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	186		186		213
Accrued Investment Income	1		1		2
Total carrying value	187		187		215
Related Party Transaction, Net Investment Income	3	6	8	10
Other invested assets | Energy & Infrastructure Capital (EIC) participations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	9		9
Accrued Investment Income	0		0
Total carrying value	9		9
Related party loans | HGI Energy Loan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	70		70		70
Accrued Investment Income	2		2		2
Total carrying value	72		72		72
Related Party Transaction, Net Investment Income	1	1	2	2
Related party loans | Salus 2012 participations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	1		1		11
Accrued Investment Income	0		0		0
Total carrying value	1		1		11
Related party loans | Salus promissory note
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value	2		2		20
Accrued Investment Income	0		0		0
Total carrying value	2		2		20
Related Party Transaction, Net Investment Income	0	1	1	1
Related party loans | Salus revolver
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset carrying value					10
Accrued Investment Income					0
Total carrying value					$10

Related_Party_Transactions_Nar

Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 27, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	$3,691,000,000		$3,691,000,000			$3,665,000,000
Liability for policy and contract claims	1,329,000,000		1,329,000,000			1,331,000,000
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	-3,000,000	-29,000,000	16,000,000	-33,000,000
Other-than-temporary impairments	-61,000,000	0	-61,000,000	0
Net Realized Investment Gains
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	1,000,000	-8,000,000	63,000,000	103,000,000
Other Embedded Derivative | Net Realized Investment Gains
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative	11,000,000	0	12,000,000	0
Other Embedded Derivative | Net Realized Investment Gains | Other invested assets
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loss on derivative	1,000,000		3,000,000
Gain on derivative	-10,000,000		-11,000,000
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative		0		0
Salus Preferred Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Dividend rate on preferred stock					10.00%
Asset par value					30,000,000
Salus collateralized loan obligations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairments			-24,000,000
Salus Participations
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairments			-35,000,000
Front Street RE (Cayman) Ltd.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	1,289,000,000		1,289,000,000			1,267,000,000
Liability for policy and contract claims	1,291,000,000		1,291,000,000			1,293,000,000
Other-than-temporary impairments			-81,000,000
Salus Capital Partners LLC | Salus Loan Participation, CLO Subordinated Debt
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Salus loan participations							14,000,000
Salus CLO							16,000,000
Salus promissory note							20,000,000
Salus line of credit							10,000,000
Salus Capital Partners LLC | FGL Loan Participation, CLO Subordinated Debt and Salus Promissory Note
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Salus loan participations							29,000,000
Salus CLO							27,000,000
Salus promissory note							$2,000,000
Salus CLO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership of Salus CLO	46.00%		46.00%

Earnings_Per_Share_Summary_of_

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	($12)	$25	$2	$68
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	58,033,064	58,270,822	58,159,572	53,656,357
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock & PRSU	0	149,000	145,000	86,000
Dilutive effect of stock options	0	27,000	27,000	15,000
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	58,033,064	58,447,122	58,331,854	53,756,814
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.21)	$0.43	$0.03	$1.26
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.21)	$0.42	$0.03	$1.26

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share -Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from EPS	169
Diluted shares if net income had been reported		58,202
Stock Option Awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from EPS	42	27

Insurance_Subsidiary_Financial1

Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information and Regulatory Matters - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Insurance [Abstract]
Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	$239	$251
Permitted Practice, Change in Statutory Capital and Surplus	12	19
Non-Permitted Practice, Change in Statutory Capital and Surplus	($63)	($81)