CNA Financial (CNA) 10-Q 4 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 01, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CNA FINANCIAL CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000021175	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	269,946,268

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	$1,811	$1,800	$3,617	$3,564
Net investment income	550	534	1,076	1,125
Net realized investment gains (losses):	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-5	-16	-7	-34
Portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in Other comprehensive income (losses)	'	'	'	'
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	-5	-16	-7	-34
Other net realized investment gains (losses)	-9	2	39	43
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-14	-14	32	9
Other revenues	93	130	178	207
Total revenues	2,440	2,450	4,903	4,905
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits, including policyholders' dividends	1,441	1,485	2,887	2,881
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	335	335	664	663
Other operating expenses	254	319	600	659
Interest	46	41	90	83
Total claims, benefits and expenses	2,076	2,180	4,241	4,286
Income from continuing operations before income tax	364	270	662	619
Income tax (expense) benefit	-103	-80	-181	-188
Income (loss) from continuing operations	261	190	481	431
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(1), $(2), $37, and $(7)	6	4	-201	13
Net income (loss)	$267	$194	$280	$444
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$0.97	$0.71	$1.78	$1.60
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	$0.02	$0.01	($0.74)	$0.05
Basic earnings per share	$0.99	$0.72	$1.04	$1.65
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$0.97	$0.71	$1.78	$1.60
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	$0.01	$0.01	($0.75)	$0.04
Diluted earnings per share	$0.98	$0.72	$1.03	$1.64
Dividends per share	$0.25	$0.20	$1.50	$0.40
Weighted Average Outstanding Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents	'	'	'	'
Basic	269.9	269.7	269.9	269.6
Diluted	270.6	270.1	270.5	270

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income tax (expense) benefit on discontinued operations	($1)	($2)	$37	($7)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Changes In:	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with other-than-temporary impairments	$2	($8)	$14	$6
Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments	270	-585	507	-647
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	272	-593	521	-641
Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations	7	'	15	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	42	-13	34	-74
Pension and postretirement benefits	-51	5	-50	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	270	-601	520	-705
Net income (loss)	267	194	280	444
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$537	($407)	$800	($261)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost of $37,212 and $39,311)	$40,468	$41,233
Equity securities at fair value (cost of $175 and $179)	194	185
Limited partnership investments	2,831	2,720
Other invested assets	45	54
Mortgage loans	518	508
Short term investments	2,024	1,407
Total investments	46,080	46,107
Cash	204	195
Reinsurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $65 and $71)	5,050	6,017
Insurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $73 and $84)	2,142	1,979
Accrued investment income	411	443
Deferred acquisition costs	650	624
Deferred income taxes	'	220
Property and equipment at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $365 and $365)	289	304
Goodwill	156	155
Assets held for sale	3,593	'
Other assets	862	969
Separate account business	'	181
Total assets	59,437	57,194
Liabilities	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	23,996	24,089
Unearned premiums	3,851	3,718
Future policy benefits	8,696	10,471
Policyholders’ funds	27	116
Short term debt	549	549
Long term debt	2,558	2,011
Deferred income taxes	94	'
Liabilities held for sale	3,343	'
Other liabilities (includes $68 and $178 due to Loews Corporation)	3,249	3,408
Separate account business	'	181
Total liabilities	46,363	44,543
Commitments and contingencies (Notes C, G and J)	'	'
Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 269,946,268 and 269,717,583 shares outstanding)	683	683
Additional paid-in capital	2,146	2,145
Retained earnings	9,369	9,495
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	962	442
Treasury stock (3,093,975 and 3,322,660 shares), at cost	-85	-91
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	-1	-23
Total stockholders’ equity	13,074	12,651
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$59,437	$57,194

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities securities at amortized cost	$37,212	$39,311
Equity securities at cost	175	179
Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables	65	71
Allowance for uncollectible insurance receivables	73	84
Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment	365	365
Other liabilities payable to Loews Corporation	$68	$178
Common stock, par value	$2.50	$2.50
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	273,040,243	273,040,243
Common stock, shares outstanding	269,946,268	269,717,583
Treasury stock, shares	3,093,975	3,322,660

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	'	'
Net income (loss)	$280	$444
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:	'	'
Impairment loss on pending sale of subsidiary	255	'
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	48	122
Trading portfolio activity	17	-7
Net realized investment (gains) losses	-34	-14
Equity method investees	75	-151
Amortization of investments	'	-14
Depreciation and amortization	42	58
Changes in:	'	'
Receivables, net	6	-83
Accrued investment income	-3	-12
Deferred acquisition costs	-10	-43
Insurance reserves	234	198
Other assets	-50	-69
Other liabilities	-201	134
Other, net	-72	6
Total adjustments	307	125
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities	587	569
Dispositions:	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - sales	2,919	3,143
Fixed maturity securities - maturities, calls and redemptions	1,954	1,820
Equity securities	14	60
Limited partnerships	118	77
Mortgage loans	33	18
Purchases:	'	'
Fixed maturity securities	-4,921	-5,656
Equity securities	-11	-33
Limited partnerships	-109	-103
Mortgage loans	-43	-54
Change in other investments	10	'
Change in short term investments	-678	293
Purchases of property and equipment	-27	-42
Other, net	7	6
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities	-734	-471
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Dividends paid to common stockholders	-406	-108
Proceeds from issuance of debt	546	'
Stock options exercised	4	1
Other, net	19	-20
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities	163	-127
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	2	-6
Transfer of cash to assets held for sale	-9	'
Net change in cash	9	-35
Cash, beginning of year	195	156
Cash, end of period	$204	$121

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]	Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock [Member]
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	'	$683	$2,146	$8,774	$831	($99)	($21)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	444	'	'	444	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-705	'	'	'	-705	'	'
Dividends paid to common stockholders	'	'	'	-108	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	-6	'	'	8	'
(Increase) Decrease in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	11,944	683	2,140	9,110	126	-91	-24
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	12,651	683	2,145	9,495	442	-91	-23
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable for common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	22
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	280	'	'	280	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	520	'	'	'	520	'	'
Dividends paid to common stockholders	'	'	'	-406	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	'	'	1	'	'	6	'
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$13,074	$683	$2,146	$9,369	$962	($85)	($1)

General

General	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
General	'
	Note A. General
	Basis of Presentation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) include the accounts of CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF) and its subsidiaries. Collectively, CNAF and its subsidiaries are referred to as CNA or the Company. Loews Corporation (Loews) owned approximately 90% of the outstanding common stock of CNAF as of June 30, 2014.
	The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement notes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in CNAF's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2013, including the summary of significant accounting policies in Note A. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
	The interim financial data as of June 30, 2014 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the Company's results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Intercompany amounts have been eliminated.
	Sale of Continental Assurance Company (CAC)
	On February 10, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its run-off annuity and pension deposit business through the sale of the common stock of CAC. The sale closed on August 1, 2014. The business sold, which was previously reported within the Life & Group Non-Core segment, is reported as discontinued operations and assets and liabilities held for sale. The Company has elected not to present these assets and liabilities as held for sale on the comparative Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Further information on the assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations is provided in Note M to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The definitive agreement includes a 100% coinsurance agreement on a separate small block of annuity business outside of CAC. The assets and liabilities related to the coinsurance agreement do not qualify as held for sale presentation, therefore they are not reflected as held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Note B. Earnings Per Share
	Earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares. Basic earnings (loss) per share excludes the impact of dilutive securities and is computed by dividing Net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 , approximately 622 thousand and 644 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For those same periods, approximately 180 thousand and 110 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, approximately 407 thousand and 446 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For those same periods, approximately 114 thousand and 478 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Note C. Investments
	The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table.
	Net Investment Income
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fixed maturity securities	$	451		$	454		$	903		$	911
	Short term investments	—			1			1			2
	Limited partnership investments	97			79			170			210
	Equity securities	3			3			5			6
	Mortgage loans	9			6			15			11
	Trading portfolio	3			5			6			10
	Other	1			—			3			1
	Gross investment income	564			548			1,103			1,151
	Investment expense	(14		)	(14		)	(27		)	(26		)
	Net investment income	$	550		$	534		$	1,076		$	1,125
	Net realized investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table.
	Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net realized investment gains (losses):
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Gross realized gains	$	20		$	33		$	73		$	72
	Gross realized losses	(39		)	(40		)	(54		)	(52		)
	Net realized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities	(19		)	(7		)	19			20
	Equity securities:
	Gross realized gains	—			5			5			7
	Gross realized losses	—			(7		)	—			(22		)
	Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities	—			(2		)	5			(15		)
	Derivatives	1			(5		)	1			(3		)
	Short term investments and other	4			—			7			7
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	(14	)	$	(14	)	$	32		$	9
	The components of net other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized in earnings by asset type are summarized in the following table.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	2		$	5		$	3		$	8
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	1			3			2			3
	Other asset-backed	1			1			1			1
	Total asset-backed	2			4			3			4
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	4			9			6			12
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stock	1			2			1			2
	Preferred stock	—			5			—			20
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	1			7			1			22
	Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	$	5		$	16		$	7		$	34
	The following tables provide a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities.
	Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
	June 30, 2014	Cost or			Gross			Gross			Estimated			Unrealized
		Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			OTTI
	(In millions)	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value			Losses (Gains)
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	17,276		$	1,852		$	30		$	19,098		$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	11,215			1,178			70			12,323			—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	4,882			202			14			5,070			(51		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	1,999			107			7			2,099			(3		)
	Other asset-backed	1,172			16			3			1,185			—
	Total asset-backed	8,053			325			24			8,354			(54		)
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	61			6			1			66			—
	Foreign government	533			18			1			550			—
	Redeemable preferred stock	39			3			—			42			—
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	37,177			3,382			126			40,433			$	(54	)
Total fixed maturity securities trading	35			—			—			35
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stock	46			14			—			60
Preferred stock	129			5			—			134
Total equity securities available-for-sale	175			19			—			194
Total	$	37,387		$	3,401		$	126		$	40,662
December 31, 2013	Cost or			Gross			Gross			Estimated			Unrealized
	Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			OTTI
(In millions)	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value			Losses (Gains)
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Corporate and other bonds	$	19,352		$	1,645		$	135		$	20,862		$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	11,281			548			272			11,557			—
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	4,940			123			92			4,971			(37		)
Commercial mortgage-backed	1,995			90			22			2,063			(3		)
Other asset-backed	945			13			3			955			—
Total asset-backed	7,880			226			117			7,989			(40		)
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	139			6			1			144			—
Foreign government	531			15			3			543			—
Redeemable preferred stock	92			10			—			102			—
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	39,275			2,450			528			41,197			$	(40	)
Total fixed maturity securities trading	36			—			—			36
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stock	36			9			—			45
Preferred stock	143			1			4			140
Total equity securities available-for-sale	179			10			4			185
Total	$	39,490		$	2,460		$	532		$	41,418
The net unrealized gains on investments included in the tables above are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). When presented in AOCI, these amounts are net of tax and any required Shadow Adjustments. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI were net of after-tax Shadow Adjustments of $937 million and $532 million. To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting certain products within the Life & Group Non-Core segment would result in a premium deficiency if realized, a related decrease in Deferred acquisition costs and/or increase in Insurance reserves are recorded, net of tax, as a reduction of net unrealized gains through Other comprehensive income (loss) (Shadow Adjustments).
The following tables summarize the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities in a gross unrealized loss position by the length of time in which the securities have continuously been in that position.
Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position
	Less than 12 Months						12 Months or Longer						Total
June 30, 2014	Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross
	Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized
(In millions)				Losses						Losses						Losses
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Corporate and other bonds	$	813		$	12		$	548		$	18		$	1,361		$	30
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	316			2			587			68			903			70
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	125			1			332			13			457			14
Commercial mortgage-backed	205			2			171			5			376			7
Other asset-backed	269			3			12			—			281			3
Total asset-backed	599			6			515			18			1,114			24
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	2			1			4			—			6			1
Foreign government	39			1			9			—			48			1
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,769			22			1,663			104			3,432			126
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Preferred stock	10			—			2			—			12			—
Total	$	1,779		$	22		$	1,665		$	104		$	3,444		$	126
	Less than 12 Months						12 Months or Longer						Total
December 31, 2013	Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross
	Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized
(In millions)				Losses						Losses						Losses
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Corporate and other bonds	$	3,592		$	129		$	72		$	6		$	3,664		$	135
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	3,251			197			129			75			3,380			272
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	1,293			29			343			63			1,636			92
Commercial mortgage-backed	640			22			—			—			640			22
Other asset-backed	269			3			—			—			269			3
Total asset-backed	2,202			54			343			63			2,545			117
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	13			1			—			—			13			1
Foreign government	111			3			—			—			111			3
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	9,169			384			544			144			9,713			528
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Preferred stock	87			4			—			—			87			4
Total	$	9,256		$	388		$	544		$	144		$	9,800		$	532
Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the June 30, 2014 Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position table above, are primarily attributable to broader economic conditions, changes in interest rates and credit spreads, market illiquidity and other market factors, but are not indicative of the ultimate collectibility of the current amortized cost of the securities. The Company has no current intent to sell securities with unrealized losses, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at June 30, 2014.
The following table summarizes the activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held at June 30, 2014 and 2013 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss).
Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$	69		$	92		$	74		$	95
Additional credit losses for securities for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized	—			1			—			1
Reductions for securities sold during the period	(3		)	(4		)	(5		)	(7		)
Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	—			—			(3		)	—
Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$	66		$	89		$	66		$	89
Contractual Maturity
The following table summarizes available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.
Contractual Maturity
	June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
(In millions)	Cost or			Estimated			Cost or			Estimated
	Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair
	Cost			Value			Cost			Value
Due in one year or less	$	2,832		$	2,883		$	2,420		$	2,455
Due after one year through five years	9,251			9,893			9,496			10,068
Due after five years through ten years	11,206			11,792			11,667			11,954
Due after ten years	13,888			15,865			15,692			16,720
Total	$	37,177		$	40,433		$	39,275		$	41,197
Investment Commitments
As of June 30, 2014, the Company had committed approximately $348 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships.
As of June 30, 2014, the Company had mortgage loan commitments of $40 million representing signed loan applications received and accepted.
The Company invests in various privately placed debt securities, including bank loans, as part of its overall investment strategy and has committed to additional future purchases, sales and funding. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had commitments to purchase or fund additional amounts of $244 million and sell $158 million under the terms of such securities.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Note D. Derivative Financial Instruments
	Gross estimated fair values of derivative positions are presented in Other invested assets and Other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There would be no significant difference in the balance included in such accounts if the estimated fair values were presented net at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and may not be representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	June 30, 2014	Contractual/		Estimated Fair Value
		Notional
	(In millions)	Amount		Asset		(Liability)
	Without hedge designation
	Currency forwards	$	6	$	—	$	—
	Equity warrants	5		—		—
	Total	$	11	$	—	$	—
	December 31, 2013	Contractual/		Estimated Fair Value
		Notional
	(In millions)	Amount		Asset		(Liability)
	Without hedge designation
	Equity warrants	$	5	$	—	$	—
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, new derivative transactions entered into totaled $181 million and $248 million in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled $175 million and $242 million. This activity was primarily attributable to forward commitments for mortgage-backed securities as well as interest rate futures. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, new derivative transactions entered into totaled $1,443 million and $2,047 million in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled $1,523 million and $2,065 million. This activity was attributable to forward commitments for mortgage-backed securities, interest rate futures and foreign currency forwards.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value	'
	Note E. Fair Value
	Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable.
	Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
	Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable.
	Prices may fall within Level 1, 2 or 3 depending upon the methodologies and inputs used to estimate fair value for each specific security. In general the Company seeks to price securities using third-party pricing services. Securities not priced by pricing services are submitted to independent brokers for valuation and, if those are not available, internally developed pricing models are used to value assets using methodologies and inputs the Company believes market participants would use to value the assets. Prices obtained from third-party pricing services or brokers are not adjusted by the Company.
	The Company performs control procedures over information obtained from pricing services and brokers to ensure prices received represent a reasonable estimate of fair value and to confirm representations regarding whether inputs are observable or unobservable. Procedures include i) the review of pricing service or broker pricing methodologies, ii) back-testing, where past fair value estimates are compared to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates, iii) exception reporting, where changes in price, period-over-period, are reviewed and challenged with the pricing service or broker based on exception criteria, iv) deep dives, where the Company performs an independent analysis of the inputs and assumptions used to price individual securities and v) pricing validation, where prices received are compared to prices independently estimated by the Company.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis are summarized below.
	June 30, 2014										Total
											Assets/(Liabilities)
	(In millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			at Fair Value
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	34		$	18,891		$	194		$	19,119
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	—			12,258			79			12,337
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			4,885			185			5,070
	Commercial mortgage-backed	—			2,040			59			2,099
	Other asset-backed	—			559			626			1,185
	Total asset-backed	—			7,484			870			8,354
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	62			4			—			66
	Foreign government	60			490			—			550
	Redeemable preferred stock	30			12			—			42
	Total fixed maturity securities	186			39,139			1,143			40,468
	Equity securities	137			55			2			194
	Other invested assets	—			45			—			45
	Short term investments	1,323			606			—			1,929
	Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets	—			—			86			86
	Total recurring basis assets	1,646			39,845			1,231			42,722
	Assets held for sale - nonrecurring basis	—			3,593			—			3,593
	Total assets	$	1,646		$	43,438		$	1,231		$	46,315
	Liabilities
	Liabilities held for sale - nonrecurring basis	$	—		$	3,343		$	—		$	3,343
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	3,343		$	—		$	3,343
	December 31, 2013										Total
											Assets/(Liabilities)
	(In millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			at Fair Value
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	33		$	20,661		$	204		$	20,898
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	—			11,486			71			11,557
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			4,640			331			4,971
	Commercial mortgage-backed	—			1,912			151			2,063
	Other asset-backed	—			509			446			955
	Total asset-backed	—			7,061			928			7,989
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	116			28			—			144
	Foreign government	81			462			—			543
	Redeemable preferred stock	45			57			—			102
	Total fixed maturity securities	275			39,755			1,203			41,233
	Equity securities	126			48			11			185
	Other invested assets	—			54			—			54
	Short term investments	769			563			—			1,332
	Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets	—			—			88			88
	Separate account business	9			171			1			181
	Total assets	$	1,179		$	40,591		$	1,303		$	43,073
	The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at June 30,		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2014 recognized in net income (loss)*
	(In millions)	April 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			2014
		2014
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	189		$	1		$	—		$	21	$	(6	)	$	(5	)	$	5	$	(11	)	$	194	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	86			1			1			1		(10		)	—			—		—			79		—
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	359			(24		)	47			22		(174		)	(19		)	—		(26		)	185		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	126			1			1			—		(60		)	(1		)	12		(20		)	59		—
Other asset-backed	439			—			4			229		(28		)	(18		)	—		—			626		(1		)
Total asset-backed	924			(23		)	52			251		(262		)	(38		)	12		(46		)	870		(1		)
Total fixed maturity securities	1,199			(21		)	53			273		(278		)	(43		)	17		(57		)	1,143		(1		)
Equity securities	2			—			—			—		—			—			—		—			2		—
Life settlement contracts	87			12			—			—		—			(13		)	—		—			86		1
Total	$	1,288		$	(9	)	$	53		$	273	$	(278	)	$	(56	)	$	17	$	(57	)	$	1,231	$	—
Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2013 recognized in net income (loss)*
(In millions)	April 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			June 30,
	2013																						2013
Fixed maturity securities:
Corporate and other bonds	$	302		$	1		$	(3	)	$	13	$	(73	)	$	(6	)	$	—	$	(32	)	$	202	$	(1	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	129			—			4			37		(32		)	(3		)	5		—			140		—
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	450			(1		)	(1		)	50		(10		)	(21		)	4		(43		)	428		(2		)
Commercial mortgage-backed	177			—			4			5		—			(2		)	21		(40		)	165		—
Other asset-backed	396			—			(3		)	38		(33		)	(11		)	—		—			387		(1		)
Total asset-backed	1,023			(1		)	—			93		(43		)	(34		)	25		(83		)	980		(3		)
Redeemable preferred stock	26			—			(1		)	—		—			—			—		—			25		—
Total fixed maturity securities	1,480			—			—			143		(148		)	(43		)	30		(115		)	1,347		(4		)
Equity securities	19			(5		)	(1		)	—		—			—			—		—			13		(5		)
Other invested assets, including derivatives, net	(1		)	—			—			—		—			1			—		—			—		—
Short term investments	5			—			—			—		(5		)	—			—		—			—		—
Life settlement contracts	95			4			—			—		—			(8		)	—		—			91		(1		)
Separate account business	2			—			—			—		—			—			—		—			2		—
Total	$	1,600		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	143	$	(153	)	$	(50	)	$	30	$	(115	)	$	1,453	$	(10	)
The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2014 recognized in net income (loss)*
(In millions)	January 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			June 30,
	2014																						2014
Fixed maturity securities:
Corporate and other bonds	$	204		$	2		$	1		$	26	$	(10	)	$	(10	)	$	8	$	(27	)	$	194	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	71			1			2			1		(10		)	—			14		—			79		—
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	331			(23		)	62			47		(174		)	(40		)	21		(39		)	185		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	151			2			—			—		(60		)	(2		)	12		(44		)	59		—
Other asset-backed	446			1			4			377		(111		)	(90		)	—		(1		)	626		(1		)
Total asset-backed	928			(20		)	66			424		(345		)	(132		)	33		(84		)	870		(1		)
Total fixed maturity securities	1,203			(17		)	69			451		(365		)	(142		)	55		(111		)	1,143		(1		)
Equity securities	11			3			(4		)	—		(8		)	—			—		—			2		—
Life settlement contracts	88			22			—			—		—			(24		)	—		—			86		2
Separate account business	1			—			—			—		—			—			—		(1		)	—		—
Total	$	1,303		$	8		$	65		$	451	$	(373	)	$	(166	)	$	55	$	(112	)	$	1,231	$	1
Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2013 recognized in net income (loss)*
(In millions)	January 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			June 30,
	2013																						2013
Fixed maturity securities:
Corporate and other bonds	$	219		$	1		$	(1	)	$	123	$	(90	)	$	(26	)	$	26	$	(50	)	$	202	$	(2	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	96			(3		)	4			122		(79		)	(5		)	5		—			140		—
Asset-backed:
Residential mortgage-backed	413			2			(1		)	111		(10		)	(32		)	4		(59		)	428		(2		)
Commercial mortgage-backed	129			1			9			78		—			(9		)	21		(64		)	165		—
Other asset-backed	368			3			(2		)	174		(132		)	(24		)	—		—			387		(1		)
Total asset-backed	910			6			6			363		(142		)	(65		)	25		(123		)	980		(3		)
Redeemable preferred stock	26			—			(1		)	—		—			—			—		—			25		—
Total fixed maturity securities	1,251			4			8			608		(311		)	(96		)	56		(173		)	1,347		(5		)
Equity securities	34			(20		)	—			—		—			—			—		(1		)	13		(20		)
Other invested assets, including derivatives, net	—			—			—			—		(1		)	1			—		—			—		—
Short term investments	6			—			—			—		(6		)	—			—		—			—		—
Life settlement contracts	100			11			—			—		—			(20		)	—		—			91		(1		)
Separate account business	2			—			—			—		—			—			—		—			2		—
Total	$	1,393		$	(5	)	$	8		$	608	$	(318	)	$	(115	)	$	56	$	(174	)	$	1,453	$	(26	)
* Net realized and unrealized gains and losses shown above are reported in Net income (loss) as follows:
Major Category of Assets and Liabilities		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Line Items
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale		Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed maturity securities trading		Net investment income
Equity securities		Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other invested assets - Derivative financial instruments held in a trading portfolio		Net investment income
Other invested assets - Derivative financial instruments not held in a trading portfolio		Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other invested assets - Overseas deposits		Net investment income
Life settlement contracts		Other revenues
Securities shown on the previous pages may be transferred in or out of levels within the fair value hierarchy based on the availability of observable market information and quoted prices used to determine the fair value of the security. The availability of observable market information and quoted prices varies based on market conditions and trading volume. During the three months ended June 30, 2014 there were $1 million of transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 and no transfers from Level 1 to Level 2. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 there were $24 million of transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 and $1 million from Level 1 to Level 2. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three or six months ended June 30, 2013. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of quarterly reporting periods.
Valuation Methodologies and Inputs
The following section describes the valuation methodologies and relevant inputs used to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the instruments are generally classified.
Fixed Maturity Securities
Fixed maturity securities are valued using methodologies that model information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets, as well as discounted cash flow methodologies. Common inputs include: prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities, broker/dealer quotes, benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, interest rates, and U.S. Treasury or swap curves. Specifically for asset-backed securities, key inputs include prepayment and default projections based on past performance of the underlying collateral and current market data.
Level 1 securities include exchange traded bonds, highly liquid U.S. and foreign government bonds, and redeemable preferred stock, valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities include most other fixed maturity securities as the significant inputs are observable in the marketplace. Securities are generally assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. Level 3 securities also include private placement debt securities whose fair value is determined using internal models with inputs that are not market observable.
Equity Securities
Level 1 equity securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities are primarily non-redeemable preferred stocks and common stocks valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing market observable inputs. Level 3 securities are priced using internal models with inputs that are not market observable.
Other Invested Assets
Level 1 securities include exchange traded derivatives, primarily futures, valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities include overseas deposits, which can be redeemed at net asset value in 90 days or less, and derivatives, primarily currency forwards valued using observable market forward rates. Over-the-counter derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, total return swaps, credit default swaps, equity warrants and options, are valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.
Short Term Investments
Securities that are actively traded and have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 primarily includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are market observable. Fixed maturity securities purchased within one year of maturity are classified consistent with fixed maturity securities discussed above. Short term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because certain short term investments, such as time deposits, are not measured at fair value.
Life Settlement Contracts
The fair values of life settlement contracts are determined as the present value of the anticipated death benefits less anticipated premium payments based on contract terms that are distinct for each insured, as well as the Company's own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.
Separate Account Business
Separate account business includes fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies and inputs for these asset types have been described above.
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets and liabilities held for sale include assets and liabilities of CAC. These assets and liabilities are valued using the agreed upon transaction price for the sale of the common stock of CAC and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Notes A and M to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale.
Significant Unobservable Inputs
The table below presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by the Company in the fair value measurements of Level 3 assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities not presented in the table below are primarily based on broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to inputs used to develop the valuations. The quantitative detail of these unobservable inputs is neither provided nor reasonably available to the Company.
Assets	Fair Value at June 30, 2014			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)	Range
(In millions)							(Weighted Average)
Fixed maturity securities	$	115		Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	2% - 15% (4%)
Equity securities	$	2		Market approach		Private offering price	$4,334 per share
Life settlement contracts	$	86		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate risk premium	9%
						Mortality assumption	70% - 743% (194%)
Assets	Fair Value at December 31, 2013			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)	Range
(In millions)							(Weighted Average)
Fixed maturity securities	$	142		Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	2% - 20% (4%)
Equity securities	$	10		Market approach		Private offering price	$360 - $4,268 per share ($1,148)
Life settlement contracts	$	88		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate risk premium	9%
						Mortality assumption	70% - 743% (192%)
For fixed maturity securities, an increase in the credit spread assumptions would result in a lower fair value measurement. For equity securities, an increase in the private offering price, earnings projections and earnings multiple would result in a higher fair value measurement. For life settlement contracts, an increase in the discount rate risk premium or decrease in the mortality assumption would result in a lower fair value measurement.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are listed in the tables below.
June 30, 2014	Carrying			Estimated Fair Value
(In millions)	Amount			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Financial assets
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	$	1		$	—		$	—		$	1	$	1
Mortgage loans	518			—			—			540		540
Financial liabilities
Short term debt	$	549		$	—		$	563		$	—	$	563
Long term debt	2,558			—			2,947			—		2,947
December 31, 2013	Carrying			Estimated Fair Value
(In millions)	Amount			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
Financial assets
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	$	23		$	—		$	—		$	23	$	23
Mortgage loans	508			—			—			515		515
Financial liabilities
Premium deposits and annuity contracts	$	57		$	—		$	—		$	58	$	58
Short term debt	549			—			575			—		575
Long term debt	2,011			—			2,328			—		2,328
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities.
The fair values of Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock were estimated using discounted cash flows utilizing interest rates currently offered for obligations securitized with similar collateral, adjusted for specific note receivable risk.
The fair values of Mortgage loans were based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the current interest rate for origination of similar quality loans, adjusted for specific loan risk.
Premium deposits and annuity contracts were valued based on cash surrender values or estimated fair values of policyholder liabilities, net of amounts ceded related to sold business.
The Company's senior notes and debentures were valued based on observable market prices. The fair value for other debt was estimated using discounted cash flows based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements.
The carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for Cash, Short term investments not carried at fair value, Accrued investment income and certain other assets and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these items. These assets and liabilities are not listed in the tables above.

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]	'
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	'
	Note F. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
	The Company's property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including IBNR claims as of the reporting date. The Company's reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, the Company's experience with similar cases and various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to such historical patterns as field reserving trends and claims settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions including inflation, and public attitudes. All of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.
	Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as workers' compensation, general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. There can be no assurance that the Company's ultimate cost for insurance losses will not exceed current estimates.
	Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in the Company's results of operations and/or equity. The Company reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $56 million and $130 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. Catastrophe losses in 2014 related primarily to U.S. weather-related events. The Company reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $65 million and $104 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.
	Net Prior Year Development
	The following tables and discussion include the net prior year development recorded for CNA Specialty, CNA Commercial, Hardy and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments.
	Net Prior Year Development
	Three months ended June 30, 2014
	(In millions)	CNA			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
		Specialty									& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(55	)	$	79		$	—		$	—		$	24
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(1		)	(5		)	4			—			(2		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(56	)	$	74		$	4		$	—		$	22
	Three months ended June 30, 2013
	(In millions)	CNA			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
		Specialty									& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(41	)	$	27		$	12		$	(3	)	$	(5	)
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(5		)	(5		)	2			—			(8		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(46	)	$	22		$	14		$	(3	)	$	(13	)
	Six months ended June 30, 2014
	(In millions)	CNA Specialty			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
											& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(57	)	$	96		$	10		$	—		$	49
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(9		)	(24		)	—			—			(33		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(66	)	$	72		$	10		$	—		$	16
	Six months ended June 30, 2013
	(In millions)	CNA Specialty			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
											& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(56	)	$	16		$	11		$	(2	)	$	(31	)
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(13		)	(15		)	6			1			(21		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(69	)	$	1		$	17		$	(1	)	$	(52	)
	CNA Specialty
	The following table provides further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development (development) recorded for the CNA Specialty segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
	Medical Professional Liability	$	1		$	(17	)	$	2		$	(20	)
	Other Professional Liability and Management Liability	(58		)	(23		)	(64		)	(24		)
	Surety	—			1			1			2
	Warranty	—			—			—			—
	Other	2			(2		)	4			(14		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(55	)	$	(41	)	$	(57	)	$	(56	)
	Three Months
	2014
	Favorable development for other professional liability and management liability was primarily related to favorable outcomes on individual large claims in accident years 2009 and prior, which contributed to a lower estimate of ultimate severity. Additionally, there was better than expected severity in accident years 2008 through 2011.
	2013
	Favorable development for medical professional liability was primarily due to a decrease in incurred loss severity in accident years 2009 and prior.
	Overall, favorable development for other professional liability and management liability was related to better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2007 through 2009. Unfavorable development was recorded in accident years 2010 through 2012 related to an increase in severity.
	Six Months
	2014
	Favorable development for other professional liability and management liability was primarily related to favorable outcomes on individual large claims in accident years 2009 and prior, which contributed to a lower estimate of ultimate severity. Additionally, there was better than expected severity in accident years 2008 through 2011.
	2013
	Overall, favorable development for medical professional liability reflects favorable experience in accident years 2009 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded for accident years 2010 and 2011 due to higher than expected large loss activity.
	Overall, favorable development for other professional liability and management liability was related to better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2007 through 2009. Unfavorable development was recorded in accident years 2010 through 2012 related to an increase in severity.
	Favorable development for other coverages was primarily due to better than expected loss emergence in property coverages in accident years 2010 and subsequent.
	CNA Commercial
	The following table provides further detail of the development recorded for the CNA Commercial segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The majority of the 2014 unfavorable development relates to business classes which the Company has exited, but also includes Small Business where the Company is taking underwriting actions in an effort to improve profitability.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
Commercial Auto	$	20		$	2		$	40		$	(3	)
General Liability	30			15			25			(6		)
Workers' Compensation	40			45			50			70
Property and Other	(11		)	(35		)	(19		)	(45		)
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	79		$	27		$	96		$	16
Three Months
2014
Unfavorable development for commercial auto was primarily related to higher than expected frequency of large losses in accident years 2010 through 2013.
Unfavorable development for general liability was primarily related to higher than expected severity in accident years 2009 through 2011. In addition, there was higher than expected severity in accident year 2013 related to Small Business.
Unfavorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily due to higher than expected severity related to Defense Base Act contractors in accident years 2012 and 2013.
Favorable development for property and other first-party coverages was recorded in accident years 2012 and prior, primarily related to fewer claims than expected and favorable individual claim settlements.
2013
Unfavorable development for general liability coverages was primarily related to increased incurred loss severity in accident years 2010 through 2012.
Unfavorable development for workers' compensation was primarily in response to legislation enacted during 2013 related to the New York Fund for Reopened Cases. The law change necessitated an increase in reserves as re-opened workers' compensation claims can no longer be turned over to the state for handling and payment after December 31, 2013.
Favorable development for property and other coverages was primarily related to favorable outcomes on litigated catastrophe claims in accident years 2005 and 2010 and favorable loss emergence on non-catastrophe losses in accident year 2012.
Six Months
2014
Unfavorable development for commercial auto was primarily related to higher than expected frequency of large losses in accident years 2010 through 2013. Additionally, unfavorable development was recorded for higher than expected frequency in accident years 2012 and 2013 and higher than expected severity in accident years 2010 and 2011.
Unfavorable development for general liability was primarily related to higher than expected severity in accident years 2009 through 2011. In addition, there was higher than expected severity in accident year 2013 related to Small Business.
Unfavorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily due to higher than expected severity related to Defense Base Act contractors in accident years 2012 and 2013 and the recognition of losses related to favorable premium development in accident year 2013.
Favorable development for property and other first-party coverages was recorded in accident years 2012 and prior, primarily related to fewer claims than expected and favorable individual claim settlements.
2013
Overall, favorable development for general liability coverages was primarily related to better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2002 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded in accident years 2010 through 2012 primarily related to increased incurred loss severity.
Unfavorable development for workers' compensation was recorded in response to legislation in New York as discussed above. Additional unfavorable development was primarily due to higher than expected large losses and increased severity in the state of California in accident year 2010.
Favorable development for property and other coverages was primarily related to favorable outcomes on litigated catastrophe claims in accident years 2005 and 2010 and favorable loss emergence on non-catastrophe losses in accident year 2012.
Hardy
The following table provides further detail of the development recorded for the Hardy segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
Marine and Aviation	$	1		$	4		$	6		$	3
Non-Marine Property	3			7			1			7
Property Treaty	(2		)	2			(4		)	2
Specialty	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(1		)
Commutations	—			—			10			—
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	—		$	12		$	10		$	11
Three Months
2013
Unfavorable development for non-marine property was primarily due to 2011 catastrophe events, including the Thailand floods and the New Zealand Lyttelton earthquake.
Six Months
2014
Reinsurance commutations in the first quarter of 2014 reduced ceded losses from prior years. Overall the commutations increased net operating income because of the release of the related allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
2013
Unfavorable development for non-marine property was primarily due to 2011 catastrophe events, including the Thailand floods and the New Zealand Lyttelton earthquake.

Legal_Proceedings_and_Continge

Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities	'
	Note G. Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities
	The Company is a party to routine litigation incidental to its business, which, based on the facts and circumstances currently known, is not material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Benefit Plans	'
	Note H. Benefit Plans
	The components of net periodic cost (benefit) are presented in the following table.
	Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pension benefit
	Service cost	$	1		$	3		$	4		$	6
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	33			30			66			60
	Expected return on plan assets	(48		)	(45		)	(96		)	(90		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	7			12			13			24
	Net periodic pension benefit	$	(7	)	$	—		$	(13	)	$	—
	Postretirement benefit
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1
	Amortization of prior service credit	(5		)	(5		)	(9		)	(9		)
	Curtailment gain	(86		)	—			(86		)	—
	Net periodic postretirement benefit	$	(90	)	$	(4	)	$	(94	)	$	(8	)
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company eliminated certain postretirement medical benefits associated with the CNA Health and Group Benefits Program. This change is a negative plan amendment and also resulted in an $86 million curtailment gain which is included in Other operating expenses within the Corporate & Other Non-Core segment. In connection with the plan amendment, the Company remeasured the plan benefit obligation which resulted in a decrease in the discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation from 3.60% to 3.10%.

Other_Intangible_Assets

Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]	'
Other Intangible Assets	'
	Note I. Other Intangible Assets
	Other intangible assets are presented in the following table.
			30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	(In millions)	Economic Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	Finite-lived intangible assets:
	Value of business acquired	1 - 4 years	$	66	$	66	$	64	$	63
	Trade name	8 years	8		2		8		2
	Distribution channel	15 years	14		2		13		1
	Total finite-lived intangible assets		88		70		85		66
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Syndicate capacity		60				58
	Agency force		16				16
	Total indefinite-lived intangible assets		76				74
	Total other intangible assets		$	164	$	70	$	159	$	66
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, amortization expense of $1 million was included in Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and $1 million was recorded in Other operating expenses in the Statement of Operations for the Hardy segment. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, amortization expense of $4 million and $13 million was included in Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and $2 million and $5 million was included in Other operating expenses in the Statement of Operations for the Hardy segment. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization in the table above may change from period to period as a result of foreign currency translation. Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets is $1 million in 2015 and $2 million in years 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_

Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees	'
	Note J. Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company holds an investment in a real estate joint venture. In the normal course of business, the Company, on a joint and several basis with other unrelated insurance company shareholders, has committed to continue funding the operating deficits of this joint venture. Additionally, the Company and the other unrelated shareholders, on a joint and several basis, have guaranteed an operating lease for an office building, which expires in 2016. The guarantee of the operating lease is a parallel guarantee to the commitment to fund operating deficits; consequently, the separate guarantee to the lessor is not expected to be triggered as long as the joint venture continues to be funded by its shareholders which provide liquidity to make its annual lease payments.
	In the event that the other parties to the joint venture are unable to meet their commitments in funding the operations of this joint venture, the Company would be required to assume the obligation for the entire office building operating lease. The Company does not believe it is likely that it will be required to do so.  However, the maximum potential future lease payments and other related costs at June 30, 2014 that the Company could be required to pay under this guarantee, in excess of amounts already recorded, were approximately $72 million. If the Company were required to assume the entire lease obligation, the Company would have the right to pursue reimbursement from the other shareholders and the right to all sublease revenues.
	Guarantees
	In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, the Company has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification agreements may include provisions that survive indefinitely. As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third-party loans was $699 million.
	In addition, the Company has agreed to provide indemnification to third-party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser's ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. Certain provisions of the indemnification agreements survive indefinitely while others survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire or until the agreed-upon contract terms expire.
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded liabilities of approximately $7 million related to indemnification agreements and management believes that it is not likely that any future indemnity claims will be significantly greater than the amounts recorded.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	Note K. Business Segments
	The Company's core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in three business segments: CNA Specialty, CNA Commercial and Hardy. The Company's non-core operations are managed in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Corporate & Other Non-Core.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A of the Consolidated Financial Statements within CNAF's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company manages most of its assets on a legal entity basis, while segment operations are generally conducted across legal entities. As such, only insurance and reinsurance receivables, insurance reserves, deferred acquisition costs and goodwill are readily identifiable for all individual segments. Distinct investment portfolios are not maintained for every individual segment; accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, a significant portion of net investment income and realized investment gains or losses are allocated primarily based on each segment's net carried insurance reserves, as adjusted. All significant intersegment income and expense has been eliminated. Income taxes have been allocated on the basis of the taxable income of the segments.
	In the following tables, certain financial measures are presented to provide information used by management to monitor the Company's operating performance. Management utilizes these financial measures to monitor the Company's insurance operations and investment portfolio. Net operating income, which is derived from certain income statement amounts, is used by management to monitor performance of the Company's insurance operations. The Company's investment portfolio is monitored by management through analysis of various factors including unrealized gains and losses on securities, portfolio duration and exposure to market and credit risk. Based on such analyses, the Company may recognize an OTTI loss on an investment security in accordance with its policy, or sell a security, which may produce realized gains and losses.
	Net operating income (loss) is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) the after-tax effects of 1) net realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. The calculation of net operating income excludes net realized investment gains or losses because net realized investment gains or losses are largely discretionary, except for some losses related to OTTI, and are generally driven by economic factors that are not necessarily consistent with key drivers of underwriting performance, and are therefore not considered an indication of trends in insurance operations.
	The results of the Company's continuing operations and selected balance sheet items are presented in the following tables.
	Three months ended June 30, 2014	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
		Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
	(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
	Operating revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	763		$	817		$	92		$	139		$	—		$	—		$	1,811
	Net investment income	161			208			1			173			7			—			550
	Other revenues	74			9			(1		)	8			5			(2		)	93
	Total operating revenues	998			1,034			92			320			12			(2		)	2,454
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Net incurred claims and benefits	426			654			52			304			1			—			1,437
	Policyholders’ dividends	1			3			—			—			—			—			4
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	158			144			26			7			—			—			335
	Other insurance related expenses	74			138			16			31			—			—			259
	Other expenses	65			8			4			(3		)	(31		)	(2		)	41
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	724			947			98			339			(30		)	(2		)	2,076
	Operating income (loss) before income tax	274			87			(6		)	(19		)	42			—			378
	Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(92		)	(28		)	1			28			(15		)	—			(106		)
	Net operating income (loss)	182			59			(5		)	9			27			—			272
	Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	(5		)	(7		)	(1		)	(4		)	3			—			(14		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	2			1			—			1			(1		)	—			3
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	(3		)	(6		)	(1		)	(3		)	2			—			(11		)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	179		$	53		$	(6	)	$	6		$	29		$	—		$	261
	Three months ended June 30, 2013	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
		Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
	(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
	Operating revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	746		$	840		$	76		$	138		$	—		$	—		$	1,800
	Net investment income	151			211			1			163			8			—			534
	Other revenues	63			65			(1		)	2			2			(1		)	130
	Total operating revenues	960			1,116			76			303			10			(1		)	2,464
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Net incurred claims and benefits	452			644			41			347			(2		)	—			1,482
	Policyholders’ dividends	1			2			—			—			—			—			3
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	156			153			20			6			—			—			335
	Other insurance related expenses	65			142			13			32			—			—			252
	Other expenses	60			2			6			2			39			(1		)	108
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	734			943			80			387			37			(1		)	2,180
	Operating income (loss) before income tax	226			173			(4		)	(84		)	(27		)	—			284
	Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(78		)	(61		)	2			43			9			—			(85		)
	Net operating income (loss)	148			112			(2		)	(41		)	(18		)	—			199
	Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	(6		)	(12		)	1			—			3			—			(14		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	2			4			(1		)	1			(1		)	—			5
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	(4		)	(8		)	—			1			2			—			(9		)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	144		$	104		$	(2	)	$	(40	)	$	(16	)	$	—		$	190
	Six months ended June 30, 2014	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
		Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
	(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
	Operating revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	1,511		$	1,639		$	190		$	278		$	—		$	(1	)	$	3,617
	Net investment income	312			406			2			344			12			—			1,076
	Other revenues	142			18			—			13			7			(2		)	178
	Total operating revenues	1,965			2,063			192			635			19			(3		)	4,871
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Net incurred claims and benefits	906			1,276			90			610			(2		)	—			2,880
	Policyholders’ dividends	2			5			—			—			—			—			7
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	311			284			54			15			—			—			664
	Other insurance related expenses	146			277			36			63			—			(1		)	521
Other expenses	126			19			8			(2		)	20			(2		)	169
Total claims, benefits and expenses	1,491			1,861			188			686			18			(3		)	4,241
Operating income (loss) before income tax	474			202			4			(51		)	1			—			630
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(158		)	(65		)	(2		)	58			(1		)	—			(168		)
Net operating income	316			137			2			7			—			—			462
Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	7			5			(1		)	12			9			—			32
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	(2		)	(3		)	—			(5		)	(3		)	—			(13		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	5			2			(1		)	7			6			—			19
Net income from continuing operations	$	321		$	139		$	1		$	14		$	6		$	—		$	481
June 30, 2014
(In millions)
Reinsurance receivables	$	666		$	1,032		$	146		$	367		$	2,904		$	—		$	5,115
Insurance receivables	$	853		$	1,137		$	214		$	7		$	4		$	—		$	2,215
Deferred acquisition costs	$	323		$	267		$	60		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	650
Goodwill	$	117		$	—		$	39		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	156
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	$	6,939		$	10,537		$	386		$	3,092		$	3,042		$	—		$	23,996
Unearned premiums	1,857			1,576			283			136			—			(1		)	3,851
Future policy benefits	—			—			—			8,696			—			—			8,696
Policyholders’ funds	9			18			—			—			—			—			27
Six months ended June 30, 2013	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
	Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
Operating revenues
Net earned premiums	$	1,469		$	1,677		$	140		$	279		$	—		$	(1	)	$	3,564
Net investment income	321			461			2			325			16			—			1,125
Other revenues	123			75			—			5			5			(1		)	207
Total operating revenues	1,913			2,213			142			609			21			(2		)	4,896
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	917			1,244			72			640			2			—			2,875
Policyholders’ dividends	2			4			—			—			—			—			6
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	306			302			41			14			—			—			663
Other insurance related expenses	136			285			29			64			—			(1		)	513
Other expenses	114			11			13			7			85			(1		)	229
Total claims, benefits and expenses	1,475			1,846			155			725			87			(2		)	4,286
Operating income (loss) before income tax	438			367			(13		)	(116		)	(66		)	—			610
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(150		)	(130		)	3			69			22			—			(186		)
Net operating income (loss)	288			237			(10		)	(47		)	(44		)	—			424
Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	(3		)	(8		)	2			9			9			—			9
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	1			3			(1		)	(2		)	(3		)	—			(2		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(2		)	(5		)	1			7			6			—			7
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	286		$	232		$	(9	)	$	(40	)	$	(38	)	$	—		$	431
December 31, 2013
(In millions)
Reinsurance receivables	$	546		$	1,075		$	197		$	1,203		$	3,067		$	—		$	6,088
Insurance receivables	$	775		$	1,099		$	176		$	11		$	2		$	—		$	2,063
Deferred acquisition costs	$	318		$	257		$	49		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	624
Goodwill	$	117		$	—		$	38		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	155
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	$	6,689		$	10,649		$	386		$	3,058		$	3,307		$	—		$	24,089
Unearned premiums	1,805			1,536			249			128			—			—			3,718
Future policy benefits	—			—			—			10,471			—			—			10,471
Policyholders’ funds	9			15			—			92			—			—			116
The following table provides revenue by line of business for each reportable segment. Revenues are comprised of operating revenues and net realized investment gains and losses.
Revenues by Line of Business
Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
CNA Specialty
International	$	62		$	59		$	126		$	118
Management & Professional Liability	710			687			1,414			1,387
Surety	125			123			247			239
Warranty & Alternative Risks	96			85			185			166
CNA Specialty revenues	993			954			1,972			1,910
CNA Commercial
Commercial Insurance	755			827			1,517			1,653
International	91			90			186			183
Small Business	181			187			365			369
CNA Commercial revenues	1,027			1,104			2,068			2,205
Hardy revenues	91			77			191			144
Life & Group Non-Core revenues	316			303			647			618
Corporate & Other Non-Core revenues	15			13			28			30
Eliminations	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(2		)
Total revenues	$	2,440		$	2,450		$	4,903		$	4,905

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	'
	Note L. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
	The tables below display the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at April 1, 2014	$	33		$	912		$	30		$	(425	)	$	142		$	692
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2			257			7			—			42			308
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $6, $0, $(28), $0, and $(22)	—			(13		)	—			51			—			38
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(1), $(146), $(5), $28, $0 and $(124)	2			270			7			(51		)	42			270
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	35		$	1,182		$	37		$	(476	)	$	184		$	962
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at April 1, 2013	$	34		$	1,309		$	(716	)	$	100		$	727
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(8		)	(589		)	—			(13		)	(610		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $3, $2, $0, and $5	—			(4		)	(5		)	—			(9		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $4, $314, $(2), $0, and $316	(8		)	(585		)	5			(13		)	(601		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	26		$	724		$	(711	)	$	87		$	126
	The tables below display the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	26		$	692		$	—		$	(426	)	$	150		$	442
	Transfer to net assets held for sale	(5		)	(17		)	22			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	14			521			15			—			34			584
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $(8), $0, $(27), $0, and $(35)	—			14			—			50			—			64
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(7), $(273), $(10), $27, $0 and $(263)	14			507			15			(50		)	34			520
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	35		$	1,182		$	37		$	(476	)	$	184		$	962
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	20		$	1,371		$	(721	)	$	161		$	831
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6			(638		)	—			(74		)	(706		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $(3), $5, $0, and $2	—			9			(10		)	—			(1		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(3), $349, $(5), $0, and $341	6			(647		)	10			(74		)	(705		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	26		$	724		$	(711	)	$	87		$	126
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) shown above are reported in Net income (loss) as follows:
	Component of AOCI		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Line Item Affected by Reclassifications
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses		Net realized investment gains (losses)
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments		Net realized investment gains (losses)
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations		Income (loss) from discontinued operations
	Pension and postretirement benefits		Other operating expenses

Assets_Liabilities_Held_for_Sa

Assets & Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	'
	Note M. Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
	The results of discontinued operations reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues
	Net investment income	$	39		$	44		$	80		$	86
	Net realized investment gains	1			—			2			5
	Other revenues	—			(1		)	—			—
	Total revenues	40			43			82			91
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits	32			36			63			69
	Other operating expenses	1			1			2			2
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	33			37			65			71
	Income before income tax	7			6			17			20
	Income tax expense	(1		)	(2		)	(4		)	(7		)
	Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax	6			4			13			13
	Impairment loss related to sale, net of income tax benefit of -, -, $41 and -	—			—			(214		)	—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	6		$	4		$	(201	)	$	13
	The following table presents the detailed assets and liabilities held for sale as of June 30, 2014:
	(In millions)	2014
	Assets
	Investments:
	Fixed maturity securities at fair value	$	2,752
	Equity securities at fair value	17
	Short term investments	67
	Total investments	2,836
	Cash	9
	Reinsurance receivables	811
	Other assets	46
	Separate account business	146
	Assets held for sale	3,848
	Less: Impairment related to sale	(255		)
	Total assets held for sale	$	3,593
	Liabilities
	Insurance reserves	$	3,109
	Other liabilities	88
	Separate account business	146
	Total liabilities held for sale	$	3,343

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Net investment income	'
	Net Investment Income
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fixed maturity securities	$	451		$	454		$	903		$	911
	Short term investments	—			1			1			2
	Limited partnership investments	97			79			170			210
	Equity securities	3			3			5			6
	Mortgage loans	9			6			15			11
	Trading portfolio	3			5			6			10
	Other	1			—			3			1
	Gross investment income	564			548			1,103			1,151
	Investment expense	(14		)	(14		)	(27		)	(26		)
	Net investment income	$	550		$	534		$	1,076		$	1,125
Net realized investment gains (losses)	'
	Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net realized investment gains (losses):
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Gross realized gains	$	20		$	33		$	73		$	72
	Gross realized losses	(39		)	(40		)	(54		)	(52		)
	Net realized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities	(19		)	(7		)	19			20
	Equity securities:
	Gross realized gains	—			5			5			7
	Gross realized losses	—			(7		)	—			(22		)
	Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities	—			(2		)	5			(15		)
	Derivatives	1			(5		)	1			(3		)
	Short term investments and other	4			—			7			7
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	(14	)	$	(14	)	$	32		$	9
Components of net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in continuing earnings	'
	The components of net other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized in earnings by asset type are summarized in the following table.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	2		$	5		$	3		$	8
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	1			3			2			3
	Other asset-backed	1			1			1			1
	Total asset-backed	2			4			3			4
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	4			9			6			12
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stock	1			2			1			2
	Preferred stock	—			5			—			20
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	1			7			1			22
	Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	$	5		$	16		$	7		$	34
Summary of fixed maturity and equity securities	'
	Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
	June 30, 2014	Cost or			Gross			Gross			Estimated			Unrealized
		Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			OTTI
	(In millions)	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value			Losses (Gains)
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	17,276		$	1,852		$	30		$	19,098		$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	11,215			1,178			70			12,323			—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	4,882			202			14			5,070			(51		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	1,999			107			7			2,099			(3		)
	Other asset-backed	1,172			16			3			1,185			—
	Total asset-backed	8,053			325			24			8,354			(54		)
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	61			6			1			66			—
	Foreign government	533			18			1			550			—
	Redeemable preferred stock	39			3			—			42			—
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	37,177			3,382			126			40,433			$	(54	)
	Total fixed maturity securities trading	35			—			—			35
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stock	46			14			—			60
	Preferred stock	129			5			—			134
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	175			19			—			194
	Total	$	37,387		$	3,401		$	126		$	40,662
	December 31, 2013	Cost or			Gross			Gross			Estimated			Unrealized
		Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			OTTI
	(In millions)	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value			Losses (Gains)
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	19,352		$	1,645		$	135		$	20,862		$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	11,281			548			272			11,557			—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	4,940			123			92			4,971			(37		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	1,995			90			22			2,063			(3		)
	Other asset-backed	945			13			3			955			—
	Total asset-backed	7,880			226			117			7,989			(40		)
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	139			6			1			144			—
	Foreign government	531			15			3			543			—
	Redeemable preferred stock	92			10			—			102			—
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	39,275			2,450			528			41,197			$	(40	)
	Total fixed maturity securities trading	36			—			—			36
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stock	36			9			—			45
	Preferred stock	143			1			4			140
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	179			10			4			185
	Total	$	39,490		$	2,460		$	532		$	41,418
Securities in a gross unrealized loss position	'
	Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position
		Less than 12 Months						12 Months or Longer						Total
	June 30, 2014	Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross
		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized
	(In millions)				Losses						Losses						Losses
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	813		$	12		$	548		$	18		$	1,361		$	30
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	316			2			587			68			903			70
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	125			1			332			13			457			14
	Commercial mortgage-backed	205			2			171			5			376			7
	Other asset-backed	269			3			12			—			281			3
	Total asset-backed	599			6			515			18			1,114			24
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	2			1			4			—			6			1
	Foreign government	39			1			9			—			48			1
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,769			22			1,663			104			3,432			126
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Preferred stock	10			—			2			—			12			—
	Total	$	1,779		$	22		$	1,665		$	104		$	3,444		$	126
		Less than 12 Months						12 Months or Longer						Total
	December 31, 2013	Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated			Gross
		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized
	(In millions)				Losses						Losses						Losses
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	3,592		$	129		$	72		$	6		$	3,664		$	135
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	3,251			197			129			75			3,380			272
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	1,293			29			343			63			1,636			92
	Commercial mortgage-backed	640			22			—			—			640			22
	Other asset-backed	269			3			—			—			269			3
	Total asset-backed	2,202			54			343			63			2,545			117
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	13			1			—			—			13			1
	Foreign government	111			3			—			—			111			3
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	9,169			384			544			144			9,713			528
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Preferred stock	87			4			—			—			87			4
	Total	$	9,256		$	388		$	544		$	144		$	9,800		$	532
Activity related to the pretax fixed maturity credit loss component reflected within retained earnings for securities still held for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in OCI	'
	The following table summarizes the activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held at June 30, 2014 and 2013 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss).
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$	69		$	92		$	74		$	95
	Additional credit losses for securities for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized	—			1			—			1
	Reductions for securities sold during the period	(3		)	(4		)	(5		)	(7		)
	Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	—			—			(3		)	—
	Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$	66		$	89		$	66		$	89
Contractual maturity	'
	Contractual Maturity
		June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	(In millions)	Cost or			Estimated			Cost or			Estimated
		Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair
		Cost			Value			Cost			Value
	Due in one year or less	$	2,832		$	2,883		$	2,420		$	2,455
	Due after one year through five years	9,251			9,893			9,496			10,068
	Due after five years through ten years	11,206			11,792			11,667			11,954
	Due after ten years	13,888			15,865			15,692			16,720
	Total	$	37,177		$	40,433		$	39,275		$	41,197

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]	'
Summary of aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	June 30, 2014	Contractual/		Estimated Fair Value
		Notional
	(In millions)	Amount		Asset		(Liability)
	Without hedge designation
	Currency forwards	$	6	$	—	$	—
	Equity warrants	5		—		—
	Total	$	11	$	—	$	—
	December 31, 2013	Contractual/		Estimated Fair Value
		Notional
	(In millions)	Amount		Asset		(Liability)
	Without hedge designation
	Equity warrants	$	5	$	—	$	—

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis are summarized below.
	June 30, 2014										Total
											Assets/(Liabilities)
	(In millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			at Fair Value
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	34		$	18,891		$	194		$	19,119
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	—			12,258			79			12,337
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			4,885			185			5,070
	Commercial mortgage-backed	—			2,040			59			2,099
	Other asset-backed	—			559			626			1,185
	Total asset-backed	—			7,484			870			8,354
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	62			4			—			66
	Foreign government	60			490			—			550
	Redeemable preferred stock	30			12			—			42
	Total fixed maturity securities	186			39,139			1,143			40,468
	Equity securities	137			55			2			194
	Other invested assets	—			45			—			45
	Short term investments	1,323			606			—			1,929
	Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets	—			—			86			86
	Total recurring basis assets	1,646			39,845			1,231			42,722
	Assets held for sale - nonrecurring basis	—			3,593			—			3,593
	Total assets	$	1,646		$	43,438		$	1,231		$	46,315
	Liabilities
	Liabilities held for sale - nonrecurring basis	$	—		$	3,343		$	—		$	3,343
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	3,343		$	—		$	3,343
	December 31, 2013										Total
											Assets/(Liabilities)
	(In millions)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			at Fair Value
	Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	33		$	20,661		$	204		$	20,898
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	—			11,486			71			11,557
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	—			4,640			331			4,971
	Commercial mortgage-backed	—			1,912			151			2,063
	Other asset-backed	—			509			446			955
	Total asset-backed	—			7,061			928			7,989
	U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises	116			28			—			144
	Foreign government	81			462			—			543
	Redeemable preferred stock	45			57			—			102
	Total fixed maturity securities	275			39,755			1,203			41,233
	Equity securities	126			48			11			185
	Other invested assets	—			54			—			54
	Short term investments	769			563			—			1,332
	Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets	—			—			88			88
	Separate account business	9			171			1			181
	Total assets	$	1,179		$	40,591		$	1,303		$	43,073
Table of reconciliation for assets and liablities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	'
	The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at June 30,		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2014 recognized in net income (loss)*
	(In millions)	April 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			2014
		2014
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	189		$	1		$	—		$	21	$	(6	)	$	(5	)	$	5	$	(11	)	$	194	$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	86			1			1			1		(10		)	—			—		—			79		—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	359			(24		)	47			22		(174		)	(19		)	—		(26		)	185		—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	126			1			1			—		(60		)	(1		)	12		(20		)	59		—
	Other asset-backed	439			—			4			229		(28		)	(18		)	—		—			626		(1		)
	Total asset-backed	924			(23		)	52			251		(262		)	(38		)	12		(46		)	870		(1		)
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,199			(21		)	53			273		(278		)	(43		)	17		(57		)	1,143		(1		)
	Equity securities	2			—			—			—		—			—			—		—			2		—
	Life settlement contracts	87			12			—			—		—			(13		)	—		—			86		1
	Total	$	1,288		$	(9	)	$	53		$	273	$	(278	)	$	(56	)	$	17	$	(57	)	$	1,231	$	—
	Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2013 recognized in net income (loss)*
	(In millions)	April 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			June 30,
		2013																						2013
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	302		$	1		$	(3	)	$	13	$	(73	)	$	(6	)	$	—	$	(32	)	$	202	$	(1	)
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	129			—			4			37		(32		)	(3		)	5		—			140		—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	450			(1		)	(1		)	50		(10		)	(21		)	4		(43		)	428		(2		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	177			—			4			5		—			(2		)	21		(40		)	165		—
	Other asset-backed	396			—			(3		)	38		(33		)	(11		)	—		—			387		(1		)
	Total asset-backed	1,023			(1		)	—			93		(43		)	(34		)	25		(83		)	980		(3		)
	Redeemable preferred stock	26			—			(1		)	—		—			—			—		—			25		—
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,480			—			—			143		(148		)	(43		)	30		(115		)	1,347		(4		)
	Equity securities	19			(5		)	(1		)	—		—			—			—		—			13		(5		)
	Other invested assets, including derivatives, net	(1		)	—			—			—		—			1			—		—			—		—
	Short term investments	5			—			—			—		(5		)	—			—		—			—		—
	Life settlement contracts	95			4			—			—		—			(8		)	—		—			91		(1		)
	Separate account business	2			—			—			—		—			—			—		—			2		—
	Total	$	1,600		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	143	$	(153	)	$	(50	)	$	30	$	(115	)	$	1,453	$	(10	)
	The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2014 recognized in net income (loss)*
	(In millions)	January 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			June 30,
		2014																						2014
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	204		$	2		$	1		$	26	$	(10	)	$	(10	)	$	8	$	(27	)	$	194	$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	71			1			2			1		(10		)	—			14		—			79		—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	331			(23		)	62			47		(174		)	(40		)	21		(39		)	185		—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	151			2			—			—		(60		)	(2		)	12		(44		)	59		—
	Other asset-backed	446			1			4			377		(111		)	(90		)	—		(1		)	626		(1		)
	Total asset-backed	928			(20		)	66			424		(345		)	(132		)	33		(84		)	870		(1		)
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,203			(17		)	69			451		(365		)	(142		)	55		(111		)	1,143		(1		)
	Equity securities	11			3			(4		)	—		(8		)	—			—		—			2		—
	Life settlement contracts	88			22			—			—		—			(24		)	—		—			86		2
	Separate account business	1			—			—			—		—			—			—		(1		)	—		—
	Total	$	1,303		$	8		$	65		$	451	$	(373	)	$	(166	)	$	55	$	(112	)	$	1,231	$	1
	Level 3	Balance at			Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)*			Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)			Purchases		Sales			Settlements			Transfers into		Transfers out			Balance at		Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at June 30, 2013 recognized in net income (loss)*
	(In millions)	January 1,																	Level 3		of Level 3			June 30,
		2013																						2013
	Fixed maturity securities:
	Corporate and other bonds	$	219		$	1		$	(1	)	$	123	$	(90	)	$	(26	)	$	26	$	(50	)	$	202	$	(2	)
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	96			(3		)	4			122		(79		)	(5		)	5		—			140		—
	Asset-backed:
	Residential mortgage-backed	413			2			(1		)	111		(10		)	(32		)	4		(59		)	428		(2		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	129			1			9			78		—			(9		)	21		(64		)	165		—
	Other asset-backed	368			3			(2		)	174		(132		)	(24		)	—		—			387		(1		)
	Total asset-backed	910			6			6			363		(142		)	(65		)	25		(123		)	980		(3		)
Redeemable preferred stock	26			—			(1		)	—		—			—			—		—			25		—
Total fixed maturity securities	1,251			4			8			608		(311		)	(96		)	56		(173		)	1,347		(5		)
Equity securities	34			(20		)	—			—		—			—			—		(1		)	13		(20		)
Other invested assets, including derivatives, net	—			—			—			—		(1		)	1			—		—			—		—
Short term investments	6			—			—			—		(6		)	—			—		—			—		—
Life settlement contracts	100			11			—			—		—			(20		)	—		—			91		(1		)
Separate account business	2			—			—			—		—			—			—		—			2		—
Total	$	1,393		$	(5	)	$	8		$	608	$	(318	)	$	(115	)	$	56	$	(174	)	$	1,453	$	(26	)
Quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of level 3 assets	'
	The table below presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by the Company in the fair value measurements of Level 3 assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities not presented in the table below are primarily based on broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to inputs used to develop the valuations. The quantitative detail of these unobservable inputs is neither provided nor reasonably available to the Company.
	Assets	Fair Value at June 30, 2014			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)	Range
	(In millions)							(Weighted Average)
	Fixed maturity securities	$	115		Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	2% - 15% (4%)
	Equity securities	$	2		Market approach		Private offering price	$4,334 per share
	Life settlement contracts	$	86		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate risk premium	9%
							Mortality assumption	70% - 743% (194%)
	Assets	Fair Value at December 31, 2013			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input(s)	Range
	(In millions)							(Weighted Average)
	Fixed maturity securities	$	142		Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	2% - 20% (4%)
	Equity securities	$	10		Market approach		Private offering price	$360 - $4,268 per share ($1,148)
	Life settlement contracts	$	88		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate risk premium	9%
							Mortality assumption	70% - 743% (192%)
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instrument assets and liabilities not measured at fair value	'
	The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are listed in the tables below.
	June 30, 2014	Carrying			Estimated Fair Value
	(In millions)	Amount			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Financial assets
	Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	$	1		$	—		$	—		$	1	$	1
	Mortgage loans	518			—			—			540		540
	Financial liabilities
	Short term debt	$	549		$	—		$	563		$	—	$	563
	Long term debt	2,558			—			2,947			—		2,947
	December 31, 2013	Carrying			Estimated Fair Value
	(In millions)	Amount			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Financial assets
	Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	$	23		$	—		$	—		$	23	$	23
	Mortgage loans	508			—			—			515		515
	Financial liabilities
	Premium deposits and annuity contracts	$	57		$	—		$	—		$	58	$	58
	Short term debt	549			—			575			—		575
	Long term debt	2,011			—			2,328			—		2,328

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp1

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves [Abstract]	'
Net prior year development	'
	The following tables and discussion include the net prior year development recorded for CNA Specialty, CNA Commercial, Hardy and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments.
	Net Prior Year Development
	Three months ended June 30, 2014
	(In millions)	CNA			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
		Specialty									& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(55	)	$	79		$	—		$	—		$	24
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(1		)	(5		)	4			—			(2		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(56	)	$	74		$	4		$	—		$	22
	Three months ended June 30, 2013
	(In millions)	CNA			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
		Specialty									& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(41	)	$	27		$	12		$	(3	)	$	(5	)
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(5		)	(5		)	2			—			(8		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(46	)	$	22		$	14		$	(3	)	$	(13	)
	Six months ended June 30, 2014
	(In millions)	CNA Specialty			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
											& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(57	)	$	96		$	10		$	—		$	49
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(9		)	(24		)	—			—			(33		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(66	)	$	72		$	10		$	—		$	16
	Six months ended June 30, 2013
	(In millions)	CNA Specialty			CNA Commercial			Hardy			Corporate			Total
											& Other
											Non-Core
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(56	)	$	16		$	11		$	(2	)	$	(31	)
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development	(13		)	(15		)	6			1			(21		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(69	)	$	1		$	17		$	(1	)	$	(52	)
Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for CNA Specialty segment	'
	The following table provides further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development (development) recorded for the CNA Specialty segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
	Medical Professional Liability	$	1		$	(17	)	$	2		$	(20	)
	Other Professional Liability and Management Liability	(58		)	(23		)	(64		)	(24		)
	Surety	—			1			1			2
	Warranty	—			—			—			—
	Other	2			(2		)	4			(14		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	(55	)	$	(41	)	$	(57	)	$	(56	)
Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for CNA Commercial segment	'
	The following table provides further detail of the development recorded for the CNA Commercial segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The majority of the 2014 unfavorable development relates to business classes which the Company has exited, but also includes Small Business where the Company is taking underwriting actions in an effort to improve profitability.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
	Commercial Auto	$	20		$	2		$	40		$	(3	)
	General Liability	30			15			25			(6		)
	Workers' Compensation	40			45			50			70
	Property and Other	(11		)	(35		)	(19		)	(45		)
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	79		$	27		$	96		$	16
Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for Hardy segment	'
	The following table provides further detail of the development recorded for the Hardy segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
	Marine and Aviation	$	1		$	4		$	6		$	3
	Non-Marine Property	3			7			1			7
	Property Treaty	(2		)	2			(4		)	2
	Specialty	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(1		)
	Commutations	—			—			10			—
	Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development	$	—		$	12		$	10		$	11

Benefit_Plans_Tables

Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of net periodic cost (benefit)	'
	Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pension benefit
	Service cost	$	1		$	3		$	4		$	6
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	33			30			66			60
	Expected return on plan assets	(48		)	(45		)	(96		)	(90		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	7			12			13			24
	Net periodic pension benefit	$	(7	)	$	—		$	(13	)	$	—
	Postretirement benefit
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1
	Amortization of prior service credit	(5		)	(5		)	(9		)	(9		)
	Curtailment gain	(86		)	—			(86		)	—
	Net periodic postretirement benefit	$	(90	)	$	(4	)	$	(94	)	$	(8	)

Other_Intangible_Assets_Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets	'
	Other intangible assets are presented in the following table.
			30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	(In millions)	Economic Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	Finite-lived intangible assets:
	Value of business acquired	1 - 4 years	$	66	$	66	$	64	$	63
	Trade name	8 years	8		2		8		2
	Distribution channel	15 years	14		2		13		1
	Total finite-lived intangible assets		88		70		85		66
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Syndicate capacity		60				58
	Agency force		16				16
	Total indefinite-lived intangible assets		76				74
	Total other intangible assets		$	164	$	70	$	159	$	66

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Significant components of the Company's continuing operations and selected balance sheet items	'
	Three months ended June 30, 2014	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
		Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
	(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
	Operating revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	763		$	817		$	92		$	139		$	—		$	—		$	1,811
	Net investment income	161			208			1			173			7			—			550
	Other revenues	74			9			(1		)	8			5			(2		)	93
	Total operating revenues	998			1,034			92			320			12			(2		)	2,454
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Net incurred claims and benefits	426			654			52			304			1			—			1,437
	Policyholders’ dividends	1			3			—			—			—			—			4
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	158			144			26			7			—			—			335
	Other insurance related expenses	74			138			16			31			—			—			259
	Other expenses	65			8			4			(3		)	(31		)	(2		)	41
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	724			947			98			339			(30		)	(2		)	2,076
	Operating income (loss) before income tax	274			87			(6		)	(19		)	42			—			378
	Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(92		)	(28		)	1			28			(15		)	—			(106		)
	Net operating income (loss)	182			59			(5		)	9			27			—			272
	Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	(5		)	(7		)	(1		)	(4		)	3			—			(14		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	2			1			—			1			(1		)	—			3
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	(3		)	(6		)	(1		)	(3		)	2			—			(11		)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	179		$	53		$	(6	)	$	6		$	29		$	—		$	261
	Three months ended June 30, 2013	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
		Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
	(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
	Operating revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	746		$	840		$	76		$	138		$	—		$	—		$	1,800
	Net investment income	151			211			1			163			8			—			534
	Other revenues	63			65			(1		)	2			2			(1		)	130
	Total operating revenues	960			1,116			76			303			10			(1		)	2,464
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Net incurred claims and benefits	452			644			41			347			(2		)	—			1,482
	Policyholders’ dividends	1			2			—			—			—			—			3
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	156			153			20			6			—			—			335
	Other insurance related expenses	65			142			13			32			—			—			252
	Other expenses	60			2			6			2			39			(1		)	108
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	734			943			80			387			37			(1		)	2,180
	Operating income (loss) before income tax	226			173			(4		)	(84		)	(27		)	—			284
	Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(78		)	(61		)	2			43			9			—			(85		)
	Net operating income (loss)	148			112			(2		)	(41		)	(18		)	—			199
	Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	(6		)	(12		)	1			—			3			—			(14		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	2			4			(1		)	1			(1		)	—			5
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	(4		)	(8		)	—			1			2			—			(9		)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	144		$	104		$	(2	)	$	(40	)	$	(16	)	$	—		$	190
	Six months ended June 30, 2014	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
		Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
	(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
	Operating revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	1,511		$	1,639		$	190		$	278		$	—		$	(1	)	$	3,617
	Net investment income	312			406			2			344			12			—			1,076
	Other revenues	142			18			—			13			7			(2		)	178
	Total operating revenues	1,965			2,063			192			635			19			(3		)	4,871
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Net incurred claims and benefits	906			1,276			90			610			(2		)	—			2,880
	Policyholders’ dividends	2			5			—			—			—			—			7
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	311			284			54			15			—			—			664
	Other insurance related expenses	146			277			36			63			—			(1		)	521
	Other expenses	126			19			8			(2		)	20			(2		)	169
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	1,491			1,861			188			686			18			(3		)	4,241
	Operating income (loss) before income tax	474			202			4			(51		)	1			—			630
	Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(158		)	(65		)	(2		)	58			(1		)	—			(168		)
	Net operating income	316			137			2			7			—			—			462
	Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	7			5			(1		)	12			9			—			32
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	(2		)	(3		)	—			(5		)	(3		)	—			(13		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	5			2			(1		)	7			6			—			19
Net income from continuing operations	$	321		$	139		$	1		$	14		$	6		$	—		$	481
June 30, 2014
(In millions)
Reinsurance receivables	$	666		$	1,032		$	146		$	367		$	2,904		$	—		$	5,115
Insurance receivables	$	853		$	1,137		$	214		$	7		$	4		$	—		$	2,215
Deferred acquisition costs	$	323		$	267		$	60		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	650
Goodwill	$	117		$	—		$	39		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	156
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	$	6,939		$	10,537		$	386		$	3,092		$	3,042		$	—		$	23,996
Unearned premiums	1,857			1,576			283			136			—			(1		)	3,851
Future policy benefits	—			—			—			8,696			—			—			8,696
Policyholders’ funds	9			18			—			—			—			—			27
Six months ended June 30, 2013	CNA			CNA			Hardy			Life &			Corporate
	Specialty			Commercial						Group			& Other
(In millions)										Non-Core			Non-Core			Eliminations			Total
Operating revenues
Net earned premiums	$	1,469		$	1,677		$	140		$	279		$	—		$	(1	)	$	3,564
Net investment income	321			461			2			325			16			—			1,125
Other revenues	123			75			—			5			5			(1		)	207
Total operating revenues	1,913			2,213			142			609			21			(2		)	4,896
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	917			1,244			72			640			2			—			2,875
Policyholders’ dividends	2			4			—			—			—			—			6
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	306			302			41			14			—			—			663
Other insurance related expenses	136			285			29			64			—			(1		)	513
Other expenses	114			11			13			7			85			(1		)	229
Total claims, benefits and expenses	1,475			1,846			155			725			87			(2		)	4,286
Operating income (loss) before income tax	438			367			(13		)	(116		)	(66		)	—			610
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(150		)	(130		)	3			69			22			—			(186		)
Net operating income (loss)	288			237			(10		)	(47		)	(44		)	—			424
Net realized investment gains (losses), pretax	(3		)	(8		)	2			9			9			—			9
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	1			3			(1		)	(2		)	(3		)	—			(2		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(2		)	(5		)	1			7			6			—			7
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	286		$	232		$	(9	)	$	(40	)	$	(38	)	$	—		$	431
December 31, 2013
(In millions)
Reinsurance receivables	$	546		$	1,075		$	197		$	1,203		$	3,067		$	—		$	6,088
Insurance receivables	$	775		$	1,099		$	176		$	11		$	2		$	—		$	2,063
Deferred acquisition costs	$	318		$	257		$	49		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	624
Goodwill	$	117		$	—		$	38		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	155
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	$	6,689		$	10,649		$	386		$	3,058		$	3,307		$	—		$	24,089
Unearned premiums	1,805			1,536			249			128			—			—			3,718
Future policy benefits	—			—			—			10,471			—			—			10,471
Policyholders’ funds	9			15			—			92			—			—			116
Revenues by line of business	'
	Revenues by Line of Business
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	CNA Specialty
	International	$	62		$	59		$	126		$	118
	Management & Professional Liability	710			687			1,414			1,387
	Surety	125			123			247			239
	Warranty & Alternative Risks	96			85			185			166
	CNA Specialty revenues	993			954			1,972			1,910
	CNA Commercial
	Commercial Insurance	755			827			1,517			1,653
	International	91			90			186			183
	Small Business	181			187			365			369
	CNA Commercial revenues	1,027			1,104			2,068			2,205
	Hardy revenues	91			77			191			144
	Life & Group Non-Core revenues	316			303			647			618
	Corporate & Other Non-Core revenues	15			13			28			30
	Eliminations	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(2		)
	Total revenues	$	2,440		$	2,450		$	4,903		$	4,905

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	'
	The tables below display the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at April 1, 2014	$	33		$	912		$	30		$	(425	)	$	142		$	692
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2			257			7			—			42			308
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $6, $0, $(28), $0, and $(22)	—			(13		)	—			51			—			38
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(1), $(146), $(5), $28, $0 and $(124)	2			270			7			(51		)	42			270
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	35		$	1,182		$	37		$	(476	)	$	184		$	962
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at April 1, 2013	$	34		$	1,309		$	(716	)	$	100		$	727
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(8		)	(589		)	—			(13		)	(610		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $3, $2, $0, and $5	—			(4		)	(5		)	—			(9		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $4, $314, $(2), $0, and $316	(8		)	(585		)	5			(13		)	(601		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	26		$	724		$	(711	)	$	87		$	126
	The tables below display the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	26		$	692		$	—		$	(426	)	$	150		$	442
	Transfer to net assets held for sale	(5		)	(17		)	22			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	14			521			15			—			34			584
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $(8), $0, $(27), $0, and $(35)	—			14			—			50			—			64
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(7), $(273), $(10), $27, $0 and $(263)	14			507			15			(50		)	34			520
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	35		$	1,182		$	37		$	(476	)	$	184		$	962
	(In millions)	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses			Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments			Pension and postretirement benefits			Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	20		$	1,371		$	(721	)	$	161		$	831
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6			(638		)	—			(74		)	(706		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $0, $(3), $5, $0, and $2	—			9			(10		)	—			(1		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(3), $349, $(5), $0, and $341	6			(647		)	10			(74		)	(705		)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	26		$	724		$	(711	)	$	87		$	126

Assets_Liabilities_Held_for_Sa1

Assets & Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Detailed assets and liabilities held for sale and results of discontinued operations	'
	The results of discontinued operations reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	Periods ended June 30	Three Months						Six Months
	(In millions)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues
	Net investment income	$	39		$	44		$	80		$	86
	Net realized investment gains	1			—			2			5
	Other revenues	—			(1		)	—			—
	Total revenues	40			43			82			91
	Claims, Benefits and Expenses
	Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits	32			36			63			69
	Other operating expenses	1			1			2			2
	Total claims, benefits and expenses	33			37			65			71
	Income before income tax	7			6			17			20
	Income tax expense	(1		)	(2		)	(4		)	(7		)
	Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax	6			4			13			13
	Impairment loss related to sale, net of income tax benefit of -, -, $41 and -	—			—			(214		)	—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	6		$	4		$	(201	)	$	13
	The following table presents the detailed assets and liabilities held for sale as of June 30, 2014:
	(In millions)	2014
	Assets
	Investments:
	Fixed maturity securities at fair value	$	2,752
	Equity securities at fair value	17
	Short term investments	67
	Total investments	2,836
	Cash	9
	Reinsurance receivables	811
	Other assets	46
	Separate account business	146
	Assets held for sale	3,848
	Less: Impairment related to sale	(255		)
	Total assets held for sale	$	3,593
	Liabilities
	Insurance reserves	$	3,109
	Other liabilities	88
	Separate account business	146
	Total liabilities held for sale	$	3,343

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	622	407	644	446
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	180	114	110	478

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Reduction of net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI due to shadow adjustments	$937	$532
Future capital call commitments for limited partnership investments	348	'
Mortgage Loan Commitments	40	'
Commitments to purchase or fund privately placed debt securities	244	'
Commitments to sell various privately placed debt securities	$158	'

Investments_Net_investment_inc

Investments (Net investment income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	$564	$548	$1,103	$1,151
Investment expense	-14	-14	-27	-26
Net investment income	550	534	1,076	1,125
Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	451	454	903	911
Short-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	'	1	1	2
Limited partnership investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	97	79	170	210
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	3	3	5	6
Mortgage loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	9	6	15	11
Trading portfolio [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	3	5	6	10
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	$1	'	$3	$1

Investments_Net_realized_inves

Investments (Net realized investment gains (losses)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net realized investment gains (losses)	($14)	($14)	$32	$9
Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gross realized gains	20	33	73	72
Gross realized losses	-39	-40	-54	-52
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-19	-7	19	20
Equity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gross realized gains	'	5	5	7
Gross realized losses	'	-7	'	-22
Net realized investment gains (losses)	'	-2	5	-15
Derivative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1	-5	1	-3
Short term investments and other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$4	'	$7	$7

Investments_Components_of_othe

Investments (Components of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	$5	$16	$7	$34
Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	2	5	3	8
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	1	3	2	3
Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	1	1	1	1
Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	2	4	3	4
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	4	9	6	12
Common stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	1	2	1	2
Preferred stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	'	5	'	20
Equity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	$1	$7	$1	$22

Investments_Summary_of_fixed_m

Investments (Summary of fixed maturity and equity securities) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cost or Amortized Cost	$37,387	$39,490
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,401	2,460
Gross Unrealized Losses	126	532
Estimated fair value	40,662	41,418
Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	17,276	19,352
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,852	1,645
Gross Unrealized Losses	30	135
Estimated fair value	19,098	20,862
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	'	'
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	11,215	11,281
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,178	548
Gross Unrealized Losses	70	272
Estimated fair value	12,323	11,557
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	'	'
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,882	4,940
Gross Unrealized Gains	202	123
Gross Unrealized Losses	14	92
Estimated fair value	5,070	4,971
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	-51	-37
Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,999	1,995
Gross Unrealized Gains	107	90
Gross Unrealized Losses	7	22
Estimated fair value	2,099	2,063
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	-3	-3
Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,172	945
Gross Unrealized Gains	16	13
Gross Unrealized Losses	3	3
Estimated fair value	1,185	955
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	'	'
Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	8,053	7,880
Gross Unrealized Gains	325	226
Gross Unrealized Losses	24	117
Estimated fair value	8,354	7,989
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	-54	-40
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	61	139
Gross Unrealized Gains	6	6
Gross Unrealized Losses	1	1
Estimated fair value	66	144
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	'	'
Foreign Government [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	533	531
Gross Unrealized Gains	18	15
Gross Unrealized Losses	1	3
Estimated fair value	550	543
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	'	'
Redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	39	92
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	10
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'
Estimated fair value	42	102
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	'	'
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	37,177	39,275
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,382	2,450
Gross Unrealized Losses	126	528
Estimated fair value	40,433	41,197
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	-54	-40
Total fixed maturity securities trading [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost, Trading Securities	35	36
Gross Unrealized Gains, Trading Securities	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, Trading Securities	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Trading Securities	35	36
Common stock [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	46	36
Gross Unrealized Gains	14	9
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'
Estimated fair value	60	45
Preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	129	143
Gross Unrealized Gains	5	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	4
Estimated fair value	134	140
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	175	179
Gross Unrealized Gains	19	10
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	4
Estimated fair value	$194	$185

Investments_Securities_in_a_gr

Investments (Securities in a gross unrealized loss position) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	$1,779	$9,256
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	22	388
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	1,665	544
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	104	144
Estimated Fair Value, Total	3,444	9,800
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	126	532
Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	813	3,592
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	12	129
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	548	72
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	18	6
Estimated Fair Value, Total	1,361	3,664
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	30	135
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	316	3,251
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	2	197
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	587	129
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	68	75
Estimated Fair Value, Total	903	3,380
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	70	272
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	125	1,293
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	1	29
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	332	343
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	13	63
Estimated Fair Value, Total	457	1,636
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	14	92
Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	205	640
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	2	22
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	171	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	5	'
Estimated Fair Value, Total	376	640
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	7	22
Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	269	269
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	3	3
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	12	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Total	281	269
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	3	3
Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	599	2,202
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	6	54
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	515	343
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	18	63
Estimated Fair Value, Total	1,114	2,545
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	24	117
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	2	13
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	1	1
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	4	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Total	6	13
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	1	1
Foreign Government [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	39	111
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	1	3
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	9	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Total	48	111
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	1	3
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	1,769	9,169
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	22	384
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	1,663	544
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	104	144
Estimated Fair Value, Total	3,432	9,713
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	126	528
Preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	10	87
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	'	4
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	2	'
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Longer	'	'
Estimated Fair Value, Total	12	87
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	'	$4

Investments_Activity_related_t

Investments (Activity related to the pretax fixed maturity credit loss component reflected within retained earnings for securities still held for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in OCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$69	$92	$74	$95
Additional credit losses for securities for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized	'	1	'	1
Reductions for securities sold during the period	-3	-4	-5	-7
Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	'	'	-3	'
Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$66	$89	$66	$89

Investments_Contractual_maturi

Investments (Contractual maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Due in one year or less, cost or amortized cost	$2,832	$2,420
Due after one year through five years, cost or amortized cost	9,251	9,496
Due after five years through ten years, cost or amortized cost	11,206	11,667
Due after ten years, cost or amortized cost	13,888	15,692
Total Amortized Cost Basis	37,177	39,275
Due in one year or less, estimated fair value	2,883	2,455
Due after one year through five years, estimated fair value	9,893	10,068
Due after five years through ten years, estimated fair value	11,792	11,954
Due after ten years, estimated fair value	15,865	16,720
Total Estimated Fair Value	$40,433	$41,197

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Summary of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Derivative transactions entered into	$181	$1,443	$248	$2,047
Derivative transactions terminated	$175	$1,523	$242	$2,065

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Summary of aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Contractual/notional amount	$11	$5
Estimated fair value asset	'	'
Estimated fair value (liability)	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Contractual/notional amount	6	'
Estimated fair value asset	'	'
Estimated fair value (liability)	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Contractual/notional amount	5	5
Estimated fair value asset	'	'
Estimated fair value (liability)	'	'

Fair_Value_Assets_and_liabilit

Fair Value (Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	$42,722	$43,073
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	46,315	43,073
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	3,343	'
Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	19,119	20,898
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	12,337	11,557
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	5,070	4,971
Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	2,099	2,063
Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	1,185	955
Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	8,354	7,989
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	66	144
Foreign Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	550	543
Redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	42	102
Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	40,468	41,233
Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	194	185
Other invested assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	45	54
Short-term investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	1,929	1,332
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	86	88
Separate account business [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	181
Assets held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	3,593	'
Liabilities held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	3,343	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	1,646	1,179
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,646	1,179
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	34	33
Level 1 [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	62	116
Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	60	81
Level 1 [Member] | Redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	30	45
Level 1 [Member] | Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	186	275
Level 1 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	137	126
Level 1 [Member] | Other invested assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Short-term investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	1,323	769
Level 1 [Member] | Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Separate account business [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	9
Level 1 [Member] | Assets held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Liabilities held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	39,845	40,591
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	43,438	40,591
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	3,343	'
Level 2 [Member] | Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	18,891	20,661
Level 2 [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	12,258	11,486
Level 2 [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	4,885	4,640
Level 2 [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	2,040	1,912
Level 2 [Member] | Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	559	509
Level 2 [Member] | Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	7,484	7,061
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	4	28
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	490	462
Level 2 [Member] | Redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	12	57
Level 2 [Member] | Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	39,139	39,755
Level 2 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	55	48
Level 2 [Member] | Other invested assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	45	54
Level 2 [Member] | Short-term investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	606	563
Level 2 [Member] | Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Separate account business [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	171
Level 2 [Member] | Assets held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	3,593	'
Level 2 [Member] | Liabilities held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	3,343	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	1,231	1,303
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,231	1,303
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	194	204
Level 3 [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	79	71
Level 3 [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	185	331
Level 3 [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	59	151
Level 3 [Member] | Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	626	446
Level 3 [Member] | Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	870	928
Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	1,143	1,203
Level 3 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	2	11
Level 3 [Member] | Other invested assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Short-term investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	86	88
Level 3 [Member] | Separate account business [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	'	1
Level 3 [Member] | Assets held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Liabilities held for sale-nonrecurring basis [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	'	'

Fair_Value_Table_of_reconcilia

Fair Value (Table of reconciliation for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	$1,288	$1,600	$1,303	$1,393
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	-9	-1	8	-5
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	53	-1	65	8
Purchases	273	143	451	608
Sales	-278	-153	-373	-318
Settlements	-56	-50	-166	-115
Transfers into Level 3	17	30	55	56
Transfers out of Level 3	-57	-115	-112	-174
Balance, Ending, Assets	1,231	1,453	1,231	1,453
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	-10	1	-26
Fixed maturity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	1,199	'	1,203	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	-21	'	-17	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	53	'	69	'
Purchases	273	'	451	'
Sales	-278	'	-365	'
Settlements	-43	'	-142	'
Transfers into Level 3	17	'	55	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-57	'	-111	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	1,143	'	1,143	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	-1	'	-1	'
Corporate and other bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	189	'	204	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	1	'	2	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	1	'
Purchases	21	'	26	'
Sales	-6	'	-10	'
Settlements	-5	'	-10	'
Transfers into Level 3	5	'	8	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-11	'	-27	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	194	'	194	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	86	'	71	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	1	'	1	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1	'	2	'
Purchases	1	'	1	'
Sales	-10	'	-10	'
Settlements	'	'	'	'
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	14	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	'	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	79	'	79	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	359	'	331	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	-24	'	-23	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	47	'	62	'
Purchases	22	'	47	'
Sales	-174	'	-174	'
Settlements	-19	'	-40	'
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	21	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-26	'	-39	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	185	'	185	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	126	'	151	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	1	'	2	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1	'	'	'
Purchases	'	'	'	'
Sales	-60	'	-60	'
Settlements	-1	'	-2	'
Transfers into Level 3	12	'	12	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-20	'	-44	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	59	'	59	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Other asset-backed [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	439	'	446	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	'	'	1	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	4	'	4	'
Purchases	229	'	377	'
Sales	-28	'	-111	'
Settlements	-18	'	-90	'
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	'	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	-1	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	626	'	626	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	-1	'	-1	'
Total asset-backed [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	924	'	928	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	-23	'	-20	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	52	'	66	'
Purchases	251	'	424	'
Sales	-262	'	-345	'
Settlements	-38	'	-132	'
Transfers into Level 3	12	'	33	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-46	'	-84	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	870	'	870	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	-1	'	-1	'
Equity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	2	'	11	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	'	'	3	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	-4	'
Purchases	'	'	'	'
Sales	'	'	-8	'
Settlements	'	'	'	'
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	'	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	'	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	2	'	2	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	87	'	88	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	12	'	22	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Purchases	'	'	'	'
Sales	'	'	'	'
Settlements	-13	'	-24	'
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	'	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	'	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	86	'	86	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	1	'	2	'
Separate account business [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning, Assets	'	'	1	'
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Purchases	'	'	'	'
Sales	'	'	'	'
Settlements	'	'	'	'
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	'	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	-1	'
Balance, Ending, Assets	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at balance sheet date recognized in net income (loss)	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Narrative_Details

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Assets Level 2 to Level 1, Transfers	$1	'	$24	'
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2, Transfers	'	'	$1	'

Fair_Value_Quantitative_inform

Fair Value (Quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of level 3 assets) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	46,315	43,073
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	115	142
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spread	2.00%	2.00%
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spread	15.00%	20.00%
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spread	4.00%	4.00%
Equity securities [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2	10
Private offering price	4,334	'
Equity securities [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Private offering price	'	360
Equity securities [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Private offering price	'	4,268
Equity securities [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Private offering price	'	1,148
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	86	88
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Mortality assumption	70.00%	70.00%
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Mortality assumption	743.00%	743.00%
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Mortality assumption	194.00%	192.00%
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Rate [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Discount rate risk premium	9.00%	9.00%

Fair_Value_Carrying_amount_and

Fair Value (Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financial Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	$1	$23
Mortgage loans	518	508
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Short term debt	549	549
Long term debt	2,558	2,011
Carrying Amount [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	1	23
Mortgage loans	518	508
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Premium deposits and annuity contracts	'	57
Short term debt	549	549
Long term debt	2,558	2,011
Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	1	23
Mortgage loans	540	515
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Premium deposits and annuity contracts	'	58
Short term debt	563	575
Long term debt	2,947	2,328
Level 1 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	'	'
Mortgage loans	'	'
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Premium deposits and annuity contracts	'	'
Short term debt	'	'
Long term debt	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	'	'
Mortgage loans	'	'
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Premium deposits and annuity contracts	'	'
Short term debt	563	575
Long term debt	2,947	2,328
Level 3 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	1	23
Mortgage loans	540	515
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Premium deposits and annuity contracts	'	58
Short term debt	'	'
Long term debt	'	'

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp2

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance	$56	$65	$130	$104

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp3

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Net prior year development) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$24	($5)	$49	($31)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	-2	-8	-33	-21
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	22	-13	16	-52
CNA Specialty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	-55	-41	-57	-56
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	-1	-5	-9	-13
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	-56	-46	-66	-69
CNA Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	79	27	96	16
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	-5	-5	-24	-15
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	74	22	72	1
Hardy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	'	12	10	11
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	4	2	'	6
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	4	14	10	17
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	'	-3	'	-2
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	'	'	'	1
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	'	($3)	'	($1)

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp4

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for CNA Specialty segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$24	($5)	$49	($31)
CNA Specialty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Medical Professional Liability	1	-17	2	-20
Other Professional Liability and Management Liability	-58	-23	-64	-24
Surety	'	1	1	2
Warranty	'	'	'	'
Other	2	-2	4	-14
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	($55)	($41)	($57)	($56)

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp5

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for CNA Commercial segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$24	($5)	$49	($31)
CNA Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial Auto	20	2	40	-3
General Liability	30	15	25	-6
Workers' Compensation	40	45	50	70
Property and Other	-11	-35	-19	-45
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$79	$27	$96	$16

Claim_and_Claim_Adjustment_Exp6

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for Hardy segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$24	($5)	$49	($31)
Hardy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Marine and Aviation	1	4	6	3
Non-Marine Property	3	7	1	7
Property Treaty	-2	2	-4	2
Specialty	-2	-1	-3	-1
Commutations	'	'	10	'
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	'	$12	$10	$11

Benefit_Plans_Narrative_Detail

Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	$86	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	3.10%	3.60%

Benefit_Plans_Components_of_ne

Benefit Plans (Components of net periodic cost (benefit)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Curtailment gain	'	'	$86	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	1	3	4	6
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	33	30	66	60
Expected return on plan assets	-48	-45	-96	-90
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	7	12	13	24
Net periodic cost (benefit)	-7	'	-13	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1	1	1	1
Amortization of prior service credit	-5	-5	-9	-9
Curtailment gain	86	'	86	'
Net periodic cost (benefit)	($90)	($4)	($94)	($8)

Schedule_of_Other_Intangible_A

Schedule of Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	$335	$335	$664	$663
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	1	'	1	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	2	'	2	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	2	'	2	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	2	'	2	'
Hardy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	26	20	54	41
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Hardy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1	4	1	13
Amortization expense included in other operating expenses	$1	$2	$1	$5

Schedule_of_Other_Intangible_A1

Schedule of Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$76	$74
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	88	85
Accumulated Amortization	70	66
Total other intangible assets	164	159
Total intangible assets, accumulated amortization	70	66
Lloyds syndicate capacity [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	60	58
Agency Force [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	16	16
Value of business acquired [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	66	64
Accumulated Amortization	66	63
Trade name [Member]	'	'
Economic useful life measured in years	'8 years	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	8	8
Accumulated Amortization	2	2
Distribution channel [Member]	'	'
Economic useful life measured in years	'15 years	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	14	13
Accumulated Amortization	$2	$1
Minimum [Member] | Value of business acquired [Member]	'	'
Economic useful life measured in years	'1 year	'
Maximum [Member] | Value of business acquired [Member]	'	'
Economic useful life measured in years	'4 years	'

Commitments_Contingencies_and_1

Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Recorded liabilities related to indemnification agreements	$7
Property Lease Guarantee [Member]	'
Aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans	72
Indemnification Agreement [Member]	'
Aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans	$699

Business_Segments_Income_State

Business Segments (Income Statement Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	$1,811	$1,800	$3,617	$3,564
Net investment income	550	534	1,076	1,125
Other revenues	93	130	178	207
Total operating revenues	2,454	2,464	4,871	4,896
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	1,437	1,482	2,880	2,875
Policyholders' dividends	4	3	7	6
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	335	335	664	663
Other insurance related expenses	259	252	521	513
Other expenses	41	108	169	229
Total claims, benefits and expenses	2,076	2,180	4,241	4,286
Operating income (loss) before income tax	378	284	630	610
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	-106	-85	-168	-186
Net operating income (loss)	272	199	462	424
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	-14	-14	32	9
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	3	5	-13	-2
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-11	-9	19	7
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	261	190	481	431
CNA Specialty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	763	746	1,511	1,469
Net investment income	161	151	312	321
Other revenues	74	63	142	123
Total operating revenues	998	960	1,965	1,913
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	426	452	906	917
Policyholders' dividends	1	1	2	2
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	158	156	311	306
Other insurance related expenses	74	65	146	136
Other expenses	65	60	126	114
Total claims, benefits and expenses	724	734	1,491	1,475
Operating income (loss) before income tax	274	226	474	438
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	-92	-78	-158	-150
Net operating income (loss)	182	148	316	288
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	-5	-6	7	-3
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	2	2	-2	1
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-3	-4	5	-2
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	179	144	321	286
CNA Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	817	840	1,639	1,677
Net investment income	208	211	406	461
Other revenues	9	65	18	75
Total operating revenues	1,034	1,116	2,063	2,213
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	654	644	1,276	1,244
Policyholders' dividends	3	2	5	4
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	144	153	284	302
Other insurance related expenses	138	142	277	285
Other expenses	8	2	19	11
Total claims, benefits and expenses	947	943	1,861	1,846
Operating income (loss) before income tax	87	173	202	367
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	-28	-61	-65	-130
Net operating income (loss)	59	112	137	237
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	-7	-12	5	-8
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	1	4	-3	3
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-6	-8	2	-5
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	53	104	139	232
Hardy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	92	76	190	140
Net investment income	1	1	2	2
Other revenues	-1	-1	'	'
Total operating revenues	92	76	192	142
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	52	41	90	72
Policyholders' dividends	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	26	20	54	41
Other insurance related expenses	16	13	36	29
Other expenses	4	6	8	13
Total claims, benefits and expenses	98	80	188	155
Operating income (loss) before income tax	-6	-4	4	-13
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	1	2	-2	3
Net operating income (loss)	-5	-2	2	-10
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	-1	1	-1	2
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	'	-1	'	-1
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-1	'	-1	1
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	-6	-2	1	-9
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	139	138	278	279
Net investment income	173	163	344	325
Other revenues	8	2	13	5
Total operating revenues	320	303	635	609
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	304	347	610	640
Policyholders' dividends	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	7	6	15	14
Other insurance related expenses	31	32	63	64
Other expenses	-3	2	-2	7
Total claims, benefits and expenses	339	387	686	725
Operating income (loss) before income tax	-19	-84	-51	-116
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	28	43	58	69
Net operating income (loss)	9	-41	7	-47
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	-4	'	12	9
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	1	1	-5	-2
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-3	1	7	7
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	6	-40	14	-40
Corporate and Other Non-Core [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	7	8	12	16
Other revenues	5	2	7	5
Total operating revenues	12	10	19	21
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	1	-2	-2	2
Policyholders' dividends	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	'	'	'	'
Other insurance related expenses	'	'	'	'
Other expenses	-31	39	20	85
Total claims, benefits and expenses	-30	37	18	87
Operating income (loss) before income tax	42	-27	1	-66
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	-15	9	-1	22
Net operating income (loss)	27	-18	'	-44
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	3	3	9	9
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	-1	-1	-3	-3
Net realized investment gains (losses)	2	2	6	6
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	29	-16	6	-38
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	'	'	-1	-1
Net investment income	'	'	'	'
Other revenues	-2	-1	-2	-1
Total operating revenues	-2	-1	-3	-2
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Net incurred claims and benefits	'	'	'	'
Policyholders' dividends	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	'	'	'	'
Other insurance related expenses	'	'	-1	-1
Other expenses	-2	-1	-2	-1
Total claims, benefits and expenses	-2	-1	-3	-2
Operating income (loss) before income tax	'	'	'	'
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Net operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	'	'	'	'
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'

Business_Segments_Balance_Shee

Business Segments (Balance Sheet Information) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	$5,115	$6,088
Insurance receivables	2,215	2,063
Deferred acquisition costs	650	624
Goodwill	156	155
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	23,996	24,089
Unearned premiums	3,851	3,718
Future policy benefits	8,696	10,471
Policyholders’ funds	27	116
CNA Specialty [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	666	546
Insurance receivables	853	775
Deferred acquisition costs	323	318
Goodwill	117	117
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	6,939	6,689
Unearned premiums	1,857	1,805
Future policy benefits	'	'
Policyholders’ funds	9	9
CNA Commercial [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	1,032	1,075
Insurance receivables	1,137	1,099
Deferred acquisition costs	267	257
Goodwill	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	10,537	10,649
Unearned premiums	1,576	1,536
Future policy benefits	'	'
Policyholders’ funds	18	15
Hardy [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	146	197
Insurance receivables	214	176
Deferred acquisition costs	60	49
Goodwill	39	38
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	386	386
Unearned premiums	283	249
Future policy benefits	'	'
Policyholders’ funds	'	'
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	367	1,203
Insurance receivables	7	11
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'
Goodwill	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	3,092	3,058
Unearned premiums	136	128
Future policy benefits	8,696	10,471
Policyholders’ funds	'	92
Corporate and Other Non-Core [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	2,904	3,067
Insurance receivables	4	2
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'
Goodwill	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	3,042	3,307
Unearned premiums	'	'
Future policy benefits	'	'
Policyholders’ funds	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables	'	'
Insurance receivables	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'
Goodwill	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	'	'
Unearned premiums	-1	'
Future policy benefits	'	'
Policyholders’ funds	'	'

Business_Segments_Revenues_by_

Business Segments (Revenues by Line of Business) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues	$2,440	$2,450	$4,903	$4,905
CNA Specialty [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	993	954	1,972	1,910
International - Specialty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	62	59	126	118
Management & Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	710	687	1,414	1,387
Surety [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	125	123	247	239
Warranty & Alternative Risks [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	96	85	185	166
CNA Commercial [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,027	1,104	2,068	2,205
Commercial Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	755	827	1,517	1,653
International - Commercial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	91	90	186	183
Small Business [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	181	187	365	369
Hardy [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	91	77	191	144
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	316	303	647	618
Corporate and Other Non-Core [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	15	13	28	30
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	($2)	($1)	($3)	($2)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	$692	$727	$442	$831
Transfer to net assets held for sale	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	308	-610	584	-706
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38	-9	64	-1
Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax	270	-601	520	-705
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	962	126	962	126
Tax (expense) benefit on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-22	5	-35	2
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	-124	316	-263	341
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	33	34	26	20
Transfer to net assets held for sale	'	'	-5	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	2	-8	14	6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax	2	-8	14	6
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	35	26	35	26
Tax (expense) benefit on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	-1	4	-7	-3
Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	912	1,309	692	1,371
Transfer to net assets held for sale	'	'	-17	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	257	-589	521	-638
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-13	-4	14	9
Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax	270	-585	507	-647
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	1,182	724	1,182	724
Tax (expense) benefit on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	6	3	-8	-3
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	-146	314	-273	349
Net unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	30	'	'	'
Transfer to net assets held for sale	'	'	22	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	7	'	15	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax	7	'	15	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	37	'	37	'
Tax (expense) benefit on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	-5	'	-10	'
Pension and postretirement benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	-425	-716	-426	-721
Transfer to net assets held for sale	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	51	-5	50	-10
Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax	-51	5	-50	10
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-476	-711	-476	-711
Tax (expense) benefit on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-28	2	-27	5
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	28	-2	27	-5
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	142	100	150	161
Transfer to net assets held for sale	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	42	-13	34	-74
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax	42	-13	34	-74
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	184	87	184	87
Tax (expense) benefit on amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'

Assets_Liabilities_Held_for_Sa2

Assets & Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Income Statement Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	$39	$44	$80	$86
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1	'	2	5
Other revenues	'	-1	'	'
Total revenues	40	43	82	91
Claims, Benefits and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits	32	36	63	69
Other operating expenses	1	1	2	2
Total claims, benefits and expenses	33	37	65	71
Income before income tax	7	6	17	20
Income tax (expense) benefit	-1	-2	-4	-7
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax	6	4	13	13
Impairment loss on sale, net of income tax benefit of $41, -, $41 and -	'	'	-214	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	6	4	-201	13
Income tax benefit (expense) on impairment	$41	'	$41	'

Assets_Liabilities_Held_for_Sa3

Assets & Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	$2,752	'
Equity securities at fair value	17	'
Short term investments	67	'
Total investments	2,836	'
Cash	9	'
Reinsurance receivables	811	'
Other assets	46	'
Separate account business	146	'
Assets held for sale	3,848	'
Less: Impairment on sale	-255	'
Total assets held for sale	3,593	'
Liabilities	'	'
Insurance reserves	3,109	'
Other liabilities	88	'
Separate account business	146	'
Total liabilities held for sale	$3,343	'