CNA Financial (CNA) 10-K 17 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CNA FINANCIAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	21,175
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | shares	270,274,361
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float | $	$ 1,033

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Net earned premiums	$ 6,921		$ 7,212		$ 7,271
Net investment income	1,840		2,067		2,282
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(156)		(77)		(74)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in Other comprehensive income	0		0		(2)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	(156)		(77)		(76)
Other net realized investment gains (loss)	89		134		96
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(67)		57		20
Other revenues	407		356		359
Total revenues	9,101		9,692		9,932
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits	5,384		5,591		5,806
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,540		1,317		1,362
Other operating expenses	1,473		1,394		1,322
Interest	155		183		166
Total claims, benefits and expenses	8,552		8,485		8,656
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	549		1,207		1,276
Income tax expense (benefit)	(70)		(319)		(361)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	479		888		915
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit (expense)	0		(197)		22
Net income (loss)	$ 479	[1]	$ 691	[2]	$ 937
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to CNA
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 1.77		$ 3.29		$ 3.39
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	0		(0.73)		0.09
Basic earnings (loss) per share	1.77		2.56		3.48
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to CNA
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1.77		3.28		3.39
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	0		(0.73)		0.08
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	1.77		2.55		3.47
Dividends per share	$ 3		$ 2		$ 0.80
Weighted Average Outstanding Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents
Basic	270.2		269.9		269.7
Diluted	270.7		270.6		270.2
[1]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.
[2]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Consolidated Statements of Ope3

Consolidated Statements of Operations Parenthetical (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income tax benefit (expense) on discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 34	$ (15)

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 479	[1]	$ 691	[2]	$ 937
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Changes In:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with other-than-temporary impairments	(9)		15		6
Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments	(552)		267		(679)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(561)		282		(673)
Net unrealized losses on discontinued operations	0		(22)		0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(139)		(95)		(11)
Pension and postretirement benefits	(15)		(207)		295
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(715)		(42)		(389)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ (236)		$ 649		$ 548
[1]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.
[2]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost of $37,253 and $37,335)	$ 39,572	$ 40,768
Equity securities at fair value (cost of $191 and $210)	197	222
Limited partnership investments	2,548	2,937
Other invested assets	44	41
Mortgage loans	678	588
Short term investments	1,660	1,706
Total investments	44,699	46,262
Cash	387	190
Reinsurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $38 and $48)	4,453	4,694
Insurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $51 and $61)	2,078	1,936
Accrued investment income	404	405
Deferred acquisition costs	598	600
Deferred income taxes	638	191
Property and equipment at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $382 and $364)	343	295
Goodwill	150	152
Other assets	1,297	841
Total assets	55,047	55,566
Liabilities
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	22,663	23,271
Unearned premiums	3,671	3,592
Future policy benefits	10,152	9,490
Policyholders’ funds	0	27
Short term debt	350	0
Long term debt	2,212	2,559
Other liabilities (includes $82 and $153 due to Loews Corporation)	4,243	3,833
Total liabilities	43,291	42,772
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 270,274,361 and 269,980,202 shares outstanding)	683	683
Additional paid-in capital	2,153	2,151
Retained earnings	9,313	9,645
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(315)	400
Treasury stock (2,765,882 and 3,060,041 shares), at cost	(78)	(84)
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	0	(1)
Total stockholders’ equity	11,756	12,794
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 55,047	$ 55,566

Consolidated Balance Sheet Pare

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parentheticals (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturities securities at amortized cost	$ 37,253	$ 37,335
Equity securities at cost	191	210
Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables	38	48
Allowance for uncollectible insurance receivables	51	61
Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment	382	364
Due to Related Parties	$ 82	$ 153
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	270,274,361	269,980,202
Treasury stock, shares	2,765,882	3,060,041

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 479	[1]	$ 691	[2]	$ 937
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:
Loss on sale of subsidiaries	0		251		0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(150)		3		77
Trading portfolio activity	17		16		(10)
Net realized investment (gains) losses	67		(60)		(31)
Equity method investees	195		83		(323)
Amortization of investments	17		3		(24)
Depreciation and amortization	84		83		101
Changes in:
Receivables, net	82		731		44
Accrued investment income	(1)		0		(9)
Deferred acquisition costs	311		44		2
Insurance reserves	241		(363)		(68)
Other assets	(79)		(48)		(27)
Other liabilities	126		(48)		525
Other, net	(2)		54		10
Total adjustments	908		749		267
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities	1,387		1,440		1,204
Dispositions:
Fixed maturity securities - sales	4,390		4,914		6,869
Fixed maturity securities - maturities, calls and redemptions	4,095		3,983		3,271
Equity securities	57		31		103
Limited partnerships	174		167		108
Mortgage loans	26		57		22
Purchases:
Fixed maturity securities	(8,675)		(9,365)		(11,197)
Equity securities	(62)		(67)		(77)
Limited partnerships	(188)		(271)		(223)
Mortgage loans	(123)		(137)		(129)
Change in other investments	4		15		(22)
Change in short term investments	34		(388)		425
Purchases of property and equipment	(125)		(71)		(91)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries	0		198		0
Other dispositions	0		0		32
Other, net	21		16		11
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities	(372)		(918)		(898)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(811)		(541)		(216)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0		546		0
Repayment of debt	0		(549)		(13)
Other, net	4		25		(35)
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities	(807)		(519)		(264)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(11)		(8)		(3)
Net change in cash	197		(5)		39
Cash, beginning of year	190		195		156
Cash, end of year	$ 387		$ 190		$ 195
[1]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.
[2]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity $ in Millions	USD ($)
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 683
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	683
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012	2,146
Additional Paid-In Capital
Stock-based compensation	(1)
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	2,145
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012	8,774
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(216)
Net income (loss)	937
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	9,495
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	831
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(389)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	442
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012	(99)
Treasury Stock
Stock Based Compensation and Other	8
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	(91)
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012	(21)
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
(Decrease) increase in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock	(2)
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	(23)
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
Total stockholder's equty	12,651
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	683
Additional Paid-In Capital
Stock-based compensation	6
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	2,151
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(541)
Net income (loss)	691	[1]
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	9,645
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(42)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	400
Treasury Stock
Stock Based Compensation and Other	7
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	(84)
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
(Decrease) increase in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock	22
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	(1)
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
Total stockholder's equty	12,794
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	683
Additional Paid-In Capital
Stock-based compensation	2
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	2,153
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(811)
Net income (loss)	479	[2]
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	9,313
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(715)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	(315)
Treasury Stock
Stock Based Compensation and Other	6
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	(78)
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
(Decrease) increase in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock	1
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	0
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
Total stockholder's equty	$ 11,756
[1]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.
[2]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note A . Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements 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 December 31, 2015 . The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Intercompany amounts have been eliminated. The preparation of 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 Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Sale of Continental Assurance Company (CAC) On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the sale of the common stock of CAC. The business sold, which was previously reported within the Life & Group Non-Core segment, is reported as discontinued operations. The Company elected to include CAC cash flow activity in the comparative Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. Further information related to the sale of CAC is provided in Note P to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In connection with the sale of CAC, the Company entered into a 100% coinsurance agreement on a separate small block of annuity business outside of CAC. The coinsurance agreement required the transfer of assets with a book value equal to the ceded reserves on the inception date of the contract. Because a substantial portion of the assets supporting these liabilities are held in trust for the benefit of the original cedant, those assets were transferred on a funds withheld basis. Under this approach the Company maintains legal ownership of the assets, but the investment income and realized gains and losses on those assets inure to the reinsurer. As a result, the $34 million difference between market value and book value of the funds withheld assets at the coinsurance contract's inception was recognized as a loss in Other operating expenses in 2014 . The funds withheld aspect of the agreement is considered an embedded derivative. The embedded derivative is separately accounted for at fair value and reported with the host contract in Other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company recognizes Other operating expense equal to the Net investment income generated by these trust assets. Insurance Operations Premiums: Insurance premiums on property and casualty insurance contracts are recognized in proportion to the underlying risk insured which are principally earned ratably over the duration of the policies. Premiums on long term care contracts are earned ratably over the policy year in which they are due. The reserve for unearned premiums represents the portion of premiums written relating to the unexpired terms of coverage. Insurance receivables include balances due currently or in the future, including amounts due from insureds related to losses under high deductible policies, and are presented at unpaid balances, net of an allowance for uncollectible receivables. Amounts are considered past due based on policy payment terms. That allowance is determined based on periodic evaluations of aged receivables, management's experience and current economic conditions. Insurance receivables and any related allowance are written off after collection efforts are exhausted or a negotiated settlement is reached. Property and casualty contracts that are retrospectively rated contain provisions that result in an adjustment to the initial policy premium depending on the contract provisions and loss experience of the insured during the experience period. For such contracts, the Company estimates the amount of ultimate premiums that the Company may earn upon completion of the experience period and recognizes either an asset or a liability for the difference between the initial policy premium and the estimated ultimate premium. The Company adjusts such estimated ultimate premium amounts during the course of the experience period based on actual results to date. The resulting adjustment is recorded as either a reduction of or an increase to the earned premiums for the period. Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves: Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, except reserves for structured settlements not associated with asbestos and environmental pollution (A&EP), workers' compensation lifetime claims and accident and health claims, are not discounted and are based on 1) case basis estimates for losses reported on direct business, adjusted in the aggregate for ultimate loss expectations; 2) estimates of incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses; 3) estimates of losses on assumed reinsurance; 4) estimates of future expenses to be incurred in the settlement of claims; 5) estimates of salvage and subrogation recoveries and 6) estimates of amounts due from insureds related to losses under high deductible policies. Management considers current conditions and trends as well as past Company and industry experience in establishing these estimates. The effects of inflation, which can be significant, are implicitly considered in the reserving process and are part of the recorded reserve balance. Ceded claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are reported as a component of Reinsurance receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are presented net of anticipated amounts due from insureds related to losses under deductible policies of $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . A significant portion of these amounts are supported by collateral. The Company has an allowance for uncollectible deductible amounts, which is presented as a component of the allowance for doubtful accounts included in Insurance receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Structured settlements have been negotiated for certain property and casualty insurance claims. Structured settlements are agreements to provide fixed periodic payments to claimants. The Company's obligations for structured settlements not funded by annuities are included in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and carried at present values determined using interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 8.0% as of December 31, 2015 and as of 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the discounted reserves for unfunded structured settlements were $560 million and $582 million , net of discount of $880 million and $924 million . Workers' compensation lifetime claim reserves are calculated using mortality assumptions determined through statutory regulation and economic factors. Accident and health claim reserves are calculated using mortality and morbidity assumptions based on Company and industry experience. Workers' compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves are discounted at interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 6.8% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , such discounted reserves totaled $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion , net of discount of $653 million and $654 million . Future policy benefits reserves: Future policy benefits reserves represent the active life reserves related to the Company's long term care policies and are computed using the net level premium method, which incorporates actuarial assumptions as to morbidity, persistency, discount rate and expenses. Expense assumptions primarily relate to claim adjudication. Actuarial assumptions generally vary by plan, age at issue and policy duration. The initial assumptions are determined at issuance, include a margin for adverse deviation and are locked in throughout the life of the contract unless a premium deficiency develops. If a premium deficiency emerges, the assumptions are unlocked and deferred acquisition costs, if any, and the future policy benefits reserves are adjusted. The December 31, 2015 gross premium valuation indicated a premium deficiency of $296 million . The indicated premium deficiency necessitated a charge to income that was affected by the write off of the entire long term care deferred acquisition cost asset of $289 million and an increase to active life reserves of $7 million . As a result, the long term care active life reserves carried as of December 31, 2015 represent management’s best estimate assumptions at that date with no margin for adverse deviation. Interest rates for long term care products range from 6.6% to 7.0% as of December 31, 2015 and 4.5% to 7.9% as of December 31, 2014 . Guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments: Liabilities for guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments are accrued when an assessment is probable, when it can be reasonably estimated and when the event obligating the entity to pay an imposed or probable assessment has occurred. Liabilities for guaranty funds and other insurance-related assessments are not discounted and are included as part of Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the liability balances were $129 million and $131 million . Reinsurance: Reinsurance accounting allows for contractual cash flows to be reflected as premiums and losses. To qualify for reinsurance accounting, reinsurance agreements must include risk transfer. To meet risk transfer requirements, a reinsurance contract must include both insurance risk, consisting of underwriting and timing risk, and a reasonable possibility of a significant loss for the assuming entity. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses are presented at unpaid balances. Reinsurance receivables related to unpaid losses are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves. Reinsurance receivables are reported net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cost of reinsurance is primarily accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies or over the reinsurance contract period. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the primary liability of the Company. The Company has established an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables which relates to both amounts already billed on ceded paid losses as well as ceded reserves that will be billed when losses are paid in the future. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables is estimated on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, management's experience and current economic conditions. Reinsurer financial strength ratings are updated and reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if the Company becomes aware of significant changes related to a reinsurer. Because billed receivables generally approximate 4% or less of total reinsurance receivables, the age of the reinsurance receivables related to paid losses is not a significant input into the allowance analysis. Changes in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables are presented as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amounts are considered past due based on the reinsurance contract terms. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses and any related allowance are written off after collection efforts have been exhausted or a negotiated settlement is reached with the reinsurer. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses from insolvent insurers are written off when the settlement due from the estate can be reasonably estimated. At the time reinsurance receivables related to paid losses are written off, any required adjustment to reinsurance receivables related to unpaid losses is recorded as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Reinsurance contracts that do not effectively transfer the economic risk of loss on the underlying policies are recorded using the deposit method of accounting, which requires that premium paid or received by the ceding company or assuming company be accounted for as a deposit asset or liability. The Company had $3 million recorded as deposit assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and $8 million and $9 million recorded as deposit liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Income on reinsurance contracts accounted for under the deposit method is recognized using an effective yield based on the anticipated timing of payments and the remaining life of the contract. When the anticipated timing of payments changes, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and the estimated timing of future payments. The deposit asset or liability is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the inception of the contract. A loss portfolio transfer is a retroactive reinsurance contract. If the cumulative claim and allocated claim adjustment expenses ceded under a loss portfolio transfer exceed the consideration paid, the resulting gain from such excess is deferred and amortized into earnings in future periods in proportion to actual recoveries under the loss portfolio transfer. In the period in which an excess arises, a portion of the deferred gain is cumulatively recognized in earnings as if the revised estimate was available at the inception date of the loss portfolio transfer. Deferred acquisition costs: Deferrable acquisition costs include commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and policy issuance costs which are incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisitions. Deferred acquisition costs related to long term care contracts issued prior to January 1, 2004 include costs which vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of business. Acquisition costs related to property and casualty business are deferred and amortized ratably over the period the related premiums are earned. As noted under Future policy benefits reserves, all of the long term care deferred acquisition costs of $289 million were written off as of December 31, 2015 in recognition of a premium deficiency. Deferred acquisition costs related to long term care contracts are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used for computing future policy benefits reserves for such contracts. Assumptions are made at the date of policy issuance or acquisition and are consistently applied during the lives of the contracts. Deviations from estimated experience are included in results of operations when they occur. For these contracts, the amortization period is typically the estimated life of the policy. The Company evaluates deferred acquisition costs for recoverability. Anticipated investment income is considered in the determination of the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. Adjustments, if necessary, are recorded in current period results of operations. Deferred acquisition costs are presented net of ceding commissions and other ceded acquisition costs. Unamortized deferred acquisition costs relating to contracts that have been substantially changed by a modification in benefits, features, rights or coverages that were not anticipated in the original contract are not deferred and are included as a charge to operations in the period during which the contract modification occurred. Investments in life settlement contracts and related revenue recognition: Prior to 2002, the Company purchased investments in life settlement contracts. The Company obtained the ownership and beneficiary rights of an underlying life insurance policy through a life settlement contract with the owner of the life insurance contract. The Company accounts for its investments in life settlement contracts using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, each life settlement contract is carried at its fair value at the end of each reporting period. The change in fair value, life insurance proceeds received and periodic maintenance costs, such as premiums, necessary to keep the underlying policy in force, are recorded in Other revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the Company's investments in life settlement contracts were $74 million and $82 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cash receipts and payments related to life settlement contracts are included in Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The following table details the values for life settlement contracts. The determination of fair value is discussed in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements. December 31, 2015 Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value of Life Settlement Contracts (In millions) Face Amount of Life Insurance Policies (In millions) Estimated maturity during: 2016 60 $ 11 $ 35 2017 60 10 31 2018 50 8 27 2019 40 6 24 2020 40 5 21 Thereafter 300 34 167 Total 550 $ 74 $ 305 The Company uses an actuarial model to estimate the aggregate face amount of life insurance that is expected to mature in each future year and the corresponding fair value. This model projects the likelihood of the insured's death for each inforce policy based upon the Company's estimated mortality rates, which may vary due to the relatively small size of the portfolio of life settlement contracts. The number of life settlement contracts presented in the table above is based upon the average face amount of inforce policies estimated to mature in each future year. The increase (decrease) in fair value recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 on contracts still held at each respective period-end was $1 million , $8 million and $(2) million . The gains recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 on contracts that settled were $24 million , $25 million and $15 million . Investments The Company classifies its fixed maturity securities and its equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading, and as such, they are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are reported within Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Changes in fair value related to available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of Other comprehensive income. Losses may be recognized within Net realized investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when a decline in value is determined by the Company to be other-than-temporary. The cost of fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are included in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amortization of premium and accretion of discount for fixed maturity securities takes into consideration call and maturity dates that produce the lowest yield. This represents a change from prior reporting periods as previously the amortization of premiums was to maturity. This change in estimate effected by a change in accounting principle will result in a better reflection of the yield on fixed maturity securities with call provisions. This change, which was adopted in the fourth quarter of 2015 , decreased Net investment income and the amortized cost of fixed maturity securities by $ 39 million in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year-ended December 31, 2015 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 , respectively. This adjustment decreased Basic and Diluted earnings per share by $0.09 for the year ended December 31, 2015 . To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting long term care products and structured settlements not funded by annuities would result in a premium deficiency if those gains were 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 (Shadow Adjustments). Shadow Adjustments, net of tax, decreased $177 million and increased $756 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , net unrealized gains on investments included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) were correspondingly reduced by $1,111 million and $1,288 million . For asset-backed securities included in fixed maturity securities, the Company recognizes income using an effective yield based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. The amortized cost of high credit quality fixed rate securities is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the acquisition of the securities. Such adjustments are reflected in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income on lower rated and variable rate securities is determined using the prospective yield method. The Company's carrying value of investments in limited partnerships is its share of the net asset value of each partnership, as determined by the General Partner. Certain partnerships for which results are not available on a timely basis are reported on a lag, primarily three months or less. Changes in net asset values are accounted for under the equity method and recorded within Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Mortgage loans are commercial in nature, are carried at unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized fees and any valuation allowance, and are recorded once funded. Mortgage loans are considered to be impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest payments will not be collected. A valuation allowance is established for impaired loans to the extent that the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate is less than the carrying value of the loan. Interest income from mortgage loans is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective yield method. Accrual of income is generally suspended for mortgage loans that are impaired and collection of principal and interest payments is unlikely. Mortgage loans are considered past due when full principal or interest payments have not been received according to contractual terms. Other invested assets are carried at fair value and include overseas deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) stock and certain derivative securities. Overseas deposits are primarily short-term government securities, agency securities and corporate bonds held in trusts that are managed by Lloyd's of London. These funds are required of Lloyd's syndicates to protect policyholders in overseas markets and may be denominated in local currency. Short term investments are carried at fair value, with the exception of cash accounts earning interest, which are carried at cost and approximate fair value. Changes in fair value are reported as a component of Other comprehensive income. Purchases and sales of all securities are recorded on the trade date, except for private placement debt securities, including bank loan participations, which are recorded once funded. Realized investment gains and losses are determined on the basis of the cost or amortized cost of the specific securities sold. In the normal course of investing activities, the Company enters into relationships with variable interest entities (VIEs), primarily as a passive investor in certain limited partnerships and asset-backed securities issued by third-party VIEs. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, and therefore does not consolidate them. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE based on a qualitative assessment of the entity’s purpose, the nature of its operations, its capital structure, its contractual terms and the Company’s relative exposure to the related risks of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying values included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and any unfunded commitments. A security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses, otherwise defined as an unrealized loss. When a security is impaired, the impairment is evaluated to determine whether it is temporary or other-than-temporary. Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an OTTI loss has occurred for a security. The Company follows a consistent and systematic process for determining and recording an OTTI loss. The Company has established a committee responsible for the OTTI process referred to as the Impairment Committee. The Impairment Committee is responsible for evaluating all securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis. The Impairment Committee’s assessment of whether an OTTI loss has occurred incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information. Fixed maturity securities that the Company intends to sell, or it more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery of amortized cost, are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value of the security is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. The factors considered by the Impairment Committee include (a) the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer, (b) whether the debtor is current on interest and principal payments, (c) credit ratings of the securities and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook. The Company also considers results and analysis of cash flow modeling for asset-backed securities, and when appropriate, other fixed maturity securities. The focus of the analysis for asset-backed securities is on assessing the sufficiency and quality of underlying collateral and timing of cash flows based on scenario tests. If the present value of the modeled expected cash flows equals or exceeds the amortized cost of a security, no credit loss is judged to exist and the asset-backed security is deemed to be temporarily impaired. If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, the security is judged to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons and that shortfall, referred to as the credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The difference between the adjusted amortized cost basis and fair value, referred to as the non-credit component, is recognized as OTTI in Other comprehensive income. In subsequent reporting periods, a change in intent to sell or further credit impairment on a security whose fair value has not deteriorated will cause the non-credit component originally recorded as OTTI in Other comprehensive income to be recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The Company performs the discounted cash flow analysis using stressed scenarios to determine future expectations regarding recoverability. Significant assumptions enter into these cash flow projections including delinquency rates, probable risk of default, loss severity upon a default, over collateralization and interest coverage triggers and credit support from lower level tranches. The Company applies the same impairment model as described above for the majority of non-redeemable preferred stock securities on the basis that these securities possess characteristics similar to debt securities and that the issuers maintain their ability to pay dividends. For all other equity securities, in determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Impairment Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (b) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (c) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook. Income Taxes The Company and its eligible subsidiaries (CNA Tax Group) are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Loews and its eligible subsidiaries. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax rates and other provisions of the tax law. The effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period in which such change is enacted. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized. Pension and Postretirement Benefits The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit plans in Other assets or Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in funded status related to prior service costs and credits and actuarial gains and losses are recognized in the year in which the changes occur through Other comprehensive income. Annual service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs and credits and amortization of actuarial gains and losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The vested benefit obligation for the CNA Retirement Plan is determined based on eligible compensation and accrued service for previously entitled employees. Effective June 30, 2015 the future benefit accruals under the CNA Retirement Plan were eliminated and the benefit obligations were frozen. Stock-Based Compensation The Company records compensation expense using the fair value method for all awards it grants, modifies or cancels primarily on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, generally three to four years. Foreign Currency Foreign currency translation gains and losses are reflected in Stockholders' equity as a component of AOCI. The Company's foreign subsidiaries' balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each reporting date and income statement accounts are either translated at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction or at the average exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) of $(11) million , $(25) million and $2 million were included in determining Net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the various classes of property and equipment and is determined principally on the straight-line method. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over seven years. Office equipment is depreciated over five years. The estimated lives for data processing equipment and software generally range from three to five years, but can be as long as ten years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the corresponding lease terms not to exceed the underlying asset life. The Company's owned building and related capital improvements are depreciated over periods not to exceed fifty years. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of acquired entities and businesses. Goodwill in the International segment may change from period to period as a result of foreign currency translation. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when certain triggering events require such tests. As a result of reviews completed for the year ended December 31, 2

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Note B . Investments The significant components of Net investment income are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Fixed maturity securities $ 1,751 $ 1,803 $ 1,827 Equity securities 12 12 12 Limited partnership investments 92 263 451 Mortgage loans 33 31 23 Short term investments 6 3 3 Trading portfolio 8 10 17 Other 1 3 2 Gross investment income 1,903 2,125 2,335 Investment expense (63 ) (58 ) (53 ) Net investment income $ 1,840 $ 2,067 $ 2,282 As of December 31, 2015 , the Company held $54 million of non-income producing fixed maturity securities. As of December 31, 2014 , the Company held no non-income producing fixed maturity securities. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , no investments in a single issuer exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity, other than investments in securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises. Net realized investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Net realized investment gains (losses): Fixed maturity securities: Gross realized gains $ 131 $ 170 $ 185 Gross realized losses (197 ) (129 ) (144 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities (66 ) 41 41 Equity securities: Gross realized gains 2 8 13 Gross realized losses (25 ) (7 ) (35 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities (23 ) 1 (22 ) Derivatives 10 (1 ) (9 ) Short term investments and other 12 16 10 Net realized investment gains (losses) $ (67 ) $ 57 $ 20 Net change in unrealized gains on investments is presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Net change in unrealized gains on investments: Fixed maturity securities $ (1,114 ) $ 1,511 $ (2,541 ) Equity securities (6 ) 6 (15 ) Other 1 — — Total net change in unrealized gains on investments $ (1,119 ) $ 1,517 $ (2,556 ) The components of OTTI losses recognized in earnings by asset type are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 104 $ 18 $ 20 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 18 46 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 8 5 19 Other asset-backed 1 1 2 Total asset-backed 9 6 21 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 131 70 41 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stock 25 7 8 Preferred stock — — 26 Total equity securities available-for-sale 25 7 34 Short term investments — — 1 OTTI losses recognized in earnings $ 156 $ 77 $ 76 The following tables present a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities. December 31, 2015 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains) (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 17,080 $ 1,019 $ 342 $ 17,757 $ — States, municipalities and political subdivisions 11,729 1,453 8 13,174 (4 ) Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 4,935 154 17 5,072 (37 ) Commercial mortgage-backed 2,154 55 12 2,197 — Other asset-backed 923 6 8 921 — Total asset-backed 8,012 215 37 8,190 (37 ) U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 62 5 — 67 — Foreign government 334 13 1 346 — Redeemable preferred stock 33 2 — 35 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 37,250 2,707 388 39,569 $ (41 ) Total fixed maturity securities trading 3 3 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stock 46 3 1 48 Preferred stock 145 7 3 149 Total equity securities available-for-sale 191 10 4 197 Total $ 37,444 $ 2,717 $ 392 $ 39,769 December 31, 2014 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains) (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 17,210 $ 1,721 $ 61 $ 18,870 $ — States, municipalities and political subdivisions 11,285 1,463 8 12,740 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 5,028 218 13 5,233 (53 ) Commercial mortgage-backed 2,056 93 5 2,144 (2 ) Other asset-backed 1,234 11 10 1,235 — Total asset-backed 8,318 322 28 8,612 (55 ) U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 26 5 — 31 — Foreign government 438 16 — 454 — Redeemable preferred stock 39 3 — 42 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 37,316 3,530 97 40,749 $ (55 ) Total fixed maturity securities trading 19 19 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stock 38 9 — 47 Preferred stock 172 5 2 175 Total equity securities available-for-sale 210 14 2 222 Total $ 37,545 $ 3,544 $ 99 $ 40,990 The following tables present the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of 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. Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 4,882 $ 302 $ 162 $ 40 $ 5,044 $ 342 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 338 8 75 — 413 8 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 963 9 164 8 1,127 17 Commercial mortgage-backed 652 10 96 2 748 12 Other asset-backed 552 8 5 — 557 8 Total asset-backed 2,167 27 265 10 2,432 37 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 4 — — — 4 — Foreign government 54 1 — — 54 1 Redeemable preferred stock 3 — — — 3 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 7,448 338 502 50 7,950 388 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common Stock 3 1 — — 3 1 Preferred stock 13 3 — — 13 3 Total equity securities available-for-sale 16 4 — — 16 4 Total $ 7,464 $ 342 $ 502 $ 50 $ 7,966 $ 392 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 1,330 $ 46 $ 277 $ 15 $ 1,607 $ 61 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 335 5 127 3 462 8 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 293 5 189 8 482 13 Commercial mortgage-backed 264 2 99 3 363 5 Other asset-backed 607 10 7 — 614 10 Total asset-backed 1,164 17 295 11 1,459 28 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 3 — 4 — 7 — Foreign government 3 — 3 — 6 — Redeemable preferred stock 3 — — — 3 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 2,838 68 706 29 3,544 97 Equity securities available-for-sale: Preferred stock 17 2 1 — 18 2 Total $ 2,855 $ 70 $ 707 $ 29 $ 3,562 $ 99 Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the December 31, 2015 Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position table above, are not indicative of the ultimate collectibility of the current amortized cost of the securities, but rather are attributable to changes in interest rates, credit spreads and other factors, including volatility in the energy and metals and mining sectors due to declines in the price of oil and other commodities. As of December 31, 2015, the Company held fixed maturity securities and equity securities with an estimated fair value of $2,533 million and a cost or amortized cost of $2,658 million in the energy and metals and mining sectors. The portion of these securities in a gross unrealized loss position had an estimated fair value of $1,340 million and a cost or amortized cost of $1,554 million. 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 as of December 31, 2015 . The following table presents the activity related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities $ 62 $ 74 $ 95 Additional credit losses for securities for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized — — 2 Reductions for securities sold during the period (9 ) (9 ) (23 ) 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 $ 53 $ 62 $ 74 Contractual Maturity The following table presents available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity. December 31 2015 2014 (In millions) Cost or Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Cost or Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 1,574 $ 1,595 $ 2,479 $ 2,511 Due after one year through five years 7,721 8,070 9,054 9,605 Due after five years through ten years 14,652 14,915 12,055 12,584 Due after ten years 13,303 14,989 13,728 16,049 Total $ 37,250 $ 39,569 $ 37,316 $ 40,749 Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life. Limited Partnerships The carrying value of limited partnerships as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $2,548 million and $2,937 million , which includes undistributed earnings of $687 million and $1,040 million . Limited partnerships comprising 63% of the total carrying value are reported on a current basis through December 31, 2015 with no reporting lag, 16% are reported on a one month lag and the remainder are reported on more than a one month lag. The number of limited partnerships held and the strategies employed provide diversification to the limited partnership portfolio and the overall invested asset portfolio. Limited partnerships comprising 70% and 73% of the carrying value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 employ hedge fund strategies that generate returns through investing in marketable securities in the public fixed income and equity markets. Limited partnerships comprising 26% and 23% of the carrying value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were invested in private debt and equity, and the remaining limited partnerships were primarily invested in real estate strategies. Hedge fund strategies include both long and short positions in fixed income, equity and derivative instruments. These hedge fund strategies may seek to generate gains from mispriced or undervalued securities, price differentials between securities, distressed investments, sector rotation or various arbitrage disciplines. Within hedge fund strategies, approximately 54% were equity related, 28% pursued a multi-strategy approach, 16% were focused on distressed investments and 2% were fixed income related as of December 31, 2015 . The ten largest limited partnership positions held totaled $1,221 million and $1,492 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Based on the most recent information available regarding the Company’s percentage ownership of the individual limited partnerships, the carrying value reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents approximately 3% and 4% of the aggregate partnership equity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and the related income reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations represents approximately 3% , 4% and 4% of the changes in total partnership equity for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . While the Company generally does not invest in highly leveraged partnerships, there are risks which may result in losses due to short-selling, derivatives or other speculative investment practices. The use of leverage increases volatility generated by the underlying investment strategies. The Company’s limited partnership investments contain withdrawal provisions that generally limit liquidity for a period of thirty days up to one year and in some cases do not permit withdrawals until the termination of the partnership. Typically, withdrawals require advance written notice of up to 90 days. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company may use derivatives in the normal course of business, primarily in an attempt to reduce its exposure to market risk (principally interest rate risk, credit risk, equity price risk and foreign currency risk) stemming from various assets and liabilities. The Company's principal objective under such strategies is to achieve the desired reduction in economic risk, even if the position does not receive hedge accounting treatment. The Company may enter into interest rate swaps, futures and forward commitments to purchase securities to manage interest rate risk. The Company may use foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency risk. Credit exposure associated with non-performance by the counterparties to derivative instruments is generally limited to the uncollateralized fair value of the asset related to the instruments recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company generally requires that all over-the-counter derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreement, and exchanges collateral under the terms of these agreements with its derivative investment counterparties depending on the amount of the exposure and the credit rating of the counterparty. Gross estimated fair values of derivative positions are presented in Other invested assets and Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company does not offset derivative positions against the fair value of collateral provided or positions subject to netting arrangements. There would be no significant difference in the balance included in such accounts if the estimated fair values were presented net for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . There was no cash collateral provided by the Company as of December 31, 2015 or 2014 . There was no cash collateral received from counterparties held as of December 31, 2015 or 2014 . The following tables present the aggregate contractual or notional amount and estimated fair value related to derivative financial instruments. December 31, 2015 Contractual/ Notional Amount Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Asset Liability Without hedge designation Equity warrants $ 5 $ — $ — Embedded derivative on funds withheld liability 179 — (5 ) Total $ — $ (5 ) December 31, 2014 Contractual/ Notional Amount Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Asset Liability Without hedge designation Currency forwards $ 9 $ — $ — Equity warrants 5 — — Embedded derivative on funds withheld liability 184 — 3 Total $ — $ 3 For further discussion of the embedded derivative on funds withheld liability, see Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Commercial Mortgage Loans Risks related to the recoverability of loan balances include declines in the estimated cash flows from underlying property leases, fair value of collateral and creditworthiness of tenants of credit tenant loan properties, where lease payments directly service the loan. The Company evaluates loans for impairment on a specific loan basis and identifies loans for evaluation of impairment based on the collection experience of each loan and other credit quality indicators such as debt service coverage ratio and the creditworthiness of the borrower or tenants of credit tenant loan properties. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , there were no loans past due or in non-accrual status, and no valuation allowance was recorded. Investment Commitments As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had committed approximately $398 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had mortgage loan commitments of $12 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 December 31, 2015 , the Company had commitments to purchase or fund additional amounts of $138 million and sell $67 million under the terms of such securities. Investments on Deposit Securities with carrying values of approximately $2.8 billion and $3.0 billion were deposited by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries under requirements of regulatory authorities and others as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Cash and securities with carrying values of approximately $364 million and $361 million were deposited with financial institutions as collateral for letters of credit as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . In addition, cash and securities were deposited in trusts with financial institutions to secure reinsurance and other obligations with various third parties. The carrying values of these deposits were approximately $263 million and $302 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 .

Fair Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Note C . 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 methodology 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 a methodology 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 period-over-period changes in price 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 basis are presented in the following tables. December 31, 2015 Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ — $ 17,592 $ 168 $ 17,760 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 13,172 2 13,174 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 4,938 134 5,072 Commercial mortgage-backed — 2,175 22 2,197 Other asset-backed — 868 53 921 Total asset-backed — 7,981 209 8,190 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 66 1 — 67 Foreign government — 346 — 346 Redeemable preferred stock 35 — — 35 Total fixed maturity securities 101 39,092 379 39,572 Equity securities 177 — 20 197 Other invested assets — 44 — 44 Short term investments 448 1,134 — 1,582 Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets — — 74 74 Total assets $ 726 $ 40,270 $ 473 $ 41,469 Liabilities Other liabilities $ — $ (5 ) $ — $ (5 ) Total liabilities $ — $ (5 ) $ — $ (5 ) December 31, 2014 Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 32 $ 18,695 $ 162 $ 18,889 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 12,646 94 12,740 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 5,044 189 5,233 Commercial mortgage-backed — 2,061 83 2,144 Other asset-backed — 580 655 1,235 Total asset-backed — 7,685 927 8,612 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 28 3 — 31 Foreign government 41 413 — 454 Redeemable preferred stock 30 12 — 42 Total fixed maturity securities 131 39,454 1,183 40,768 Equity securities 145 61 16 222 Other invested assets — 41 — 41 Short term investments 681 963 — 1,644 Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets — — 82 82 Total assets $ 957 $ 40,519 $ 1,281 $ 42,757 Liabilities Other liabilities $ — $ 3 $ — $ 3 Total liabilities $ — $ 3 $ — $ 3 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). Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2015 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 Balance as of December 31, 2015 Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2015 recognized in net income (loss) Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 162 $ (2 ) $ (3 ) $ 65 $ (13 ) $ (35 ) $ 40 $ (46 ) $ 168 $ (2 ) States, municipalities and political subdivisions 94 1 — — — (10 ) — (83 ) 2 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 189 5 (3 ) 81 — (35 ) 14 (117 ) 134 — Commercial mortgage-backed 83 7 (4 ) 23 — (17 ) 17 (87 ) 22 — Other asset-backed 655 3 3 130 (263 ) (52 ) 7 (430 ) 53 — Total asset-backed 927 15 (4 ) 234 (263 ) (104 ) 38 (634 ) 209 — Total fixed maturity securities 1,183 14 (7 ) 299 (276 ) (149 ) 78 (763 ) 379 (2 ) Equity securities 16 — (1 ) 4 — — 1 — 20 — Life settlement contracts 82 25 — — — (33 ) — — 74 1 Total $ 1,281 $ 39 $ (8 ) $ 303 $ (276 ) $ (182 ) $ 79 $ (763 ) $ 473 $ (1 ) Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2014 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 Balance as of December 31, 2014 Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2014 recognized in net income (loss) Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 204 $ 2 $ (1 ) $ 33 $ (23 ) $ (16 ) $ 18 $ (55 ) $ 162 $ — States, municipalities and political subdivisions 71 1 4 14 (10 ) — 14 — 94 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 331 (21 ) 61 94 (174 ) (72 ) 32 (62 ) 189 — Commercial mortgage-backed 151 7 (6 ) 28 (60 ) (29 ) 43 (51 ) 83 — Other asset-backed 446 2 (6 ) 488 (111 ) (117 ) — (47 ) 655 (1 ) Total asset-backed 928 (12 ) 49 610 (345 ) (218 ) 75 (160 ) 927 (1 ) Total fixed maturity securities 1,203 (9 ) 52 657 (378 ) (234 ) 107 (215 ) 1,183 (1 ) Equity securities 11 3 (6 ) 16 (8 ) — — — 16 — Life settlement contracts 88 33 — — — (39 ) — — 82 8 Separate account business 1 — — — — — — (1 ) — — Total $ 1,303 $ 27 $ 46 $ 673 $ (386 ) $ (273 ) $ 107 $ (216 ) $ 1,281 $ 7 Net realized and unrealized gains and losses, including those shown above, are reported in Net income (loss) as follows: Major Category of Assets and Liabilities 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 Other liabilities - Derivative financial instruments Net realized investment gains (losses) Securities shown on the previous page 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 year ended December 31, 2015 there were $63 million of transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 and $52 million from Level 1 to Level 2. There were $24 million of transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 and $1 million from Level 1 to Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014 . 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 Level 1 securities include highly liquid and exchange traded 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. All classes of Level 2 fixed maturity securities are valued using a methodology based on information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets, a discounted cash flow methodology, or a combination of both when necessary. Common inputs for all classes of fixed maturity securities include prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities, marketplace 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. Fixed maturity securities are primarily 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 and other pricing models utilizing market observable inputs. Level 3 securities are primarily priced using broker/dealer quotes and internal models with inputs that are not market observable. Derivative Financial Investments Level 2 securities primarily include the embedded derivative on funds withheld liability and currency forwards. The embedded derivative on funds withheld liability is valued using the change in fair value of the assets supporting the funds withheld liability, which are fixed maturity securities valued with observable inputs. Currency forwards are valued using observable market forward rates. Overseas Deposits Overseas deposits, which can be redeemed at net asset value in 90 days or less, are classified as Level 2. Short Term Investments Securities that are actively traded or 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 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. Significant Unobservable Inputs The following tables present 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 tables 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. December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input(s) Range (Weighted Average) Fixed maturity securities $ 138 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 3% - 184% (6%) Life settlement contracts 74 Discounted cash flow Discount rate risk premium 9% Mortality assumption 55% - 1676% (164%) December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input(s) Range (Weighted Average) Fixed maturity securities $ 101 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 2% - 13% (3%) Equity securities 16 Market approach Private offering price $12 - $4,391 per share ($600) Life settlement contracts 82 Discounted cash flow Discount rate risk premium 9% Mortality assumption 55% - 1676% (163%) For fixed maturity securities, an increase to the credit spread assumptions would result in a lower fair value measurement. For equity securities, an increase in the private offering price 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 assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are presented in the following tables. December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Mortgage loans $ 678 $ — $ — $ 688 $ 688 Liabilities Short term debt $ 350 $ — $ 360 $ — $ 360 Long term debt 2,212 — 2,433 — 2,433 December 31, 2014 Carrying Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock $ 1 $ — $ — $ 1 $ 1 Mortgage loans 588 — — 608 608 Liabilities Long term debt $ 2,559 $ — $ 2,883 $ — $ 2,883 The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities. 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. 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 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.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note D . Income Taxes The CNA Tax Group is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Loews and its eligible subsidiaries. Loews and the Company have agreed that for each taxable year, the Company will 1) be paid by Loews the amount, if any, by which the Loews consolidated federal income tax liability is reduced by virtue of the inclusion of the CNA Tax Group in the Loews consolidated federal income tax return, or 2) pay to Loews an amount, if any, equal to the federal income tax that would have been payable by the CNA Tax Group filing a separate consolidated tax return. In the event that Loews should have a net operating loss in the future computed on the basis of filing a separate consolidated tax return without the CNA Tax Group, the Company may be required to repay tax recoveries previously received from Loews. This agreement may be canceled by either party upon 30 days written notice. For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , the Company paid $256 million , $287 million and $89 million to Loews related to federal income taxes. For 2013 through 2015 , the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has accepted Loews and the Company into the Compliance Assurance Process (CAP), which is a voluntary program for large corporations. Under CAP, the IRS conducts a real-time audit and works contemporaneously with the Company to resolve any issues prior to the filing of the tax return. The Company believes that this approach should reduce tax-related uncertainties, if any. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , there were no unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to: 1) unrecognized tax benefits in Interest expense and 2) tax refund claims in Other revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes penalties (if any) in Income tax (expense) benefit on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2015 , 2014 and 2013 the Company recognized no interest and no penalties. There were no amounts accrued for interest or penalties as of December 31, 2015 or 2014 . The following table presents a reconciliation between the Company's federal income tax expense at statutory rates and the recorded income tax expense, excluding discontinued operations. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Income tax expense at statutory rates $ (192 ) $ (423 ) $ (447 ) Tax benefit from tax exempt income 123 119 97 Foreign taxes and credits 9 (6 ) (1 ) Other tax expense (10 ) (9 ) (10 ) Income tax expense $ (70 ) $ (319 ) $ (361 ) Provision has not been made for the investment in certain subsidiaries for which the Company intends to invest the undistributed earnings indefinitely. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company has not provided deferred taxes of $1 million on $3 million of undistributed earnings related to a foreign subsidiary. The following table presents the current and deferred components of the Company's income tax expense, excluding discontinued operations. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Current tax expense $ (220 ) $ (318 ) $ (292 ) Deferred tax benefit (expense) 150 (1 ) (69 ) Total income tax expense $ (70 ) $ (319 ) $ (361 ) Total income tax presented above includes foreign tax expense of approximately $14 million , $24 million and $24 million related to income from continuing foreign operations of approximately $71 million , $66 million and $101 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . The deferred tax effects of the significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented in the following table. December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 Deferred Tax Assets: Insurance reserves: Property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves $ 178 $ 265 Unearned premium reserves 230 187 Receivables 29 35 Employee benefits 281 289 Life settlement contracts 48 46 Deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit 84 61 Investment valuation differences 29 — Other assets 142 138 Gross deferred tax assets 1,021 1,021 Deferred Tax Liabilities: Investment valuation differences — 50 Deferred acquisition costs 117 226 Net unrealized gains 202 489 Other liabilities 64 65 Gross deferred tax liabilities 383 830 Net deferred tax asset $ 638 $ 191 As of December 31, 2015 , the CNA Tax Group had no loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards. Although realization of deferred tax assets is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recognized net deferred tax asset will be realized through recoupment of ordinary and capital taxes paid in prior carryback years and through future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. As a result, no valuation allowance was recorded as of December 31, 2015 or 2014 .

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expe

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	Note E . 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 $141 million , $156 million and $169 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Catastrophe losses in 2015 related primarily to U.S. weather-related events. The following table presents a reconciliation between beginning and ending claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves of the Life & Group Non-Core segment. As of or for the years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Reserves, beginning of year: Gross $ 23,271 $ 24,089 $ 24,763 Ceded 4,344 4,972 5,126 Net reserves, beginning of year 18,927 19,117 19,637 Change in net reserves due to acquisition (disposition) of subsidiaries — (13 ) — Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses: Provision for insured events of current year 4,934 5,043 5,114 Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years (255 ) (36 ) (115 ) Amortization of discount 166 161 154 Total net incurred (a) 4,845 5,168 5,153 Net payments attributable to: Current year events (856 ) (945 ) (981 ) Prior year events (4,089 ) (4,355 ) (4,588 ) Total net payments (4,945 ) (5,300 ) (5,569 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment and other (251 ) (45 ) (104 ) Net reserves, end of year 18,576 18,927 19,117 Ceded reserves, end of year 4,087 4,344 4,972 Gross reserves, end of year $ 22,663 $ 23,271 $ 24,089 (a) Total net incurred above does not agree to Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits as reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to amounts related to retroactive reinsurance deferred gain accounting, uncollectible reinsurance and loss deductible receivables, and benefit expenses related to future policy benefits and policyholders' funds, which are not reflected in the table above. The following tables present the gross and net carried reserves. December 31, 2015 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core Total (In millions) Gross Case Reserves $ 2,011 $ 4,975 $ 622 $ 2,973 $ 1,521 $ 12,102 Gross IBNR Reserves 4,258 4,208 725 247 1,123 10,561 Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 6,269 $ 9,183 $ 1,347 $ 3,220 $ 2,644 $ 22,663 Net Case Reserves $ 1,810 $ 4,651 $ 531 $ 2,714 $ 130 $ 9,836 Net IBNR Reserves 3,758 3,925 688 216 153 8,740 Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 5,568 $ 8,576 $ 1,219 $ 2,930 $ 283 $ 18,576 December 31, 2014 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core Total (In millions) Gross Case Reserves $ 2,136 $ 5,298 $ 752 $ 2,881 $ 1,189 $ 12,256 Gross IBNR Reserves 4,093 4,216 689 302 1,715 11,015 Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 6,229 $ 9,514 $ 1,441 $ 3,183 $ 2,904 $ 23,271 Net Case Reserves $ 1,929 $ 4,947 $ 598 $ 2,572 $ 144 $ 10,190 Net IBNR Reserves 3,726 3,906 663 271 171 8,737 Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 5,655 $ 8,853 $ 1,261 $ 2,843 $ 315 $ 18,927 Net Prior Year Development Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. The following tables and discussion present the net prior year development recorded for Specialty, Commercial, International and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. Year ended December 31, 2015 (In millions) Specialty Commercial International Corporate & Other Non-Core Total Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development $ (141 ) $ (15 ) $ (54 ) $ — $ (210 ) Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development (11 ) (15 ) 18 — (8 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development $ (152 ) $ (30 ) $ (36 ) $ — $ (218 ) Year ended December 31, 2014 (In millions) Specialty Commercial International Corporate & Other Non-Core Total Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development $ (136 ) $ 176 $ (59 ) $ (2 ) $ (21 ) Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development (13 ) (20 ) 2 (1 ) (32 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development $ (149 ) $ 156 $ (57 ) $ (3 ) $ (53 ) Year ended December 31, 2013 (In millions) Specialty Commercial International Corporate & Other Non-Core Total Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development $ (196 ) $ 122 $ (38 ) $ (6 ) $ (118 ) Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development (14 ) (8 ) (21 ) 1 (42 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development $ (210 ) $ 114 $ (59 ) $ (5 ) $ (160 ) Favorable net prior year development of $50 million , $14 million and $9 million was recorded in the Life & Group Non-Core segment for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . The favorable net prior year development for the year ended December 31, 2015 was driven by favorable claim severity. Premium development can occur in the property and casualty business when there is a change in exposure on auditable policies or when premium accruals differ from processed premium. Audits on policies usually occur in a period after the expiration date of the policy. For the year ended December 31, 2013, favorable premium development for International was recorded related to a commutation as discussed later in this note. Specialty The following table presents further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development (development) recorded for the Specialty segment. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pretax (favorable) unfavorable development: Medical Professional Liability $ (43 ) $ 39 $ (27 ) Other Professional Liability and Management Liability — (87 ) (73 ) Surety (69 ) (82 ) (74 ) Warranty (2 ) (2 ) (3 ) Other (27 ) (4 ) (19 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development $ (141 ) $ (136 ) $ (196 ) 2015 Overall, favorable development for medical professional liability was related to lower than expected severity in accident years 2012 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded related to increased claim frequency and severity in the aging services business in accident years 2013 and 2014. Favorable development in other professional liability and management liability related to better than expected large loss emergence in financial institutions primarily in accident years 2011 through 2014. Additional favorable development related to lower than expected severity for professional services in accident years 2011 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded related to increased frequency of large claims on public company management liability in accident years 2012 through 2014. Favorable development for surety coverages was primarily due to lower than expected frequency of large losses in accident years 2013 and prior. Favorable development for other coverages was due to better than expected claim frequency in property coverages provided to Specialty customers in accident year 2014. 2014 Unfavorable development for medical professional liability was primarily related to increased frequency of large medical products liability class action lawsuits in accident years 2012 and prior and increased frequency of other large medical professional liability losses in accident years 2011 through 2013. Overall, favorable development for other professional liability and management liability was related to better than expected severity in accident years 2008 through 2011, including favorable outcomes on individual large claims. Additional favorable development related to lower than expected frequency in accident years 2011 through 2013. Unfavorable development was recorded due to higher than expected severity in financial institution and professional service coverages in accident years 2009 through 2011. Favorable development for surety coverages was primarily due to better than expected large loss emergence in accident years 2012 and prior. 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 2010 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded in accident year 2011 related to an increase in severity in management liability. Favorable development for surety coverages was primarily due to better than expected large loss emergence in accident years 2011 and prior. Other includes standard property and casualty coverages provided to Specialty customers. Favorable development for other coverages was primarily due to better than expected loss emergence in property coverages primarily in accident years 2010 and subsequent. Commercial The following table presents further detail of the development recorded for the Commercial segment. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pretax (favorable) unfavorable development: Commercial Auto $ (22 ) $ 31 $ 18 General Liability (33 ) 45 64 Workers' Compensation 80 139 91 Property and Other (40 ) (39 ) (51 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development $ (15 ) $ 176 $ 122 2015 Favorable development for commercial auto was primarily due to lower than expected severity in accident years 2009 through 2014. Favorable development for general liability was primarily due to favorable settlements on claims in accident years 2010 through 2013. Unfavorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily due to higher than expected severity related to Defense Base Act contractors in accident years 2008 through 2014. Favorable development for property and other was primarily due to better than expected claim emergence from 2012 and 2014 catastrophe events and better than expected frequency of large claims in accident year 2014. The year ended December 31, 2015 also included unfavorable loss development related to extra contractual obligation losses and losses associated with premium development. 2014 Unfavorable development for commercial auto was primarily related to higher than expected frequency in accident years 2012 and 2013 and higher than expected severity for liability coverages in accident years 2010 through 2013. Favorable development was recorded related to fewer large claims than expected in accident years 2008 and 2009. Overall, unfavorable development for general liability was primarily related to higher than expected severity in accident years 2010 through 2013. Favorable development was recorded primarily related to lower than expected frequency of large losses in accident years 2005 through 2009. Overall, unfavorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily due to increased medical severity in accident years 2010 and prior, higher than expected severity related to Defense Base Act (DBA) contractors in accident years 2010 through 2013 and the recognition of losses related to favorable premium development in accident year 2013. Favorable development of $26 million was recorded in accident years 1996 and prior related to the commutation of a workers’ compensation reinsurance pool. Favorable development for property and other first-party coverages was recorded in accident years 2013 and prior, primarily related to fewer claims than expected and favorable individual claim settlements. 2013 Unfavorable development for commercial auto coverages was primarily due to higher than expected frequency in accident years 2011 and 2012 and large loss emergence in accident years 2009 and 2010. 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 includes the Company's 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. Additional unfavorable development was recorded in accident year 2012 related to increased frequency and severity on claims related to DBA contractors and in accident year 2010 due to higher than expected large losses and increased severity in the state of California. Favorable development for property and other coverages was primarily related to favorable outcomes on litigated catastrophe claims in accident years 2005 and 2010 as well as favorable loss emergence in non-catastrophe losses in accident years 2010 through 2012. International The following table presents further detail of the development recorded for the International segment. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pretax (favorable) unfavorable development: Medical Professional Liability $ (9 ) $ (7 ) $ (7 ) Other Professional Liability (16 ) (26 ) (30 ) Liability (17 ) (13 ) (8 ) Property & Marine (29 ) (14 ) 13 Other 17 (9 ) (17 ) Commutations — 10 11 Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development $ (54 ) $ (59 ) $ (38 ) 2015 Favorable development in medical professional liability was due to better than expected frequency of losses in accident years 2011 to 2013. Favorable development in other professional liability was due to better than expected large loss emergence in accident years 2011 and prior. Favorable development in liability was due to better than expected large loss emergence in accident years 2012 and prior. Favorable development in property and marine was due to better than expected individual large loss emergence and favorable settlements on large claims in accident years 2013 and 2014. Unfavorable development in other is due to higher than expected large losses in financial institutions and political risk, primarily in accident year 2014. 2014 Overall, favorable development for other professional liability was primarily related to better than expected severity in accident years 2012 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded in accident year 2008 due to financial crisis claims. Favorable development for liability was primarily related to better than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2009 and subsequent. Favorable development for property and marine coverages primarily related to better than expected frequency of large claims in accident years 2012 and prior. Favorable development for other coverages was a result of better than expected frequency in Hardy, primarily in financial institution coverages. 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 Overall, favorable development for other professional liability was primarily related to better than expected severity in accident years 2011 and prior. Unfavorable development was recorded related to higher than expected severity in accident year 2012. Overall, unfavorable development for property and marine coverages was primarily due to 2011 catastrophe events, including the Thailand floods and the New Zealand Lyttelton earthquake, and one large non-catastrophe claim. Favorable development was recorded related to better than expected severity in accident years 2008 through 2011. Favorable development for other coverages was largely a result of better than expected severity in Hardy in accident year 2012. The commutation of a third-party capital provider's 15% participation in the 2012 year of account resulted in recognition of the 15% share of year of account premiums, losses and expenses. A&EP Reserves In 2010, Continental Casualty Company (CCC) together with several of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries completed a transaction with National Indemnity Company (NICO), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., under which substantially all of the Company’s legacy A&EP liabilities were ceded to NICO (Loss Portfolio Transfer or LPT). At the transaction effective date, the Company ceded approximately $1.6 billion of net A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves to NICO under a retroactive reinsurance agreement with an aggregate limit of $4 billion . The $1.6 billion of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves ceded to NICO was net of $1.2 billion of ceded claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves under existing third-party reinsurance contracts. The NICO aggregate reinsurance limit also covers credit risk on the existing third-party reinsurance related to these liabilities. The Company paid NICO a reinsurance premium of $2 billion and transferred to NICO billed third-party reinsurance receivables related to A&EP claims with a net book value of $215 million , resulting in total consideration of $2.2 billion . Through December 31, 2013, the Company recorded $0.9 billion of additional amounts ceded under LPT. As a result, the cumulative amounts ceded under the Loss Portfolio Transfer exceeded the $2.2 billion consideration paid, resulting in a deferred retroactive reinsurance gain. This deferred gain is recognized in earnings in proportion to actual recoveries under the Loss Portfolio Transfer. Over the life of the contract, there is no economic impact as long as any additional losses are within the limit under the contract. In a period in which the estimate of ceded losses is changed, the required change to the deferred gain is cumulatively recognized in earnings as if the revised estimate was available at the inception of the LPT. The effect of the deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit is recorded in Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table presents the impact of the Loss Portfolio Transfer on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Net A&EP adverse development before consideration of LPT $ 150 $ — $ 363 Provision for uncollectible third-party reinsurance on A&EP — — 140 Additional amounts ceded under LPT 150 — 503 Retroactive reinsurance benefit recognized (85 ) (13 ) (314 ) Pretax impact of deferred retroactive reinsurance $ 65 $ (13 ) $ 189 During 2013 , unfavorable development was recorded for accident years 2000 and prior related to A&EP claims due to an increase in ultimate claim severity and higher than anticipated claim reporting, as well as increased defense costs. Additionally, the Company recognized a provision for uncollectible third-party reinsurance which increased the expected recovery from NICO. The fourth quarter of 2014 A&EP reserve review was not completed in 2014 because additional information and analysis on inuring third-party reinsurance recoveries were needed to finalize the review. The review was finalized in the second quarter of 2015 . Unfavorable development was due to a decrease in anticipated future reinsurance recoveries related to asbestos claims and higher than expected severity on pollution claims. Management adopted the second quarter of the year as the timing for all future annual A&EP claims actuarial reviews. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the cumulative amounts ceded under the LPT were $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion . The unrecognized deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit was $241 million and $176 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . NICO established a collateral trust account as security for its obligations to the Company. The fair value of the collateral trust account was $2.8 billion and $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . In addition, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. guaranteed the payment obligations of NICO up to the full aggregate reinsurance limit as well as certain of NICO’s performance obligations under the trust agreement. NICO is responsible for claims handling and billing and collection from third-party reinsurers related to the Company’s A&EP claims.

Legal Proceedings and Contingen

Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities	Note F . 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 Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Reinsurance	Note G . Reinsurance The Company cedes insurance to reinsurers to limit its maximum loss, provide greater diversification of risk, minimize exposures on larger risks and to exit certain lines of business. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the primary liability of the Company. A credit exposure exists with respect to property and casualty and life reinsurance ceded to the extent that any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations or to the extent that the reinsurer disputes the liabilities assumed under reinsurance agreements. Property and casualty reinsurance coverages are tailored to the specific risk characteristics of each product line and the Company's retained amount varies by type of coverage. Reinsurance contracts are purchased to protect specific lines of business such as property and workers' compensation. Corporate catastrophe reinsurance is also purchased for property and workers' compensation exposure. Currently, most reinsurance contracts are purchased on an excess of loss basis. The Company also utilizes facultative reinsurance in certain lines. In addition, the Company assumes reinsurance, primarily through Hardy and as a member of various reinsurance pools and associations. The following table presents the amounts receivable from reinsurers. December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 Reinsurance receivables related to insurance reserves: Ceded claim and claim adjustment expenses $ 4,087 $ 4,344 Ceded future policy benefits 207 185 Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses 197 213 Reinsurance receivables 4,491 4,742 Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance (38 ) (48 ) Reinsurance receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible reinsurance $ 4,453 $ 4,694 The Company has established an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables. The Company reviews the allowance quarterly and adjusts the allowance as necessary to reflect changes in estimates of uncollectible balances. The allowance may also be reduced by write-offs of reinsurance receivable balances. The Company attempts to mitigate its credit risk related to reinsurance by entering into reinsurance arrangements with reinsurers that have credit ratings above certain levels and by obtaining collateral. On a limited basis, the Company may enter into reinsurance agreements with reinsurers that are not rated, primarily captive reinsurers. The primary methods of obtaining collateral are through reinsurance trusts, letters of credit and funds withheld balances. Such collateral was approximately $3.2 billion and $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . The Company's largest recoverables from a single reinsurer including ceded unearned premium reserves, as of December 31, 2015 , were approximately $2,357 million from subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Group, $284 million from the Gateway Rivers Insurance Company and $207 million from subsidiaries of the Hartford Insurance Group. The recoverable from the Berkshire Hathaway Group includes amounts related to third-party reinsurance for which NICO has assumed the credit risk under the terms of the Loss Portfolio Transfer as discussed in Note E to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The effects of reinsurance on earned premiums and written premiums are presented in the following tables. (In millions) Direct Assumed Ceded Net Assumed/ Net % 2015 Earned Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,853 $ 274 $ 3,754 $ 6,373 4.3 % Accident and health 498 50 — 548 9.1 % Total earned premiums $ 10,351 $ 324 $ 3,754 $ 6,921 4.7 % 2014 Earned Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,452 $ 277 $ 3,073 $ 6,656 4.2 % Accident and health 508 48 — 556 8.6 % Total earned premiums $ 9,960 $ 325 $ 3,073 $ 7,212 4.5 % 2013 Earned Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,063 $ 258 $ 2,609 $ 6,712 3.8 % Accident and health 511 48 — 559 8.6 % Total earned premiums $ 9,574 $ 306 $ 2,609 $ 7,271 4.2 % (In millions) Direct Assumed Ceded Net Assumed/ Net % 2015 Written Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,852 $ 270 $ 3,702 $ 6,420 4.2 % Accident and health 493 49 — 542 9.0 % Total written premiums $ 10,345 $ 319 $ 3,702 $ 6,962 4.6 % 2014 Written Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,283 $ 276 $ 3,024 $ 6,535 4.2 % Accident and health 504 49 — 553 8.9 % Total written premiums $ 9,787 $ 325 $ 3,024 $ 7,088 4.6 % 2013 Written Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,103 $ 249 $ 2,556 $ 6,796 3.7 % Accident and health 505 47 — 552 8.5 % Total written premiums $ 9,608 $ 296 $ 2,556 $ 7,348 4.0 % Included in the direct and ceded earned premiums for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 are $3,344 million , $2,643 million and $2,156 million related to property business that is 100% reinsured under a significant third-party captive program. The third-party captives that participate in this program are affiliated with the non-insurance company policyholders, therefore this program provides a means for the policyholders to self-insure this property risk. The Company receives and retains a ceding commission. Accident and health premiums are from long duration contracts; property and casualty premiums are from short duration contracts. Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations are net of reinsurance recoveries of $2,601 million , $1,379 million and $1,450 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , including $2,282 million , $1,458 million and $712 million , respectively, related to the significant third-party captive program discussed above. Reinsurance recoveries in 2014 were unfavorably affected by the commutation of a workers’ compensation reinsurance pool.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note H . Debt Debt is composed of the following obligations. December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 Short term debt: Senior notes of CNAF, 6.500%, face amount of $350, due August 15, 2016 $ 350 $ — Long term debt: Senior notes of CNAF: 6.500%, face amount of $350, due August 15, 2016 — 349 6.950%, face amount of $150, due January 15, 2018 150 150 7.350%, face amount of $350, due November 15, 2019 349 348 5.875%, face amount of $500, due August 15, 2020 497 497 5.750%, face amount of $400, due August 15, 2021 397 397 3.950%, face amount of $550, due May 15, 2024 547 547 Debenture of CNAF, 7.250%, face amount of $243, due November 15, 2023 242 241 Subordinated variable rate debt of Hardy, face amount of $30, due September 15, 2036 30 30 Total long term debt 2,212 2,559 Total debt $ 2,562 $ 2,559 CCC is a member of the FHLBC. FHLBC membership provides participants with access to additional sources of liquidity through various programs and services. As a requirement of membership in the FHLBC, CCC held $17 million of FHLBC stock as of December 31, 2015 giving it access to approximately $349 million of additional liquidity. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , CCC had no outstanding borrowings from the FHLBC. During 2015, the Company entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and simultaneously terminated the previous credit agreement. The new credit agreement established a five-year $250 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility which may be used for general corporate purposes. At the Company's election, the commitments under the new credit agreement may be increased from time to time up to an additional aggregate amount of $100 million and the new credit agreement includes two optional one-year extensions prior to the first and second anniversary of the closing date, subject to applicable consents. Under the new credit agreement, the Company is required to pay a facility fee which would adjust automatically in the event of a change in the Company's financial ratings. The new credit agreement includes several covenants, including maintenance of a minimum consolidated net worth and a defined ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization. The minimum consolidated net worth, as defined as of December 31, 2015 , was $8.7 billion . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the credit agreements. The Company's debt obligations contain customary covenants for investment grade issuers. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . The combined aggregate maturities for debt as of December 31, 2015 are presented in the following table. (In millions) 2016 $ 350 2017 — 2018 150 2019 350 2020 500 Thereafter 1,223 Less discount (11 ) Total $ 2,562

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit Plans	Note I . Benefit Plans Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefit Plans CNA sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, primarily through the CNA Retirement Plan, covering certain eligible employees. These plans are closed to new entrants. CNA's funding policy for defined benefit pension plans is to make contributions in accordance with applicable governmental regulatory requirements with consideration of the funded status of the plans. Effective January 1, 2000, the CNA Retirement Plan was closed to new participants. Existing participants at that time were given a choice to either continue to accrue benefits under the CNA Retirement Plan or to cease accruals effective December 31, 1999. Employees who chose to continue to accrue benefits under the plan will receive benefits in accordance with plan provisions. Employees who elected to cease accruals effective December 31, 1999 received the present value of their accrued benefit in an accrued pension account that is credited with interest based on the annual rate of interest on 30-year Treasury securities. These employees also receive certain enhanced employer contributions in the CNA 401(k) Plus Plan. During 2014, the CNA Retirement Plan offered a limited-time lump sum settlement payment opportunity to the majority of the terminated vested participants of the plan. The lump sum settlements reduced the Company’s risk and volatility related to funding the CNA Retirement Plan. The number of participants that elected to accept the lump sum opportunity was approximately 20% of the then total participants in the plan. Settlement payments of $253 million were made from CNA Retirement Plan assets. The $84 million settlement charge recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2014 represents recognition of a portion of the unrecognized actuarial losses previously reflected in AOCI. This settlement charge is included in Other operating expenses within the Corporate & Other Non-Core segment. In the second quarter of 2015, the Company eliminated future benefit accruals associated with the CNA Retirement Plan effective June 30, 2015. Employees who were continuing to accrue under the CNA Retirement Plan up until that date are entitled to an accrued benefit payable based on their eligible compensation and accrued service through June 30, 2015, in accordance with the terms of the CNA Retirement Plan. Starting with the first pay period after July 1, 2015, affected employees began receiving enhanced employer contributions in the CNA 401(k) Plus Plan similar to employees who elected to cease accruals effective December 31, 1999. Employees who elected to cease accruals effective December 31, 1999 are not affected by this curtailment. This curtailment resulted in a $55 million decrease in the CNA Retirement Plan benefit obligation liability and a reduction of the unrecognized actuarial losses included in AOCI. In connection with the curtailment, the Company remeasured the plan benefit obligation which resulted in an increase in the discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation from 3.85% to 4.00% . CNA provides certain health care benefits to eligible retired employees, their covered dependents and their beneficiaries primarily through the CNA Health and Group Benefits Program. These postretirement benefits have largely been eliminated for active employees. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company eliminated certain postretirement medical benefits associated with the CNA Health and Group Benefits Program. This change was a negative plan amendment which resulted in an $86 million curtailment gain reported 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% . The following table presents a reconciliation of benefit obligations and plan assets. Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Benefit obligation as of January 1 $ 3,019 $ 2,943 $ 29 $ 40 Changes in benefit obligation: Service cost 4 9 — — Interest cost 112 132 1 1 Participants' contributions — — 4 5 Plan amendments (55 ) (3 ) — (7 ) Actuarial (gain) loss (79 ) 367 (3 ) 1 Benefits paid (173 ) (165 ) (8 ) (11 ) Settlements — (257 ) — — Foreign currency translation and other (7 ) (7 ) — — Benefit obligation as of December 31 2,821 3,019 23 29 Fair value of plan assets as of January 1 2,456 2,656 — — Change in plan assets: Actual return on plan assets (18 ) 216 — — Company contributions 10 12 4 6 Participants' contributions — — 4 5 Benefits paid (173 ) (165 ) (8 ) (11 ) Settlements — (257 ) — — Foreign currency translation and other (8 ) (6 ) — — Fair value of plan assets as of December 31 2,267 2,456 — — Funded status $ (554 ) $ (563 ) $ (23 ) $ (29 ) Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31: Other assets $ 12 $ 9 $ — $ — Other liabilities (566 ) (572 ) (23 ) (29 ) Net amount recognized $ (554 ) $ (563 ) $ (23 ) $ (29 ) Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income, not yet recognized in net periodic cost (benefit): Prior service credit $ — $ — $ (6 ) $ (9 ) Net actuarial loss 999 974 3 8 Net amount recognized $ 999 $ 974 $ (3 ) $ (1 ) The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $2,821 million and $2,962 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . The components of net periodic cost (benefit) are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pension cost (benefit) Service cost $ 4 $ 9 $ 12 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 112 132 121 Expected return on plan assets (174 ) (191 ) (181 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 34 25 47 Settlement loss — 84 3 Net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ (24 ) $ 59 $ 2 Postretirement cost (benefit) Service cost $ — $ — $ 1 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 1 1 1 Amortization of prior service credit (3 ) (10 ) (18 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 1 1 2 Curtailment gain — (86 ) — Net periodic postretirement cost (benefit) $ (1 ) $ (94 ) $ (14 ) The amounts recognized in Other comprehensive income are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pension and postretirement benefits Amounts arising during the period $ (111 ) $ (337 ) $ 422 Curtailment and other 56 (81 ) — Settlement — 84 — Reclassification adjustment relating to prior service credit (3 ) (10 ) (18 ) Reclassification adjustment relating to actuarial loss 35 26 49 Total increase (decrease) in Other comprehensive income $ (23 ) $ (318 ) $ 453 The table below presents the estimated amounts to be recognized from AOCI into net periodic cost (benefit) during 2016 . (In millions) Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Amortization of prior service credit $ — $ (2 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 37 — Total estimated amounts to be recognized $ 37 $ (2 ) Actuarial assumptions used for the CNA Retirement Plan and CNA Health and Group Benefits Program to determine benefit obligations are presented in the following table. December 31 2015 2014 Pension benefits Discount rate 4.150 % 3.850 % Expected long term rate of return 7.500 7.500 Rate of compensation increases N/A 3.920 Postretirement benefits Discount rate 2.750 % 2.500 % Actuarial assumptions used for the CNA Retirement Plan and CNA Health and Group Benefits Program to determine net cost or benefit are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 2015 2014 2013 Pension benefits Discount rate 3.850%/4.000% 4.650 % 3.800 % Expected long term rate of return 7.500 7.500 7.750 Rate of compensation increases 3.920 3.990 4.066 Postretirement benefits Discount rate 2.500 % 3.600%/3.100% 2.800 % In determining the expected long term rate of return on plan assets assumption for the CNA Retirement Plan, CNA considered the historical performance of the benefit plan investment portfolio as well as long term market return expectations based on the investment mix of the portfolio and the expected investment horizon. The CNA Health and Group Benefits Program has limited its share of the health care trend rate to a cost-of-living adjustment of 4% per year. For all participants, the employer subsidy on health care costs will not increase by more than 4% per year. As a result, the assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the CNA Health and Group Benefits Program was 4% per year in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . CNA employs a total return approach whereby a mix of equity, limited partnerships and fixed maturity securities are used to maximize the long term return of retirement plan assets for a prudent level of risk and to manage cash flows according to plan requirements. The target allocation of plan assets is 40% to 60% invested in equity securities and limited partnerships, with the remainder primarily invested in fixed maturity securities. Alternative investments, including limited partnerships, are used to enhance risk adjusted long term returns while improving portfolio diversification. The intent of this strategy is to minimize the Company's expense related to funding the plan by generating investment returns that exceed the growth of the plan liabilities over the long run. Risk tolerance is established after careful consideration of the plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial conditions. As of December 31, 2015 , the plan had committed approximately $98 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset/liability studies and quarterly investment portfolio reviews. Pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as cash are presented in the following tables. December 31, 2015 (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets at Fair Value Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ — $ 455 $ 10 $ 465 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 106 — 106 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 133 — 133 Commercial mortgage-backed — 69 — 69 Other asset-backed — 11 — 11 Total asset-backed — 213 — 213 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises — — — — Total fixed maturity securities — 774 10 784 Equity securities 336 107 — 443 Derivative financial instruments 1 — — 1 Short term investments 24 28 — 52 Limited partnerships: Hedge funds — 516 296 812 Private equity — — 123 123 Total limited partnerships — 516 419 935 Other assets — 52 — 52 Total assets $ 361 $ 1,477 $ 429 $ 2,267 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets at Fair Value Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ — $ 463 $ 15 $ 478 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 80 — 80 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 123 — 123 Commercial mortgage-backed — 75 — 75 Other asset-backed — 12 — 12 Total asset-backed — 210 — 210 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 25 — — 25 Total fixed maturity securities 25 753 15 793 Equity securities 389 118 — 507 Derivative financial instruments 1 — — 1 Short term investments 33 101 — 134 Limited partnerships: Hedge funds — 562 303 865 Private equity — — 113 113 Total limited partnerships — 562 416 978 Other assets — 30 — 30 Cash 13 — — 13 Total assets $ 461 $ 1,564 $ 431 $ 2,456 The limited partnership investments are recorded at fair value, which represents the plan's share of net asset value of each partnership, as determined by the General Partner. Level 2 includes limited partnership investments which can be redeemed at net asset value in 90 days or less. Level 3 includes limited partnership investments with withdrawal provisions greater than 90 days, or for which withdrawals are not permitted until the termination of the partnership. Within hedge fund strategies, approximately 57% were equity related, 37% pursued a multi-strategy approach and 6% were focused on distressed investments as of December 31, 2015 . For a discussion of the fair value levels and the valuation methodologies used to measure fixed maturity securities, equities, derivatives and short term investments, see Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The tables below present a reconciliation for all pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2015 Actual return on assets still held as of December 31, 2015 Actual return on assets sold during the year ended December 31, 2015 Purchases, sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of December 31, 2015 Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 15 $ — $ — $ — $ (5 ) $ 10 Limited partnerships: Hedge funds 303 18 — (25 ) — 296 Private equity 113 9 — 1 — 123 Total limited partnerships 416 27 — (24 ) — 419 Total $ 431 $ 27 $ — $ (24 ) $ (5 ) $ 429 Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2014 Actual return on assets still held as of December 31, 2014 Actual return on assets sold during the year ended December 31, 2014 Purchases, sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of December 31, 2014 Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 15 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 15 Equity securities 8 — — (8 ) — — Limited partnerships: Hedge funds 322 19 — (38 ) — 303 Private equity 114 19 — (20 ) — 113 Total limited partnerships 436 38 — (58 ) — 416 Total $ 459 $ 38 $ — $ (66 ) $ — $ 431 The table below presents the estimated future minimum benefit payments to participants as of December 31, 2015 . (In millions) Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits 2016 $ 180 $ 4 2017 183 4 2018 184 3 2019 183 3 2020 185 2 2021-2025 915 7 In 2016 , CNA expects to contribute $11 million to its pension plans and $4 million to its postretirement health care benefit plans. Savings Plans CNA sponsors savings plans, which are generally contributory plans that allow most employees to contribute a maximum of 50% of their eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations prescribed by the IRS. The Company contributes matching amounts to participants, amounting to 70% of the first 6% ( 35% of the first 6% in the first year of employment) of eligible compensation contributed by the employee. Employees vest in these contributions ratably over five years. Eligible employees also receive a Company contribution of 3% or 5% of their eligible compensation, depending on their age. In addition, these employees are eligible to receive additional discretionary contributions of up to 2% of eligible compensation and an additional Company match of up to 80% of the first 6% of eligible compensation contributed by the employee. These additional contributions are made at the discretion of management and are contributed to participant accounts in the first quarter of the year following management's determination of the discretionary amounts. Employees vest in these contributions ratably over five years. Benefit expense for the Company's savings plans was $71 million , $69 million and $71 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 .

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation [Text Block]	Note J . Stock-Based Compensation The CNAF Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan), as amended and restated on January 1, 2010, authorizes the grant of stock-based compensation to certain management personnel for up to 6 million shares of CNAF's common stock. The Plan currently provides for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted shares, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance-based RSUs and performance share units. The number of shares available for the granting of stock-based compensation under the Plan as of December 31, 2015 was approximately 1.1 million . The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to the Plan of $14 million , $11 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . The related income tax benefit recognized was $5 million , $4 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . The compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was $10 million , and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 1.5 years as of December 31, 2015 . Equity based compensation that is not fully vested prior to termination is generally forfeited upon termination, except as otherwise provided by contractual obligations. In addition, any such compensation that vested prior to termination is generally canceled immediately, except in cases of retirement, death or disability, and as otherwise provided by contractual obligations. Share Awards The fair value of share awards is based on the market value of the Company's common stock as of the date of grant. Share awards currently granted under the Plan include RSUs, performance-based RSUs and performance share units. Generally, RSU's vest ratably over a four -year service period following the date of grant. Performance-based RSUs generally become payable within a range of 0% to 100% of the number of shares initially granted based upon the attainment of specific annual performance goals and vest ratably over a four -year service period following the date of grant. Performance share units become payable within a range of 0% to 200% of the number of shares initially granted based upon the attainment of specific performance goals achieved over a three year period. The following table presents activity for non-vested RSUs, performance-based RSUs and performance share units under the Plan in 2015 . Number of Awards Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Balance as of January 1, 2015 914,181 $ 32.76 Awards granted 301,057 41.04 Awards vested (429,352 ) 29.54 Awards forfeited, canceled or expired (6,546 ) 37.53 Performance-based adjustment (44,077 ) 37.47 Balance as of December 31, 2015 735,263 $ 36.53 SARs The exercise price of all SARs granted is based on the market value of the Company's common stock as of the date of grant. SARs generally vest ratably over a four -year service period following date of grant and have a maximum term of ten years. The fair value of granted SARs was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model incorporates a risk free rate of return and various assumptions regarding the underlying common stock and the expected life of the securities granted. Different interest rates and assumptions were used for each grant, as appropriate based on date of grant. There were no SARs granted for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 , there were approximately 1 million awards outstanding, fully vested and expected to vest and be exercisable. The grant date fair value of SARs vested was $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 .

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Other Intangible Assets	Note K . Other Intangible Assets Other intangible assets are presented in the following table. December 31 2015 2014 (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 $ 57 $ 57 $ 60 $ 61 Trade name 8 years 7 3 8 3 Distribution channel 15 years 12 3 12 2 Total finite-lived intangible assets 76 63 80 66 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Syndicate capacity 52 55 Agency force 16 16 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets 68 71 Total other intangible assets $ 144 $ 63 $ 151 $ 66 The Company's other intangible assets primarily relate to the purchase of Hardy, and the amortization of these intangible assets is included in the Statement of Operations for the International segment. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amortization expense of $2 million and $15 million was included in Amortization of deferred acquisition costs. For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 amortization expense of $1 million , $1 million and $5 million was included in Other operating expenses. 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 other intangible assets is $1 million in 2016, $2 million in years 2017, 2018 and 2019 and $1 million in 2020.

Operating Leases, Commitments a

Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees	Note L . Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies and Guarantees Operating Leases The Company occupies office facilities under lease agreements that expire at various dates. In addition, data processing, office and transportation equipment is leased under agreements that expire at various dates. Most leases contain renewal options that provide for rent increases based on prevailing market conditions. Lease expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 were $46 million , $55 million and $46 million . Sublease revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $1 million and $3 million . The table below presents the future minimum lease payments to be made under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2015 . (In millions) Future Minimum Lease Payments 2016 $ 35 2017 31 2018 30 2019 25 2020 23 Thereafter 117 Total $ 261 In connection with the planned relocation of the Company's global headquarters, on February 12, 2016, the Company agreed to sell the current principal executive offices of CNAF. Concurrently, the Company agreed to lease back the current office space until the relocation of the global headquarters under a separate lease agreement, which is expected to occur in 2018. These anticipated lease agreements include expected future minimum lease payments of $9 million in 2016, $10 million in 2017, $4 million in 2018, $0 in 2019, $5 million in 2020, and $138 million thereafter through the remainder of the seventeen year lease term on the new office space. 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, as of December 31, 2015 , the maximum potential future lease payments and other related costs that the Company could be required to pay under this guarantee, in excess of amounts already recorded, were approximately $20 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 As of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had recorded liabilities of approximately $5 million related to guarantee and indemnification agreements and management believes that it is not likely that any future indemnity claims will be significantly greater than the amounts recorded. In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, the Company agreed to guarantee the performance of certain obligations of a previously owned subsidiary and to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such guarantee and indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third-party loans may include provisions that survive indefinitely. As of December 31, 2015 , the aggregate amount related to quantifiable guarantees was $375 million and the aggregate amount related to indemnification agreements was $260 million . Should the Company be required to make payments under the guarantee, it would have the right to seek reimbursement in certain cases from an affiliate of a previously owned subsidiary. 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 December 31, 2015 , 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. In the normal course of business, the Company also provided guarantees, if the primary obligor fails to perform, to holders of structured settlement annuities provided by a previously owned subsidiary, which are estimated to mature through 2120. The potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to pay under these guarantees was approximately $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2015 . The Company does not believe a payable is likely under these guarantees, as the Company is the beneficiary of a trust that must be maintained at a level that approximates the discounted reserves for these annuities.

Stockholders' Equity and Statut

Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity And Statutory Accounting Practices	Note M . Stockholders’ Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices Common Stock Dividends There are no restrictions on the retained earnings or net income of CNAF with regard to payment of dividends to its stockholders. However, given the holding company nature of CNAF, its ability to pay a dividend is significantly dependent on the receipt of dividends from its subsidiaries, particularly CCC, which directly or indirectly owns all significant subsidiaries. See the Statutory Accounting Practices section below for a discussion of the regulatory restrictions on CCC's availability to pay dividends. CNAF's ability to pay dividends is indirectly limited by the minimum consolidated net worth covenant in the Company's line of credit agreement. See Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company's debt obligations. Statutory Accounting Practices CNAF’s insurance subsidiaries are domiciled in various jurisdictions. These subsidiaries prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the respective jurisdictions’ insurance regulators. Domestic prescribed statutory accounting practices are set forth in a variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules. These statutory accounting principles vary in certain respects from GAAP. In converting from statutory accounting principles to GAAP, the more significant adjustments include deferral of policy acquisition costs and the inclusion of net unrealized holding gains or losses in stockholders’ equity relating to certain fixed maturity securities. The Company has a prescribed practice as it relates to the accounting under Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 62R (SSAP No. 62R), Property and Casualty Reinsurance , paragraphs 67 and 68 in conjunction with the 2010 Loss Portfolio Transfer with NICO as further discussed in Note E. The prescribed practice allows the Company to aggregate all third party AE&P reinsurance balances administered by NICO in Schedule F and to utilize the Loss Portfolio Transfer as collateral for the underlying third party reinsurance balances for purposes of calculating the statutory reinsurance penalty. This prescribed practice increased statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2015 by $90 million . The long term care premium deficiency discussed in Note A was recorded on a GAAP basis. There was no premium deficiency for statutory accounting purposes. Statutory accounting principles requires the use of prescribed discount rates in calculating the reserves for long term care future policy benefits which are lower than the discount rates used on a GAAP basis and results in higher carried reserves relative to GAAP reserves. The payment of dividends by CNAF's insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of the insurance department of each subsidiary’s domiciliary jurisdiction is generally limited by formula. Dividends in excess of these amounts are subject to prior approval by the respective insurance regulator. Dividends from CCC are subject to the insurance holding company laws of the State of Illinois, the domiciliary state of CCC. Under these laws, ordinary dividends, or dividends that do not require prior approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance (the Department), are determined based on the greater of the prior year's statutory net income or 10% of statutory surplus as of the end of the prior year, as well as timing and amount of dividends paid in the preceding twelve months. Additionally, ordinary dividends may only be paid from earned surplus, which is calculated by removing unrealized gains from unassigned surplus. As of December 31, 2015 , CCC is in a positive earned surplus position. The maximum allowable dividend CCC could pay during 2016 that would not be subject the Department’s prior approval is $1,079 million , less dividends paid during the preceding twelve months measured at that point in time. CCC paid dividends of $900 million in 2015. The actual level of dividends paid in any year is determined after an assessment of available dividend capacity, holding company liquidity and cash needs as well as the impact the dividends will have on the statutory surplus of the applicable insurance company. Combined statutory capital and surplus and statutory net income (loss), determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance and/or other regulatory authorities for the Combined Continental Casualty Companies and the life company, are presented in the table below. Statutory Capital and Surplus Statutory Net Income (Loss) December 31 Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 (a) 2014 2015 (a) 2014 2013 Combined Continental Casualty Companies $ 10,723 $ 11,155 $ 1,148 $ 914 $ 913 Life company 37 48 (a) Information derived from the statutory-basis financial statements to be filed with insurance regulators. CNAF’s domestic insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital (RBC) requirements. RBC is a method developed by the NAIC to determine the minimum amount of statutory capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in consideration of its size and risk profile. The formula for determining the amount of RBC specifies various factors, weighted based on the perceived degree of risk, which are applied to certain financial balances and financial activity. The adequacy of a company's actual capital is evaluated by a comparison to the RBC results, as determined by the formula. Companies below minimum RBC requirements are classified within certain levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. The statutory capital and surplus presented above for CCC was approximately 266% and 270% of company action level RBC as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Company action level RBC is the level of RBC which triggers a heightened level of regulatory supervision. The statutory capital and surplus of the Company's foreign insurance subsidiaries, which is not significant to the overall statutory capital and surplus, also met or exceeded their respective regulatory and other capital requirements.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	Note N . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component The table below displays the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component. (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 as of December 31, 2014 $ 36 $ 942 $ (633 ) $ 55 $ 400 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (23 ) (595 ) (36 ) (139 ) (793 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $8, $30, $11, $- and $49 (14 ) (43 ) (21 ) — (78 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $5, $282, $8, $- and $295 (9 ) (552 ) (15 ) (139 ) (715 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 27 $ 390 $ (648 ) $ (84 ) $ (315 ) (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 as of December 31, 2013 $ 26 $ 692 $ — $ (426 ) $ 150 442 Change due to sale of subsidiaries (5 ) (17 ) 22 — — — Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 15 295 12 (219 ) (95 ) 8 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $-, $(10), $(23),$7, $- and $(26) — 28 34 (12 ) — 50 Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(8), $(122), $15, $111, $- and $(4) 15 267 (22 ) (207 ) (95 ) (42 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 36 $ 942 $ — $ (633 ) $ 55 $ 400 Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) shown above are reported in Net income (loss) as follows: Component of AOCI 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

Business Segments

Business Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Note O . Business Segments The Company's core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are aggregated and reported in three business segments: Specialty, Commercial and International. Specialty provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, through a network of independent agents, brokers and managing general underwriters. Commercial includes property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations primarily through an independent agency distribution system. Commercial also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations primarily through insurance brokers. International provides management and professional liability coverages as well as a broad range of other property and casualty insurance products and services abroad through a network of brokers, independent agencies and managing general underwriters, as well as the Lloyd’s of London marketplace. The Company's non-core operations are managed and reported in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Corporate & Other Non-Core. Life & Group Non-Core primarily includes the results of our individual and group long term care businesses that are in run-off. Corporate & Other Non-Core primarily includes certain corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business in run-off, including CNA Re and A&EP. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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. Approximately 8.0% , 8.8% and 9.0% of the Company's direct written premiums were derived from outside the United States for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . 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 Company's results of continuing operations and selected balance sheet items by segment are presented in the following tables. Year ended December 31, 2015 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core (In millions) Eliminations Total Net written premiums $ 2,781 $ 2,818 $ 822 $ 542 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 6,962 Operating revenues Net earned premiums $ 2,782 $ 2,788 $ 804 $ 548 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 6,921 Net investment income 474 593 52 704 17 — 1,840 Other revenues 356 37 (1 ) 7 11 (3 ) 407 Total operating revenues 3,612 3,418 855 1,259 29 (5 ) 9,168 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Net incurred claims and benefits 1,597 1,814 479 1,421 61 — 5,372 Policyholders’ dividends 4 8 — — — — 12 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 589 469 168 314 — — 1,540 Other insurance related expenses 278 538 138 142 (1 ) (2 ) 1,093 Other expenses 301 28 12 11 186 (3 ) 535 Total claims, benefits and expenses 2,769 2,857 797 1,888 246 (5 ) 8,552 Operating income (loss) before income tax 843 561 58 (629 ) (217 ) — 616 Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) (283 ) (192 ) (21 ) 315 80 — (101 ) Net operating income (loss) 560 369 37 (314 ) (137 ) — 515 Net realized investment gains (losses) (33 ) (47 ) 1 (1 ) 13 — (67 ) Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) 11 16 — 9 (5 ) — 31 Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax (22 ) (31 ) 1 8 8 — (36 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 538 $ 338 $ 38 $ (306 ) $ (129 ) $ — $ 479 December 31, 2015 (In millions) Reinsurance receivables $ 724 $ 639 $ 144 $ 497 $ 2,487 $ — $ 4,491 Insurance receivables 890 993 233 11 2 — 2,129 Deferred acquisition costs 307 213 78 — — — 598 Goodwill 117 — 33 — — — 150 Insurance reserves Claim and claim adjustment expenses 6,269 9,183 1,347 3,220 2,644 — 22,663 Unearned premiums 1,839 1,297 415 120 — — 3,671 Future policy benefits — — — 10,152 — — 10,152 Year ended December 31, 2014 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core (In millions) Eliminations Total Net written premiums $ 2,839 $ 2,817 $ 880 $ 553 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 7,088 Operating revenues Net earned premiums $ 2,838 $ 2,906 $ 913 $ 556 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 7,212 Net investment income 560 723 61 700 23 — 2,067 Other revenues 295 38 — 16 12 (5 ) 356 Total operating revenues 3,693 3,667 974 1,272 36 (7 ) 9,635 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Net incurred claims and benefits 1,627 2,187 488 1,304 (29 ) — 5,577 Policyholders’ dividends 6 8 — — — — 14 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 592 493 204 28 — — 1,317 Other insurance related expenses 262 487 151 130 1 (2 ) 1,029 Other expenses 254 31 28 30 210 (5 ) 548 Total claims, benefits and expenses 2,741 3,206 871 1,492 182 (7 ) 8,485 Operating income (loss) before income tax 952 461 103 (220 ) (146 ) — 1,150 Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) (318 ) (154 ) (34 ) 151 54 — (301 ) Net operating income (loss) 634 307 69 (69 ) (92 ) — 849 Net realized investment gains (losses) 15 16 (1 ) 7 20 — 57 Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) (5 ) (6 ) 1 — (8 ) — (18 ) Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax 10 10 — 7 12 — 39 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 644 $ 317 $ 69 $ (62 ) $ (80 ) $ — $ 888 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Reinsurance receivables $ 567 $ 690 $ 207 $ 525 $ 2,753 $ — $ 4,742 Insurance receivables 778 954 250 13 2 — 1,997 Deferred acquisition costs 304 213 83 — — — 600 Goodwill 117 — 35 — — — 152 Insurance reserves Claim and claim adjustment expenses 6,229 9,514 1,441 3,183 2,904 — 23,271 Unearned premiums 1,763 1,273 431 125 — — 3,592 Future policy benefits — — — 9,490 — — 9,490 Policyholders’ funds 9 18 — — — — 27 Year ended December 31, 2013 Specialty Commercial Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core (In millions) International Eliminations Total Net written premiums $ 2,880 $ 2,960 $ 959 $ 552 $ (1 ) $ (2 ) $ 7,348 Operating revenues Net earned premiums $ 2,795 $ 3,004 $ 916 $ 559 $ (1 ) $ (2 ) $ 7,271 Net investment income 629 899 60 662 32 — 2,282 Other revenues 257 96 — (4 ) 12 (2 ) 359 Total operating revenues 3,681 3,999 976 1,217 43 (4 ) 9,912 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Net incurred claims and benefits 1,593 2,259 489 1,261 191 — 5,793 Policyholders’ dividends 6 7 — — — — 13 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 585 526 223 28 — — 1,362 Other insurance related expenses 250 498 140 130 (3 ) (2 ) 1,013 Other expenses 237 32 12 13 183 (2 ) 475 Total claims, benefits and expenses 2,671 3,322 864 1,432 371 (4 ) 8,656 Operating income (loss) before income tax 1,010 677 112 (215 ) (328 ) — 1,256 Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) (342 ) (229 ) (43 ) 141 118 — (355 ) Net operating income (loss) 668 448 69 (74 ) (210 ) — 901 Net realized investment gains (losses) (5 ) (15 ) 5 26 9 — 20 Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) 2 5 (2 ) (8 ) (3 ) — (6 ) Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax (3 ) (10 ) 3 18 6 — 14 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 665 $ 438 $ 72 $ (56 ) $ (204 ) $ — $ 915 The following table presents revenue by line of business for each reportable segment. Revenues are comprised of operating revenues and net realized investment gains and losses. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Specialty Management & Professional Liability $ 2,617 $ 2,818 $ 2,836 Surety 502 509 490 Warranty & Alternative Risks 460 381 350 Specialty revenues 3,579 3,708 3,676 Commercial Middle Market 1,623 1,631 1,642 Small Business 616 709 754 Other Commercial Insurance 1,132 1,343 1,588 Commercial revenues 3,371 3,683 3,984 International Canada 214 273 289 CNA Europe 309 335 326 Hardy 333 365 366 International revenues 856 973 981 Life & Group Non-Core revenues 1,258 1,279 1,243 Corporate & Other Non-Core revenues 42 56 52 Eliminations (5 ) (7 ) (4 ) Total revenues $ 9,101 $ 9,692 $ 9,932

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Note P . Discontinued Operations The results of discontinued operations reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows: Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2014 2013 Revenues Net earned premiums $ — $ — Net investment income 94 168 Net realized investment gains 3 11 Other revenues — 2 Total revenues 97 181 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits 75 141 Other operating expenses 2 3 Total claims, benefits and expenses 77 144 Income before income tax 20 37 Income tax expense (6 ) (15 ) Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax 14 22 Loss on sale, net of income tax benefit of $40 and $- (211 ) — (Loss) income from discontinued operations $ (197 ) $ 22 The disposal group included $3,550 million of assets and $3,297 million of liabilities as of August 1, 2014 .

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Note Q . Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following tables present unaudited quarterly financial data. 2015 (In millions, except per share data) First Second Third Fourth Full Year Revenues $ 2,352 $ 2,327 $ 2,153 $ 2,269 $ 9,101 Net income (loss) (a) $ 233 $ 138 $ 178 $ (70 ) $ 479 Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.86 $ 0.51 $ 0.66 $ (0.26 ) $ 1.77 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.86 $ 0.51 $ 0.66 $ (0.26 ) $ 1.77 2014 (In millions, except per share data) First Second Third Fourth Full Year Revenues $ 2,463 $ 2,440 $ 2,411 $ 2,378 $ 9,692 Net income (loss) (b) $ 13 $ 267 $ 213 $ 198 $ 691 Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.05 $ 0.99 $ 0.79 $ 0.73 $ 2.56 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.05 $ 0.98 $ 0.79 $ 0.73 $ 2.55 (a) Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business. (b) Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Note R . Related Party Transactions The Company reimburses Loews, or pays directly, for fees and expenses of investment facilities and services provided to the Company. The amounts incurred by the Company for these fees and expenses were $39 million , $39 million and $37 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 and amounts due to Loews, included in Other liabilities and payable in the first quarter of the subsequent year, were $21 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . In addition, the Company reimbursed Loews for general corporate services and related travel expenses of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 . The CNA Tax Group is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Loews and its eligible subsidiaries, and the related payable to Loews, included in Other liabilities, was $61 million and $132 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . For a detailed description of the income tax agreement with Loews see Note D to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, the Company writes, at standard rates, a limited amount of insurance for Loews and its subsidiaries. The earned premiums for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 were $2 million . CNA previously sponsored a stock ownership plan whereby the Company financed the purchase of Company common stock by certain former officers, including executive officers. Interest charged on the principal amount of these outstanding stock purchase loans is generally equivalent to the short term applicable federal rate in effect on the disbursement date of the loan, compounded semi-annually. Loans made pursuant to the plan were full recourse and secured by the stock purchased.

Schedule I. Summary of Investme

Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties [Abstract]
Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties	SCHEDULE I. SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS - OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES Incorporated herein by reference to Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Schedule II. Condensed Financia

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company)	SCHEDULE II. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (PARENT COMPANY) CNA Financial Corporation Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Revenues Net investment income $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 Net realized investment gains 5 4 4 Total revenues 6 5 5 Expenses Administrative and general 1 5 (7 ) Interest 154 182 165 Total expenses 155 187 158 Loss from operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries (149 ) (182 ) (153 ) Income tax benefit 34 35 22 Loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries (115 ) (147 ) (131 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 594 838 1,068 Net income 479 691 937 Equity in other comprehensive income of subsidiaries (715 ) (42 ) (389 ) Total Comprehensive (Loss) Income $ (236 ) $ 649 $ 548 See accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Information as well as the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. CNA Financial Corporation Balance Sheets December 31 (In millions, except share data) 2015 2014 Assets Investment in subsidiaries $ 13,851 $ 14,867 Cash 4 1 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $0 and $1) — 1 Short term investments 478 499 Other assets 3 3 Total assets $ 14,336 $ 15,371 Liabilities Short term debt $ 350 $ — Long term debt 2,182 2,529 Other liabilities 48 48 Total liabilities 2,580 2,577 Stockholders' Equity Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 270,274,361 and 269,980,202 shares outstanding) 683 683 Additional paid-in capital 2,153 2,151 Retained earnings 9,313 9,645 Accumulated other comprehensive income (315 ) 400 Treasury stock (2,765,882 and 3,060,041 shares), at cost (78 ) (84 ) Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock — (1 ) Total stockholders' equity 11,756 12,794 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 14,336 $ 15,371 See accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Information as well as the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. CNA Financial Corporation Statements of Cash Flows Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income $ 479 $ 691 $ 937 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities: Equity in net income of subsidiaries (594 ) (838 ) (1,068 ) Dividends received from subsidiaries 900 650 400 Net realized investment gains (5 ) (4 ) (4 ) Other, net 4 14 8 Total adjustments 305 (178 ) (664 ) Net cash flows provided by operating activities 784 513 273 Cash Flows from Investing Activities Proceeds from fixed maturity securities — — 1 Change in short term investments 21 6 (57 ) Capital contributions to subsidiaries — (10 ) (12 ) Other, net 7 5 4 Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities 28 1 (64 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Dividends paid to common stockholders (811 ) (541 ) (216 ) Proceeds from the issuance of debt — 546 — Repayment of debt — (549 ) (3 ) Stock options exercised 1 5 2 Other, net 1 25 9 Net cash flows used by financing activities (809 ) (514 ) (208 ) Net change in cash 3 — 1 Cash, beginning of year 1 1 — Cash, end of year $ 4 $ 1 $ 1 See accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Information as well as the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Notes to Condensed Financial Information A. Basis of Presentation The condensed financial information of CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF or the Parent Company) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. CNAF’s subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity in net income of these subsidiaries is presented on the Condensed Statements of Operations as Equity in net income of subsidiaries. Loews owned approximately 90% of the outstanding common stock of CNAF as of December 31, 2015 . B. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 CNAF had recorded liabilities of approximately $5 million related to guarantee agreements. The Parent Company believes that it is not likely that any future indemnity claims will be significantly greater than the amounts recorded. In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, CNAF has agreed to guarantee the performance of certain obligations of both a previously owned subsidiary and a current subsidiary. Such obligations include agreement to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. The guarantee agreements may include provisions that survive indefinitely. As of December 31, 2015 , the aggregate amount of quantifiable guarantee agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third-party loans was $625 million . Should the company be required to make payments under the guarantee, it would have the right to seek reimbursement in certain cases from an affiliate of a previously owned subsidiary. In addition, CNAF 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 December 31, 2015 , CNAF 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. These indemnification agreements survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire or until the agreed upon contract terms expire. In the normal course of business, CNAF also provided guarantees, if the primary obligor fails to perform, to holders of structured settlement annuities provided by a previously owned subsidiary, which are estimated to mature through 2120. The potential amount of future payments CNAF could be required to pay under these guarantees was approximately $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2015 . The Parent Company does not believe a payable is likely under these guarantees, as it is the beneficiary of a trust that must be maintained at a level that approximates the discounted reserves for these annuities.

Schedule III. Supplementary Ins

Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplementary Insurance Information [Abstract]
Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information	SCHEDULE III. SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION Incorporated herein by reference to Note O to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Schedule IV. Reinsurance

Schedule IV. Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies [Abstract]
Schedule IV. Reinsurance	SCHEDULE IV. REINSURANCE Incorporated herein by reference to Note G to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Schedule V. Valuation and Quali

Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE V. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (In millions) Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to Costs and Expenses Charged to Other Accounts (a) Deductions Balance at End of Period Year ended December 31, 2015 Deducted from assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts: Insurance and reinsurance receivables $ 109 $ (12 ) $ — $ (8 ) $ 89 Year ended December 31, 2014 Deducted from assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts: Insurance and reinsurance receivables $ 155 $ (40 ) $ (1 ) $ (5 ) $ 109 Year ended December 31, 2013 Deducted from assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts: Insurance and reinsurance receivables $ 174 $ (6 ) $ (3 ) $ (10 ) $ 155 (a) Amount includes effects of foreign currency translation.

Schedule VI. Supplemental Infor

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Abstract]
Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations	SCHEDULE VI. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS As of and for the years ended December 31 Consolidated Property and Casualty Operations (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Balance Sheet Data Deferred acquisition costs $ 597 $ 600 Reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses 22,663 23,271 Discount deducted from claim and claim adjustment expense reserves above (based on interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 8.0%) 1,534 1,578 Unearned premiums 3,671 3,592 Statement of Operations Data Net written premiums $ 6,962 $ 7,088 $ 7,348 Net earned premiums 6,921 7,212 7,271 Net investment income 1,807 2,031 2,240 Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to current year 4,934 5,043 5,113 Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to prior years (255 ) (39 ) (115 ) Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 1,540 1,317 1,362 Paid claim and claim adjustment expenses 4,945 5,297 5,566

Summary of Significant Accoun33

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Intercompany amounts have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates	The preparation of 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 Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Premiums	Premiums: Insurance premiums on property and casualty insurance contracts are recognized in proportion to the underlying risk insured which are principally earned ratably over the duration of the policies. Premiums on long term care contracts are earned ratably over the policy year in which they are due. The reserve for unearned premiums represents the portion of premiums written relating to the unexpired terms of coverage. Insurance receivables include balances due currently or in the future, including amounts due from insureds related to losses under high deductible policies, and are presented at unpaid balances, net of an allowance for uncollectible receivables. Amounts are considered past due based on policy payment terms. That allowance is determined based on periodic evaluations of aged receivables, management's experience and current economic conditions. Insurance receivables and any related allowance are written off after collection efforts are exhausted or a negotiated settlement is reached. Property and casualty contracts that are retrospectively rated contain provisions that result in an adjustment to the initial policy premium depending on the contract provisions and loss experience of the insured during the experience period. For such contracts, the Company estimates the amount of ultimate premiums that the Company may earn upon completion of the experience period and recognizes either an asset or a liability for the difference between the initial policy premium and the estimated ultimate premium. The Company adjusts such estimated ultimate premium amounts during the course of the experience period based on actual results to date. The resulting adjustment is recorded as either a reduction of or an increase to the earned premiums for the period.
Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves	Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves: Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, except reserves for structured settlements not associated with asbestos and environmental pollution (A&EP), workers' compensation lifetime claims and accident and health claims, are not discounted and are based on 1) case basis estimates for losses reported on direct business, adjusted in the aggregate for ultimate loss expectations; 2) estimates of incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses; 3) estimates of losses on assumed reinsurance; 4) estimates of future expenses to be incurred in the settlement of claims; 5) estimates of salvage and subrogation recoveries and 6) estimates of amounts due from insureds related to losses under high deductible policies. Management considers current conditions and trends as well as past Company and industry experience in establishing these estimates. The effects of inflation, which can be significant, are implicitly considered in the reserving process and are part of the recorded reserve balance. Ceded claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are reported as a component of Reinsurance receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are presented net of anticipated amounts due from insureds related to losses under deductible policies of $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . A significant portion of these amounts are supported by collateral. The Company has an allowance for uncollectible deductible amounts, which is presented as a component of the allowance for doubtful accounts included in Insurance receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Structured settlements have been negotiated for certain property and casualty insurance claims. Structured settlements are agreements to provide fixed periodic payments to claimants. The Company's obligations for structured settlements not funded by annuities are included in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and carried at present values determined using interest rates ranging from 5.5% to 8.0% as of December 31, 2015 and as of 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the discounted reserves for unfunded structured settlements were $560 million and $582 million , net of discount of $880 million and $924 million . Workers' compensation lifetime claim reserves are calculated using mortality assumptions determined through statutory regulation and economic factors. Accident and health claim reserves are calculated using mortality and morbidity assumptions based on Company and industry experience. Workers' compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves are discounted at interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 6.8% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , such discounted reserves totaled $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion , net of discount of $653 million and $654 million .
Future policy benefits reserves	Future policy benefits reserves: Future policy benefits reserves represent the active life reserves related to the Company's long term care policies and are computed using the net level premium method, which incorporates actuarial assumptions as to morbidity, persistency, discount rate and expenses. Expense assumptions primarily relate to claim adjudication. Actuarial assumptions generally vary by plan, age at issue and policy duration. The initial assumptions are determined at issuance, include a margin for adverse deviation and are locked in throughout the life of the contract unless a premium deficiency develops. If a premium deficiency emerges, the assumptions are unlocked and deferred acquisition costs, if any, and the future policy benefits reserves are adjusted. The December 31, 2015 gross premium valuation indicated a premium deficiency of $296 million . The indicated premium deficiency necessitated a charge to income that was affected by the write off of the entire long term care deferred acquisition cost asset of $289 million and an increase to active life reserves of $7 million . As a result, the long term care active life reserves carried as of December 31, 2015 represent management’s best estimate assumptions at that date with no margin for adverse deviation. Interest rates for long term care products range from 6.6% to 7.0% as of December 31, 2015 and 4.5% to 7.9% as of December 31, 2014 .
Guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments	Guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments: Liabilities for guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments are accrued when an assessment is probable, when it can be reasonably estimated and when the event obligating the entity to pay an imposed or probable assessment has occurred. Liabilities for guaranty funds and other insurance-related assessments are not discounted and are included as part of Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the liability balances were $129 million and $131 million .
Reinsurance	Reinsurance: Reinsurance accounting allows for contractual cash flows to be reflected as premiums and losses. To qualify for reinsurance accounting, reinsurance agreements must include risk transfer. To meet risk transfer requirements, a reinsurance contract must include both insurance risk, consisting of underwriting and timing risk, and a reasonable possibility of a significant loss for the assuming entity. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses are presented at unpaid balances. Reinsurance receivables related to unpaid losses are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves. Reinsurance receivables are reported net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cost of reinsurance is primarily accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies or over the reinsurance contract period. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the primary liability of the Company. The Company has established an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables which relates to both amounts already billed on ceded paid losses as well as ceded reserves that will be billed when losses are paid in the future. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables is estimated on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, management's experience and current economic conditions. Reinsurer financial strength ratings are updated and reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if the Company becomes aware of significant changes related to a reinsurer. Because billed receivables generally approximate 4% or less of total reinsurance receivables, the age of the reinsurance receivables related to paid losses is not a significant input into the allowance analysis. Changes in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables are presented as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amounts are considered past due based on the reinsurance contract terms. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses and any related allowance are written off after collection efforts have been exhausted or a negotiated settlement is reached with the reinsurer. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses from insolvent insurers are written off when the settlement due from the estate can be reasonably estimated. At the time reinsurance receivables related to paid losses are written off, any required adjustment to reinsurance receivables related to unpaid losses is recorded as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Reinsurance contracts that do not effectively transfer the economic risk of loss on the underlying policies are recorded using the deposit method of accounting, which requires that premium paid or received by the ceding company or assuming company be accounted for as a deposit asset or liability. The Company had $3 million recorded as deposit assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and $8 million and $9 million recorded as deposit liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Income on reinsurance contracts accounted for under the deposit method is recognized using an effective yield based on the anticipated timing of payments and the remaining life of the contract. When the anticipated timing of payments changes, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and the estimated timing of future payments. The deposit asset or liability is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the inception of the contract. A loss portfolio transfer is a retroactive reinsurance contract. If the cumulative claim and allocated claim adjustment expenses ceded under a loss portfolio transfer exceed the consideration paid, the resulting gain from such excess is deferred and amortized into earnings in future periods in proportion to actual recoveries under the loss portfolio transfer. In the period in which an excess arises, a portion of the deferred gain is cumulatively recognized in earnings as if the revised estimate was available at the inception date of the loss portfolio transfer.
Deferred acquisition costs	Deferred acquisition costs: Deferrable acquisition costs include commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and policy issuance costs which are incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisitions. Deferred acquisition costs related to long term care contracts issued prior to January 1, 2004 include costs which vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of business. Acquisition costs related to property and casualty business are deferred and amortized ratably over the period the related premiums are earned. As noted under Future policy benefits reserves, all of the long term care deferred acquisition costs of $289 million were written off as of December 31, 2015 in recognition of a premium deficiency. Deferred acquisition costs related to long term care contracts are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used for computing future policy benefits reserves for such contracts. Assumptions are made at the date of policy issuance or acquisition and are consistently applied during the lives of the contracts. Deviations from estimated experience are included in results of operations when they occur. For these contracts, the amortization period is typically the estimated life of the policy. The Company evaluates deferred acquisition costs for recoverability. Anticipated investment income is considered in the determination of the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. Adjustments, if necessary, are recorded in current period results of operations. Deferred acquisition costs are presented net of ceding commissions and other ceded acquisition costs. Unamortized deferred acquisition costs relating to contracts that have been substantially changed by a modification in benefits, features, rights or coverages that were not anticipated in the original contract are not deferred and are included as a charge to operations in the period during which the contract modification occurred.
Investments in life settlement contracts and related revenue recognition	Investments in life settlement contracts and related revenue recognition: Prior to 2002, the Company purchased investments in life settlement contracts. The Company obtained the ownership and beneficiary rights of an underlying life insurance policy through a life settlement contract with the owner of the life insurance contract. The Company accounts for its investments in life settlement contracts using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, each life settlement contract is carried at its fair value at the end of each reporting period. The change in fair value, life insurance proceeds received and periodic maintenance costs, such as premiums, necessary to keep the underlying policy in force, are recorded in Other revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the Company's investments in life settlement contracts were $74 million and $82 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cash receipts and payments related to life settlement contracts are included in Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The following table details the values for life settlement contracts. The determination of fair value is discussed in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements. December 31, 2015 Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value of Life Settlement Contracts (In millions) Face Amount of Life Insurance Policies (In millions) Estimated maturity during: 2016 60 $ 11 $ 35 2017 60 10 31 2018 50 8 27 2019 40 6 24 2020 40 5 21 Thereafter 300 34 167 Total 550 $ 74 $ 305 The Company uses an actuarial model to estimate the aggregate face amount of life insurance that is expected to mature in each future year and the corresponding fair value. This model projects the likelihood of the insured's death for each inforce policy based upon the Company's estimated mortality rates, which may vary due to the relatively small size of the portfolio of life settlement contracts. The number of life settlement contracts presented in the table above is based upon the average face amount of inforce policies estimated to mature in each future year. The increase (decrease) in fair value recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 on contracts still held at each respective period-end was $1 million , $8 million and $(2) million . The gains recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 on contracts that settled were $24 million , $25 million and $15 million .
Investments	Investments The Company classifies its fixed maturity securities and its equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading, and as such, they are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are reported within Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Changes in fair value related to available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of Other comprehensive income. Losses may be recognized within Net realized investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when a decline in value is determined by the Company to be other-than-temporary. The cost of fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are included in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amortization of premium and accretion of discount for fixed maturity securities takes into consideration call and maturity dates that produce the lowest yield. This represents a change from prior reporting periods as previously the amortization of premiums was to maturity. This change in estimate effected by a change in accounting principle will result in a better reflection of the yield on fixed maturity securities with call provisions. This change, which was adopted in the fourth quarter of 2015 , decreased Net investment income and the amortized cost of fixed maturity securities by $ 39 million in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year-ended December 31, 2015 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 , respectively. This adjustment decreased Basic and Diluted earnings per share by $0.09 for the year ended December 31, 2015 . To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting long term care products and structured settlements not funded by annuities would result in a premium deficiency if those gains were 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 (Shadow Adjustments). Shadow Adjustments, net of tax, decreased $177 million and increased $756 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , net unrealized gains on investments included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) were correspondingly reduced by $1,111 million and $1,288 million . For asset-backed securities included in fixed maturity securities, the Company recognizes income using an effective yield based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. The amortized cost of high credit quality fixed rate securities is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the acquisition of the securities. Such adjustments are reflected in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income on lower rated and variable rate securities is determined using the prospective yield method. The Company's carrying value of investments in limited partnerships is its share of the net asset value of each partnership, as determined by the General Partner. Certain partnerships for which results are not available on a timely basis are reported on a lag, primarily three months or less. Changes in net asset values are accounted for under the equity method and recorded within Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Mortgage loans are commercial in nature, are carried at unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized fees and any valuation allowance, and are recorded once funded. Mortgage loans are considered to be impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest payments will not be collected. A valuation allowance is established for impaired loans to the extent that the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate is less than the carrying value of the loan. Interest income from mortgage loans is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective yield method. Accrual of income is generally suspended for mortgage loans that are impaired and collection of principal and interest payments is unlikely. Mortgage loans are considered past due when full principal or interest payments have not been received according to contractual terms. Other invested assets are carried at fair value and include overseas deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) stock and certain derivative securities. Overseas deposits are primarily short-term government securities, agency securities and corporate bonds held in trusts that are managed by Lloyd's of London. These funds are required of Lloyd's syndicates to protect policyholders in overseas markets and may be denominated in local currency. Short term investments are carried at fair value, with the exception of cash accounts earning interest, which are carried at cost and approximate fair value. Changes in fair value are reported as a component of Other comprehensive income. Purchases and sales of all securities are recorded on the trade date, except for private placement debt securities, including bank loan participations, which are recorded once funded. Realized investment gains and losses are determined on the basis of the cost or amortized cost of the specific securities sold.
Variable Interest Entities	In the normal course of investing activities, the Company enters into relationships with variable interest entities (VIEs), primarily as a passive investor in certain limited partnerships and asset-backed securities issued by third-party VIEs. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, and therefore does not consolidate them. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE based on a qualitative assessment of the entity’s purpose, the nature of its operations, its capital structure, its contractual terms and the Company’s relative exposure to the related risks of the VIE. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying values included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and any unfunded commitments.
Impairments, Other Than Temporary	A security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses, otherwise defined as an unrealized loss. When a security is impaired, the impairment is evaluated to determine whether it is temporary or other-than-temporary. Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an OTTI loss has occurred for a security. The Company follows a consistent and systematic process for determining and recording an OTTI loss. The Company has established a committee responsible for the OTTI process referred to as the Impairment Committee. The Impairment Committee is responsible for evaluating all securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis. The Impairment Committee’s assessment of whether an OTTI loss has occurred incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information. Fixed maturity securities that the Company intends to sell, or it more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery of amortized cost, are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value of the security is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. The factors considered by the Impairment Committee include (a) the financial condition and near-term and long-term prospects of the issuer, (b) whether the debtor is current on interest and principal payments, (c) credit ratings of the securities and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook. The Company also considers results and analysis of cash flow modeling for asset-backed securities, and when appropriate, other fixed maturity securities. The focus of the analysis for asset-backed securities is on assessing the sufficiency and quality of underlying collateral and timing of cash flows based on scenario tests. If the present value of the modeled expected cash flows equals or exceeds the amortized cost of a security, no credit loss is judged to exist and the asset-backed security is deemed to be temporarily impaired. If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, the security is judged to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons and that shortfall, referred to as the credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The difference between the adjusted amortized cost basis and fair value, referred to as the non-credit component, is recognized as OTTI in Other comprehensive income. In subsequent reporting periods, a change in intent to sell or further credit impairment on a security whose fair value has not deteriorated will cause the non-credit component originally recorded as OTTI in Other comprehensive income to be recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The Company performs the discounted cash flow analysis using stressed scenarios to determine future expectations regarding recoverability. Significant assumptions enter into these cash flow projections including delinquency rates, probable risk of default, loss severity upon a default, over collateralization and interest coverage triggers and credit support from lower level tranches. The Company applies the same impairment model as described above for the majority of non-redeemable preferred stock securities on the basis that these securities possess characteristics similar to debt securities and that the issuers maintain their ability to pay dividends. For all other equity securities, in determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Impairment Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (b) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (c) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company and its eligible subsidiaries (CNA Tax Group) are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Loews and its eligible subsidiaries. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax rates and other provisions of the tax law. The effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period in which such change is enacted. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized.
Pension and Postretirement Benefits	Pension and Postretirement Benefits The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit plans in Other assets or Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in funded status related to prior service costs and credits and actuarial gains and losses are recognized in the year in which the changes occur through Other comprehensive income. Annual service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs and credits and amortization of actuarial gains and losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The vested benefit obligation for the CNA Retirement Plan is determined based on eligible compensation and accrued service for previously entitled employees. Effective June 30, 2015 the future benefit accruals under the CNA Retirement Plan were eliminated and the benefit obligations were frozen.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company records compensation expense using the fair value method for all awards it grants, modifies or cancels primarily on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, generally three to four years.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency Foreign currency translation gains and losses are reflected in Stockholders' equity as a component of AOCI. The Company's foreign subsidiaries' balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each reporting date and income statement accounts are either translated at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction or at the average exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) of $(11) million , $(25) million and $2 million were included in determining Net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 .
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the various classes of property and equipment and is determined principally on the straight-line method. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over seven years. Office equipment is depreciated over five years. The estimated lives for data processing equipment and software generally range from three to five years, but can be as long as ten years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the corresponding lease terms not to exceed the underlying asset life. The Company's owned building and related capital improvements are depreciated over periods not to exceed fifty years.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of acquired entities and businesses. Goodwill in the International segment may change from period to period as a result of foreign currency translation. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when certain triggering events require such tests. As a result of reviews completed for the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company determined that the estimated fair value of the reporting units were in excess of their carrying value including Goodwill. Changes in future periods in assumptions about the level of economic capital, business growth, earnings projections or the weighted average cost of capital could result in a goodwill impairment
Other Intangible Assets	Other Intangible Assets Other intangible assets are reported within Other assets. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Indefinite-lived other intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or when certain triggering events require such tests.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Data	Earnings (Loss) Per Share Data Earnings (loss) per share is based on 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 years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 534 thousand , 675 thousand and 552 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 106 thousand , 170 thousand and 111 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.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard Update	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASU) In May of 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The updated accounting guidance requires enhanced disclosures to provide additional information about insurance liabilities for short-duration contracts. The updated guidance is effective for annual financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on the Company's financial statement disclosures. In January of 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The updated accounting guidance requires changes to the reporting model for financial instruments. The primary change for the Company is expected to be the requirement for equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The updated guidance is effective for annual statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on the Company's financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accoun34

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Life Settlement Contracts) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Life settlement contracts	The following table details the values for life settlement contracts. The determination of fair value is discussed in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements. December 31, 2015 Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value of Life Settlement Contracts (In millions) Face Amount of Life Insurance Policies (In millions) Estimated maturity during: 2016 60 $ 11 $ 35 2017 60 10 31 2018 50 8 27 2019 40 6 24 2020 40 5 21 Thereafter 300 34 167 Total 550 $ 74 $ 305

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Net investment income	The significant components of Net investment income are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Fixed maturity securities $ 1,751 $ 1,803 $ 1,827 Equity securities 12 12 12 Limited partnership investments 92 263 451 Mortgage loans 33 31 23 Short term investments 6 3 3 Trading portfolio 8 10 17 Other 1 3 2 Gross investment income 1,903 2,125 2,335 Investment expense (63 ) (58 ) (53 ) Net investment income $ 1,840 $ 2,067 $ 2,282
Net realized investment gains (losses)	Net realized investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Net realized investment gains (losses): Fixed maturity securities: Gross realized gains $ 131 $ 170 $ 185 Gross realized losses (197 ) (129 ) (144 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities (66 ) 41 41 Equity securities: Gross realized gains 2 8 13 Gross realized losses (25 ) (7 ) (35 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities (23 ) 1 (22 ) Derivatives 10 (1 ) (9 ) Short term investments and other 12 16 10 Net realized investment gains (losses) $ (67 ) $ 57 $ 20
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	Net change in unrealized gains on investments is presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Net change in unrealized gains on investments: Fixed maturity securities $ (1,114 ) $ 1,511 $ (2,541 ) Equity securities (6 ) 6 (15 ) Other 1 — — Total net change in unrealized gains on investments $ (1,119 ) $ 1,517 $ (2,556 )
Components of net other than temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings by asset type	The components of OTTI losses recognized in earnings by asset type are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 104 $ 18 $ 20 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 18 46 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 8 5 19 Other asset-backed 1 1 2 Total asset-backed 9 6 21 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 131 70 41 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stock 25 7 8 Preferred stock — — 26 Total equity securities available-for-sale 25 7 34 Short term investments — — 1 OTTI losses recognized in earnings $ 156 $ 77 $ 76
Summary of fixed maturity and equity securities	The following tables present a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities. December 31, 2015 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains) (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 17,080 $ 1,019 $ 342 $ 17,757 $ — States, municipalities and political subdivisions 11,729 1,453 8 13,174 (4 ) Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 4,935 154 17 5,072 (37 ) Commercial mortgage-backed 2,154 55 12 2,197 — Other asset-backed 923 6 8 921 — Total asset-backed 8,012 215 37 8,190 (37 ) U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 62 5 — 67 — Foreign government 334 13 1 346 — Redeemable preferred stock 33 2 — 35 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 37,250 2,707 388 39,569 $ (41 ) Total fixed maturity securities trading 3 3 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stock 46 3 1 48 Preferred stock 145 7 3 149 Total equity securities available-for-sale 191 10 4 197 Total $ 37,444 $ 2,717 $ 392 $ 39,769 December 31, 2014 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains) (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 17,210 $ 1,721 $ 61 $ 18,870 $ — States, municipalities and political subdivisions 11,285 1,463 8 12,740 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 5,028 218 13 5,233 (53 ) Commercial mortgage-backed 2,056 93 5 2,144 (2 ) Other asset-backed 1,234 11 10 1,235 — Total asset-backed 8,318 322 28 8,612 (55 ) U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 26 5 — 31 — Foreign government 438 16 — 454 — Redeemable preferred stock 39 3 — 42 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 37,316 3,530 97 40,749 $ (55 ) Total fixed maturity securities trading 19 19 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stock 38 9 — 47 Preferred stock 172 5 2 175 Total equity securities available-for-sale 210 14 2 222 Total $ 37,545 $ 3,544 $ 99 $ 40,990
Securities in a gross unrealized loss position	The following tables present the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of 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. Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 4,882 $ 302 $ 162 $ 40 $ 5,044 $ 342 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 338 8 75 — 413 8 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 963 9 164 8 1,127 17 Commercial mortgage-backed 652 10 96 2 748 12 Other asset-backed 552 8 5 — 557 8 Total asset-backed 2,167 27 265 10 2,432 37 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 4 — — — 4 — Foreign government 54 1 — — 54 1 Redeemable preferred stock 3 — — — 3 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 7,448 338 502 50 7,950 388 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common Stock 3 1 — — 3 1 Preferred stock 13 3 — — 13 3 Total equity securities available-for-sale 16 4 — — 16 4 Total $ 7,464 $ 342 $ 502 $ 50 $ 7,966 $ 392 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses (In millions) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Corporate and other bonds $ 1,330 $ 46 $ 277 $ 15 $ 1,607 $ 61 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 335 5 127 3 462 8 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 293 5 189 8 482 13 Commercial mortgage-backed 264 2 99 3 363 5 Other asset-backed 607 10 7 — 614 10 Total asset-backed 1,164 17 295 11 1,459 28 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 3 — 4 — 7 — Foreign government 3 — 3 — 6 — Redeemable preferred stock 3 — — — 3 — Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 2,838 68 706 29 3,544 97 Equity securities available-for-sale: Preferred stock 17 2 1 — 18 2 Total $ 2,855 $ 70 $ 707 $ 29 $ 3,562 $ 99
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 presents the activity related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities $ 62 $ 74 $ 95 Additional credit losses for securities for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized — — 2 Reductions for securities sold during the period (9 ) (9 ) (23 ) 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 $ 53 $ 62 $ 74
Contractual maturity	The following table presents available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity. December 31 2015 2014 (In millions) Cost or Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Cost or Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 1,574 $ 1,595 $ 2,479 $ 2,511 Due after one year through five years 7,721 8,070 9,054 9,605 Due after five years through ten years 14,652 14,915 12,055 12,584 Due after ten years 13,303 14,989 13,728 16,049 Total $ 37,250 $ 39,569 $ 37,316 $ 40,749
Summary of aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments	The following tables present the aggregate contractual or notional amount and estimated fair value related to derivative financial instruments. December 31, 2015 Contractual/ Notional Amount Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Asset Liability Without hedge designation Equity warrants $ 5 $ — $ — Embedded derivative on funds withheld liability 179 — (5 ) Total $ — $ (5 ) December 31, 2014 Contractual/ Notional Amount Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Asset Liability Without hedge designation Currency forwards $ 9 $ — $ — Equity warrants 5 — — Embedded derivative on funds withheld liability 184 — 3 Total $ — $ 3

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented in the following tables. December 31, 2015 Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ — $ 17,592 $ 168 $ 17,760 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 13,172 2 13,174 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 4,938 134 5,072 Commercial mortgage-backed — 2,175 22 2,197 Other asset-backed — 868 53 921 Total asset-backed — 7,981 209 8,190 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 66 1 — 67 Foreign government — 346 — 346 Redeemable preferred stock 35 — — 35 Total fixed maturity securities 101 39,092 379 39,572 Equity securities 177 — 20 197 Other invested assets — 44 — 44 Short term investments 448 1,134 — 1,582 Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets — — 74 74 Total assets $ 726 $ 40,270 $ 473 $ 41,469 Liabilities Other liabilities $ — $ (5 ) $ — $ (5 ) Total liabilities $ — $ (5 ) $ — $ (5 ) December 31, 2014 Total Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 32 $ 18,695 $ 162 $ 18,889 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 12,646 94 12,740 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 5,044 189 5,233 Commercial mortgage-backed — 2,061 83 2,144 Other asset-backed — 580 655 1,235 Total asset-backed — 7,685 927 8,612 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 28 3 — 31 Foreign government 41 413 — 454 Redeemable preferred stock 30 12 — 42 Total fixed maturity securities 131 39,454 1,183 40,768 Equity securities 145 61 16 222 Other invested assets — 41 — 41 Short term investments 681 963 — 1,644 Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets — — 82 82 Total assets $ 957 $ 40,519 $ 1,281 $ 42,757 Liabilities Other liabilities $ — $ 3 $ — $ 3 Total liabilities $ — $ 3 $ — $ 3
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). Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2015 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 Balance as of December 31, 2015 Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2015 recognized in net income (loss) Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 162 $ (2 ) $ (3 ) $ 65 $ (13 ) $ (35 ) $ 40 $ (46 ) $ 168 $ (2 ) States, municipalities and political subdivisions 94 1 — — — (10 ) — (83 ) 2 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 189 5 (3 ) 81 — (35 ) 14 (117 ) 134 — Commercial mortgage-backed 83 7 (4 ) 23 — (17 ) 17 (87 ) 22 — Other asset-backed 655 3 3 130 (263 ) (52 ) 7 (430 ) 53 — Total asset-backed 927 15 (4 ) 234 (263 ) (104 ) 38 (634 ) 209 — Total fixed maturity securities 1,183 14 (7 ) 299 (276 ) (149 ) 78 (763 ) 379 (2 ) Equity securities 16 — (1 ) 4 — — 1 — 20 — Life settlement contracts 82 25 — — — (33 ) — — 74 1 Total $ 1,281 $ 39 $ (8 ) $ 303 $ (276 ) $ (182 ) $ 79 $ (763 ) $ 473 $ (1 ) Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2014 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 Balance as of December 31, 2014 Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2014 recognized in net income (loss) Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 204 $ 2 $ (1 ) $ 33 $ (23 ) $ (16 ) $ 18 $ (55 ) $ 162 $ — States, municipalities and political subdivisions 71 1 4 14 (10 ) — 14 — 94 — Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed 331 (21 ) 61 94 (174 ) (72 ) 32 (62 ) 189 — Commercial mortgage-backed 151 7 (6 ) 28 (60 ) (29 ) 43 (51 ) 83 — Other asset-backed 446 2 (6 ) 488 (111 ) (117 ) — (47 ) 655 (1 ) Total asset-backed 928 (12 ) 49 610 (345 ) (218 ) 75 (160 ) 927 (1 ) Total fixed maturity securities 1,203 (9 ) 52 657 (378 ) (234 ) 107 (215 ) 1,183 (1 ) Equity securities 11 3 (6 ) 16 (8 ) — — — 16 — Life settlement contracts 88 33 — — — (39 ) — — 82 8 Separate account business 1 — — — — — — (1 ) — — Total $ 1,303 $ 27 $ 46 $ 673 $ (386 ) $ (273 ) $ 107 $ (216 ) $ 1,281 $ 7
Quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of level 3 assets	The following tables present 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 tables 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. December 31, 2015 Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input(s) Range (Weighted Average) Fixed maturity securities $ 138 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 3% - 184% (6%) Life settlement contracts 74 Discounted cash flow Discount rate risk premium 9% Mortality assumption 55% - 1676% (164%) December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input(s) Range (Weighted Average) Fixed maturity securities $ 101 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 2% - 13% (3%) Equity securities 16 Market approach Private offering price $12 - $4,391 per share ($600) Life settlement contracts 82 Discounted cash flow Discount rate risk premium 9% Mortality assumption 55% - 1676% (163%)
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 assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are presented in the following tables. December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Mortgage loans $ 678 $ — $ — $ 688 $ 688 Liabilities Short term debt $ 350 $ — $ 360 $ — $ 360 Long term debt 2,212 — 2,433 — 2,433 December 31, 2014 Carrying Estimated Fair Value (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock $ 1 $ — $ — $ 1 $ 1 Mortgage loans 588 — — 608 608 Liabilities Long term debt $ 2,559 $ — $ 2,883 $ — $ 2,883

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconcilliation between the Company's federal income tax (expense) benefit at statutory rates and the recorded income tax (expense) benefit	The following table presents a reconciliation between the Company's federal income tax expense at statutory rates and the recorded income tax expense, excluding discontinued operations. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Income tax expense at statutory rates $ (192 ) $ (423 ) $ (447 ) Tax benefit from tax exempt income 123 119 97 Foreign taxes and credits 9 (6 ) (1 ) Other tax expense (10 ) (9 ) (10 ) Income tax expense $ (70 ) $ (319 ) $ (361 )
Current and deferred components of the Company's income tax (expense) benefit	The following table presents the current and deferred components of the Company's income tax expense, excluding discontinued operations. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Current tax expense $ (220 ) $ (318 ) $ (292 ) Deferred tax benefit (expense) 150 (1 ) (69 ) Total income tax expense $ (70 ) $ (319 ) $ (361 )
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities	The deferred tax effects of the significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented in the following table. December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 Deferred Tax Assets: Insurance reserves: Property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves $ 178 $ 265 Unearned premium reserves 230 187 Receivables 29 35 Employee benefits 281 289 Life settlement contracts 48 46 Deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit 84 61 Investment valuation differences 29 — Other assets 142 138 Gross deferred tax assets 1,021 1,021 Deferred Tax Liabilities: Investment valuation differences — 50 Deferred acquisition costs 117 226 Net unrealized gains 202 489 Other liabilities 64 65 Gross deferred tax liabilities 383 830 Net deferred tax asset $ 638 $ 191

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex38

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Reconciliation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves	The following table presents a reconciliation between beginning and ending claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves of the Life & Group Non-Core segment. As of or for the years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Reserves, beginning of year: Gross $ 23,271 $ 24,089 $ 24,763 Ceded 4,344 4,972 5,126 Net reserves, beginning of year 18,927 19,117 19,637 Change in net reserves due to acquisition (disposition) of subsidiaries — (13 ) — Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses: Provision for insured events of current year 4,934 5,043 5,114 Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years (255 ) (36 ) (115 ) Amortization of discount 166 161 154 Total net incurred (a) 4,845 5,168 5,153 Net payments attributable to: Current year events (856 ) (945 ) (981 ) Prior year events (4,089 ) (4,355 ) (4,588 ) Total net payments (4,945 ) (5,300 ) (5,569 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment and other (251 ) (45 ) (104 ) Net reserves, end of year 18,576 18,927 19,117 Ceded reserves, end of year 4,087 4,344 4,972 Gross reserves, end of year $ 22,663 $ 23,271 $ 24,089 (a) Total net incurred above does not agree to Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits as reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to amounts related to retroactive reinsurance deferred gain accounting, uncollectible reinsurance and loss deductible receivables, and benefit expenses related to future policy benefits and policyholders' funds, which are not reflected in the table above.
Gross and net carried claim and claim adjustment expense reserves	The following tables present the gross and net carried reserves. December 31, 2015 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core Total (In millions) Gross Case Reserves $ 2,011 $ 4,975 $ 622 $ 2,973 $ 1,521 $ 12,102 Gross IBNR Reserves 4,258 4,208 725 247 1,123 10,561 Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 6,269 $ 9,183 $ 1,347 $ 3,220 $ 2,644 $ 22,663 Net Case Reserves $ 1,810 $ 4,651 $ 531 $ 2,714 $ 130 $ 9,836 Net IBNR Reserves 3,758 3,925 688 216 153 8,740 Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 5,568 $ 8,576 $ 1,219 $ 2,930 $ 283 $ 18,576 December 31, 2014 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core Total (In millions) Gross Case Reserves $ 2,136 $ 5,298 $ 752 $ 2,881 $ 1,189 $ 12,256 Gross IBNR Reserves 4,093 4,216 689 302 1,715 11,015 Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 6,229 $ 9,514 $ 1,441 $ 3,183 $ 2,904 $ 23,271 Net Case Reserves $ 1,929 $ 4,947 $ 598 $ 2,572 $ 144 $ 10,190 Net IBNR Reserves 3,726 3,906 663 271 171 8,737 Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves $ 5,655 $ 8,853 $ 1,261 $ 2,843 $ 315 $ 18,927
Net prior year development	Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. The following tables and discussion present the net prior year development recorded for Specialty, Commercial, International and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. Year ended December 31, 2015 (In millions) Specialty Commercial International Corporate & Other Non-Core Total Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development $ (141 ) $ (15 ) $ (54 ) $ — $ (210 ) Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development (11 ) (15 ) 18 — (8 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development $ (152 ) $ (30 ) $ (36 ) $ — $ (218 ) Year ended December 31, 2014 (In millions) Specialty Commercial International Corporate & Other Non-Core Total Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development $ (136 ) $ 176 $ (59 ) $ (2 ) $ (21 ) Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development (13 ) (20 ) 2 (1 ) (32 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development $ (149 ) $ 156 $ (57 ) $ (3 ) $ (53 ) Year ended December 31, 2013 (In millions) Specialty Commercial International Corporate & Other Non-Core Total Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development $ (196 ) $ 122 $ (38 ) $ (6 ) $ (118 ) Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development (14 ) (8 ) (21 ) 1 (42 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development $ (210 ) $ 114 $ (59 ) $ (5 ) $ (160 )
Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for Specialty segment	The following table presents further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development (development) recorded for the Specialty segment. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pretax (favorable) unfavorable development: Medical Professional Liability $ (43 ) $ 39 $ (27 ) Other Professional Liability and Management Liability — (87 ) (73 ) Surety (69 ) (82 ) (74 ) Warranty (2 ) (2 ) (3 ) Other (27 ) (4 ) (19 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development $ (141 ) $ (136 ) $ (196 )
Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for Commercial segment	The following table presents further detail of the development recorded for the Commercial segment. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pretax (favorable) unfavorable development: Commercial Auto $ (22 ) $ 31 $ 18 General Liability (33 ) 45 64 Workers' Compensation 80 139 91 Property and Other (40 ) (39 ) (51 ) Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development $ (15 ) $ 176 $ 122
Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for International segment	The following table presents further detail of the development recorded for the International segment. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pretax (favorable) unfavorable development: Medical Professional Liability $ (9 ) $ (7 ) $ (7 ) Other Professional Liability (16 ) (26 ) (30 ) Liability (17 ) (13 ) (8 ) Property & Marine (29 ) (14 ) 13 Other 17 (9 ) (17 ) Commutations — 10 11 Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development $ (54 ) $ (59 ) $ (38 )
Impact of loss portfolio transfer on the consolidated statement of operations	The following table presents the impact of the Loss Portfolio Transfer on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Net A&EP adverse development before consideration of LPT $ 150 $ — $ 363 Provision for uncollectible third-party reinsurance on A&EP — — 140 Additional amounts ceded under LPT 150 — 503 Retroactive reinsurance benefit recognized (85 ) (13 ) (314 ) Pretax impact of deferred retroactive reinsurance $ 65 $ (13 ) $ 189

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Components of Reinsurance Receivables	The following table presents the amounts receivable from reinsurers. December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 Reinsurance receivables related to insurance reserves: Ceded claim and claim adjustment expenses $ 4,087 $ 4,344 Ceded future policy benefits 207 185 Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses 197 213 Reinsurance receivables 4,491 4,742 Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance (38 ) (48 ) Reinsurance receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible reinsurance $ 4,453 $ 4,694
Components of Earned and Written Premiums	The effects of reinsurance on earned premiums and written premiums are presented in the following tables. (In millions) Direct Assumed Ceded Net Assumed/ Net % 2015 Earned Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,853 $ 274 $ 3,754 $ 6,373 4.3 % Accident and health 498 50 — 548 9.1 % Total earned premiums $ 10,351 $ 324 $ 3,754 $ 6,921 4.7 % 2014 Earned Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,452 $ 277 $ 3,073 $ 6,656 4.2 % Accident and health 508 48 — 556 8.6 % Total earned premiums $ 9,960 $ 325 $ 3,073 $ 7,212 4.5 % 2013 Earned Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,063 $ 258 $ 2,609 $ 6,712 3.8 % Accident and health 511 48 — 559 8.6 % Total earned premiums $ 9,574 $ 306 $ 2,609 $ 7,271 4.2 % (In millions) Direct Assumed Ceded Net Assumed/ Net % 2015 Written Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,852 $ 270 $ 3,702 $ 6,420 4.2 % Accident and health 493 49 — 542 9.0 % Total written premiums $ 10,345 $ 319 $ 3,702 $ 6,962 4.6 % 2014 Written Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,283 $ 276 $ 3,024 $ 6,535 4.2 % Accident and health 504 49 — 553 8.9 % Total written premiums $ 9,787 $ 325 $ 3,024 $ 7,088 4.6 % 2013 Written Premiums Property and casualty $ 9,103 $ 249 $ 2,556 $ 6,796 3.7 % Accident and health 505 47 — 552 8.5 % Total written premiums $ 9,608 $ 296 $ 2,556 $ 7,348 4.0 %

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt instruments	December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 Short term debt: Senior notes of CNAF, 6.500%, face amount of $350, due August 15, 2016 $ 350 $ — Long term debt: Senior notes of CNAF: 6.500%, face amount of $350, due August 15, 2016 — 349 6.950%, face amount of $150, due January 15, 2018 150 150 7.350%, face amount of $350, due November 15, 2019 349 348 5.875%, face amount of $500, due August 15, 2020 497 497 5.750%, face amount of $400, due August 15, 2021 397 397 3.950%, face amount of $550, due May 15, 2024 547 547 Debenture of CNAF, 7.250%, face amount of $243, due November 15, 2023 242 241 Subordinated variable rate debt of Hardy, face amount of $30, due September 15, 2036 30 30 Total long term debt 2,212 2,559 Total debt $ 2,562 $ 2,559
Maturity of debt	The combined aggregate maturities for debt as of December 31, 2015 are presented in the following table. (In millions) 2016 $ 350 2017 — 2018 150 2019 350 2020 500 Thereafter 1,223 Less discount (11 ) Total $ 2,562

Benefit Plans (Tables)

Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Funded status	The following table presents a reconciliation of benefit obligations and plan assets. Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Benefit obligation as of January 1 $ 3,019 $ 2,943 $ 29 $ 40 Changes in benefit obligation: Service cost 4 9 — — Interest cost 112 132 1 1 Participants' contributions — — 4 5 Plan amendments (55 ) (3 ) — (7 ) Actuarial (gain) loss (79 ) 367 (3 ) 1 Benefits paid (173 ) (165 ) (8 ) (11 ) Settlements — (257 ) — — Foreign currency translation and other (7 ) (7 ) — — Benefit obligation as of December 31 2,821 3,019 23 29 Fair value of plan assets as of January 1 2,456 2,656 — — Change in plan assets: Actual return on plan assets (18 ) 216 — — Company contributions 10 12 4 6 Participants' contributions — — 4 5 Benefits paid (173 ) (165 ) (8 ) (11 ) Settlements — (257 ) — — Foreign currency translation and other (8 ) (6 ) — — Fair value of plan assets as of December 31 2,267 2,456 — — Funded status $ (554 ) $ (563 ) $ (23 ) $ (29 ) Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31: Other assets $ 12 $ 9 $ — $ — Other liabilities (566 ) (572 ) (23 ) (29 ) Net amount recognized $ (554 ) $ (563 ) $ (23 ) $ (29 ) Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income, not yet recognized in net periodic cost (benefit): Prior service credit $ — $ — $ (6 ) $ (9 ) Net actuarial loss 999 974 3 8 Net amount recognized $ 999 $ 974 $ (3 ) $ (1 )
Components of net periodic cost (benefit)	The components of net periodic cost (benefit) are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pension cost (benefit) Service cost $ 4 $ 9 $ 12 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 112 132 121 Expected return on plan assets (174 ) (191 ) (181 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 34 25 47 Settlement loss — 84 3 Net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ (24 ) $ 59 $ 2 Postretirement cost (benefit) Service cost $ — $ — $ 1 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 1 1 1 Amortization of prior service credit (3 ) (10 ) (18 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 1 1 2 Curtailment gain — (86 ) — Net periodic postretirement cost (benefit) $ (1 ) $ (94 ) $ (14 )
Schedule of amounts recognized in Other comprehensive income	The amounts recognized in Other comprehensive income are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Pension and postretirement benefits Amounts arising during the period $ (111 ) $ (337 ) $ 422 Curtailment and other 56 (81 ) — Settlement — 84 — Reclassification adjustment relating to prior service credit (3 ) (10 ) (18 ) Reclassification adjustment relating to actuarial loss 35 26 49 Total increase (decrease) in Other comprehensive income $ (23 ) $ (318 ) $ 453
Schedule of estimated amounts to be recognized from Accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost (benefit) during next fiscal year	The table below presents the estimated amounts to be recognized from AOCI into net periodic cost (benefit) during 2016 . (In millions) Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Amortization of prior service credit $ — $ (2 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 37 — Total estimated amounts to be recognized $ 37 $ (2 )
Actuarial assumptions for benefit obligations and for net cost or benefit	Actuarial assumptions used for the CNA Retirement Plan and CNA Health and Group Benefits Program to determine benefit obligations are presented in the following table. December 31 2015 2014 Pension benefits Discount rate 4.150 % 3.850 % Expected long term rate of return 7.500 7.500 Rate of compensation increases N/A 3.920 Postretirement benefits Discount rate 2.750 % 2.500 % Actuarial assumptions used for the CNA Retirement Plan and CNA Health and Group Benefits Program to determine net cost or benefit are presented in the following table. Years ended December 31 2015 2014 2013 Pension benefits Discount rate 3.850%/4.000% 4.650 % 3.800 % Expected long term rate of return 7.500 7.500 7.750 Rate of compensation increases 3.920 3.990 4.066 Postretirement benefits Discount rate 2.500 % 3.600%/3.100% 2.800 %
Fair value of plan assets measured on a recurring basis	Pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as cash are presented in the following tables. December 31, 2015 (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets at Fair Value Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ — $ 455 $ 10 $ 465 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 106 — 106 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 133 — 133 Commercial mortgage-backed — 69 — 69 Other asset-backed — 11 — 11 Total asset-backed — 213 — 213 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises — — — — Total fixed maturity securities — 774 10 784 Equity securities 336 107 — 443 Derivative financial instruments 1 — — 1 Short term investments 24 28 — 52 Limited partnerships: Hedge funds — 516 296 812 Private equity — — 123 123 Total limited partnerships — 516 419 935 Other assets — 52 — 52 Total assets $ 361 $ 1,477 $ 429 $ 2,267 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets at Fair Value Assets Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ — $ 463 $ 15 $ 478 States, municipalities and political subdivisions — 80 — 80 Asset-backed: Residential mortgage-backed — 123 — 123 Commercial mortgage-backed — 75 — 75 Other asset-backed — 12 — 12 Total asset-backed — 210 — 210 U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises 25 — — 25 Total fixed maturity securities 25 753 15 793 Equity securities 389 118 — 507 Derivative financial instruments 1 — — 1 Short term investments 33 101 — 134 Limited partnerships: Hedge funds — 562 303 865 Private equity — — 113 113 Total limited partnerships — 562 416 978 Other assets — 30 — 30 Cash 13 — — 13 Total assets $ 461 $ 1,564 $ 431 $ 2,456
Reconciliation of level 3 plan assets	The tables below present a reconciliation for all pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2015 Actual return on assets still held as of December 31, 2015 Actual return on assets sold during the year ended December 31, 2015 Purchases, sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of December 31, 2015 Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 15 $ — $ — $ — $ (5 ) $ 10 Limited partnerships: Hedge funds 303 18 — (25 ) — 296 Private equity 113 9 — 1 — 123 Total limited partnerships 416 27 — (24 ) — 419 Total $ 431 $ 27 $ — $ (24 ) $ (5 ) $ 429 Level 3 (In millions) Balance as of January 1, 2014 Actual return on assets still held as of December 31, 2014 Actual return on assets sold during the year ended December 31, 2014 Purchases, sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of December 31, 2014 Fixed maturity securities: Corporate and other bonds $ 15 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 15 Equity securities 8 — — (8 ) — — Limited partnerships: Hedge funds 322 19 — (38 ) — 303 Private equity 114 19 — (20 ) — 113 Total limited partnerships 436 38 — (58 ) — 416 Total $ 459 $ 38 $ — $ (66 ) $ — $ 431
Estimated future minimum benefit payments to participants	The table below presents the estimated future minimum benefit payments to participants as of December 31, 2015 . (In millions) Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits 2016 $ 180 $ 4 2017 183 4 2018 184 3 2019 183 3 2020 185 2 2021-2025 915 7

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Restricted shares, performance-based restricted share units and performance share unit activity	The following table presents activity for non-vested RSUs, performance-based RSUs and performance share units under the Plan in 2015 . Number of Awards Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Balance as of January 1, 2015 914,181 $ 32.76 Awards granted 301,057 41.04 Awards vested (429,352 ) 29.54 Awards forfeited, canceled or expired (6,546 ) 37.53 Performance-based adjustment (44,077 ) 37.47 Balance as of December 31, 2015 735,263 $ 36.53

Other Intangible Assets (Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets	Other intangible assets are presented in the following table. December 31 2015 2014 (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 $ 57 $ 57 $ 60 $ 61 Trade name 8 years 7 3 8 3 Distribution channel 15 years 12 3 12 2 Total finite-lived intangible assets 76 63 80 66 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Syndicate capacity 52 55 Agency force 16 16 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets 68 71 Total other intangible assets $ 144 $ 63 $ 151 $ 66

Operating Leases, Commitments44

Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees [Abstract]
Future minimum lease payments	The table below presents the future minimum lease payments to be made under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2015 . (In millions) Future Minimum Lease Payments 2016 $ 35 2017 31 2018 30 2019 25 2020 23 Thereafter 117 Total $ 261

Stockholders' Equity and Stat45

Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices [Abstract]
Combined statutory capital and surplus and net income (loss)	Combined statutory capital and surplus and statutory net income (loss), determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance and/or other regulatory authorities for the Combined Continental Casualty Companies and the life company, are presented in the table below. Statutory Capital and Surplus Statutory Net Income (Loss) December 31 Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 (a) 2014 2015 (a) 2014 2013 Combined Continental Casualty Companies $ 10,723 $ 11,155 $ 1,148 $ 914 $ 913 Life company 37 48 (a) Information derived from the statutory-basis financial statements to be filed with insurance regulators.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi46

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	The table below displays the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component. (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 as of December 31, 2014 $ 36 $ 942 $ (633 ) $ 55 $ 400 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (23 ) (595 ) (36 ) (139 ) (793 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $8, $30, $11, $- and $49 (14 ) (43 ) (21 ) — (78 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $5, $282, $8, $- and $295 (9 ) (552 ) (15 ) (139 ) (715 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 27 $ 390 $ (648 ) $ (84 ) $ (315 ) (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 as of December 31, 2013 $ 26 $ 692 $ — $ (426 ) $ 150 442 Change due to sale of subsidiaries (5 ) (17 ) 22 — — — Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 15 295 12 (219 ) (95 ) 8 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $-, $(10), $(23),$7, $- and $(26) — 28 34 (12 ) — 50 Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit of $(8), $(122), $15, $111, $- and $(4) 15 267 (22 ) (207 ) (95 ) (42 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 36 $ 942 $ — $ (633 ) $ 55 $ 400

Business Segments (Tables)

Business Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Significant components of the Company's continuing operations and selected balance sheet items	The Company's results of continuing operations and selected balance sheet items by segment are presented in the following tables. Year ended December 31, 2015 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core (In millions) Eliminations Total Net written premiums $ 2,781 $ 2,818 $ 822 $ 542 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 6,962 Operating revenues Net earned premiums $ 2,782 $ 2,788 $ 804 $ 548 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 6,921 Net investment income 474 593 52 704 17 — 1,840 Other revenues 356 37 (1 ) 7 11 (3 ) 407 Total operating revenues 3,612 3,418 855 1,259 29 (5 ) 9,168 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Net incurred claims and benefits 1,597 1,814 479 1,421 61 — 5,372 Policyholders’ dividends 4 8 — — — — 12 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 589 469 168 314 — — 1,540 Other insurance related expenses 278 538 138 142 (1 ) (2 ) 1,093 Other expenses 301 28 12 11 186 (3 ) 535 Total claims, benefits and expenses 2,769 2,857 797 1,888 246 (5 ) 8,552 Operating income (loss) before income tax 843 561 58 (629 ) (217 ) — 616 Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) (283 ) (192 ) (21 ) 315 80 — (101 ) Net operating income (loss) 560 369 37 (314 ) (137 ) — 515 Net realized investment gains (losses) (33 ) (47 ) 1 (1 ) 13 — (67 ) Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) 11 16 — 9 (5 ) — 31 Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax (22 ) (31 ) 1 8 8 — (36 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 538 $ 338 $ 38 $ (306 ) $ (129 ) $ — $ 479 December 31, 2015 (In millions) Reinsurance receivables $ 724 $ 639 $ 144 $ 497 $ 2,487 $ — $ 4,491 Insurance receivables 890 993 233 11 2 — 2,129 Deferred acquisition costs 307 213 78 — — — 598 Goodwill 117 — 33 — — — 150 Insurance reserves Claim and claim adjustment expenses 6,269 9,183 1,347 3,220 2,644 — 22,663 Unearned premiums 1,839 1,297 415 120 — — 3,671 Future policy benefits — — — 10,152 — — 10,152 Year ended December 31, 2014 Specialty Commercial International Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core (In millions) Eliminations Total Net written premiums $ 2,839 $ 2,817 $ 880 $ 553 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 7,088 Operating revenues Net earned premiums $ 2,838 $ 2,906 $ 913 $ 556 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 7,212 Net investment income 560 723 61 700 23 — 2,067 Other revenues 295 38 — 16 12 (5 ) 356 Total operating revenues 3,693 3,667 974 1,272 36 (7 ) 9,635 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Net incurred claims and benefits 1,627 2,187 488 1,304 (29 ) — 5,577 Policyholders’ dividends 6 8 — — — — 14 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 592 493 204 28 — — 1,317 Other insurance related expenses 262 487 151 130 1 (2 ) 1,029 Other expenses 254 31 28 30 210 (5 ) 548 Total claims, benefits and expenses 2,741 3,206 871 1,492 182 (7 ) 8,485 Operating income (loss) before income tax 952 461 103 (220 ) (146 ) — 1,150 Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) (318 ) (154 ) (34 ) 151 54 — (301 ) Net operating income (loss) 634 307 69 (69 ) (92 ) — 849 Net realized investment gains (losses) 15 16 (1 ) 7 20 — 57 Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) (5 ) (6 ) 1 — (8 ) — (18 ) Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax 10 10 — 7 12 — 39 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 644 $ 317 $ 69 $ (62 ) $ (80 ) $ — $ 888 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Reinsurance receivables $ 567 $ 690 $ 207 $ 525 $ 2,753 $ — $ 4,742 Insurance receivables 778 954 250 13 2 — 1,997 Deferred acquisition costs 304 213 83 — — — 600 Goodwill 117 — 35 — — — 152 Insurance reserves Claim and claim adjustment expenses 6,229 9,514 1,441 3,183 2,904 — 23,271 Unearned premiums 1,763 1,273 431 125 — — 3,592 Future policy benefits — — — 9,490 — — 9,490 Policyholders’ funds 9 18 — — — — 27 Year ended December 31, 2013 Specialty Commercial Life & Group Non-Core Corporate & Other Non-Core (In millions) International Eliminations Total Net written premiums $ 2,880 $ 2,960 $ 959 $ 552 $ (1 ) $ (2 ) $ 7,348 Operating revenues Net earned premiums $ 2,795 $ 3,004 $ 916 $ 559 $ (1 ) $ (2 ) $ 7,271 Net investment income 629 899 60 662 32 — 2,282 Other revenues 257 96 — (4 ) 12 (2 ) 359 Total operating revenues 3,681 3,999 976 1,217 43 (4 ) 9,912 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Net incurred claims and benefits 1,593 2,259 489 1,261 191 — 5,793 Policyholders’ dividends 6 7 — — — — 13 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 585 526 223 28 — — 1,362 Other insurance related expenses 250 498 140 130 (3 ) (2 ) 1,013 Other expenses 237 32 12 13 183 (2 ) 475 Total claims, benefits and expenses 2,671 3,322 864 1,432 371 (4 ) 8,656 Operating income (loss) before income tax 1,010 677 112 (215 ) (328 ) — 1,256 Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) (342 ) (229 ) (43 ) 141 118 — (355 ) Net operating income (loss) 668 448 69 (74 ) (210 ) — 901 Net realized investment gains (losses) (5 ) (15 ) 5 26 9 — 20 Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) 2 5 (2 ) (8 ) (3 ) — (6 ) Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax (3 ) (10 ) 3 18 6 — 14 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 665 $ 438 $ 72 $ (56 ) $ (204 ) $ — $ 915
Revenues by line of business	The following table presents revenue by line of business for each reportable segment. Revenues are comprised of operating revenues and net realized investment gains and losses. Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Specialty Management & Professional Liability $ 2,617 $ 2,818 $ 2,836 Surety 502 509 490 Warranty & Alternative Risks 460 381 350 Specialty revenues 3,579 3,708 3,676 Commercial Middle Market 1,623 1,631 1,642 Small Business 616 709 754 Other Commercial Insurance 1,132 1,343 1,588 Commercial revenues 3,371 3,683 3,984 International Canada 214 273 289 CNA Europe 309 335 326 Hardy 333 365 366 International revenues 856 973 981 Life & Group Non-Core revenues 1,258 1,279 1,243 Corporate & Other Non-Core revenues 42 56 52 Eliminations (5 ) (7 ) (4 ) Total revenues $ 9,101 $ 9,692 $ 9,932

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Results of discontinued operations	The results of discontinued operations reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows: Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2014 2013 Revenues Net earned premiums $ — $ — Net investment income 94 168 Net realized investment gains 3 11 Other revenues — 2 Total revenues 97 181 Claims, Benefits and Expenses Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits 75 141 Other operating expenses 2 3 Total claims, benefits and expenses 77 144 Income before income tax 20 37 Income tax expense (6 ) (15 ) Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax 14 22 Loss on sale, net of income tax benefit of $40 and $- (211 ) — (Loss) income from discontinued operations $ (197 ) $ 22

Quarterly Financial Data (Una49

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of quarterly financial information	The following tables present unaudited quarterly financial data. 2015 (In millions, except per share data) First Second Third Fourth Full Year Revenues $ 2,352 $ 2,327 $ 2,153 $ 2,269 $ 9,101 Net income (loss) (a) $ 233 $ 138 $ 178 $ (70 ) $ 479 Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.86 $ 0.51 $ 0.66 $ (0.26 ) $ 1.77 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.86 $ 0.51 $ 0.66 $ (0.26 ) $ 1.77 2014 (In millions, except per share data) First Second Third Fourth Full Year Revenues $ 2,463 $ 2,440 $ 2,411 $ 2,378 $ 9,692 Net income (loss) (b) $ 13 $ 267 $ 213 $ 198 $ 691 Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.05 $ 0.99 $ 0.79 $ 0.73 $ 2.56 Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.05 $ 0.98 $ 0.79 $ 0.73 $ 2.55 (a) Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business. (b) Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Schedule II. Condensed Financ50

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	CNA Financial Corporation Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Revenues Net investment income $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 Net realized investment gains 5 4 4 Total revenues 6 5 5 Expenses Administrative and general 1 5 (7 ) Interest 154 182 165 Total expenses 155 187 158 Loss from operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries (149 ) (182 ) (153 ) Income tax benefit 34 35 22 Loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries (115 ) (147 ) (131 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 594 838 1,068 Net income 479 691 937 Equity in other comprehensive income of subsidiaries (715 ) (42 ) (389 ) Total Comprehensive (Loss) Income $ (236 ) $ 649 $ 548
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	CNA Financial Corporation Balance Sheets December 31 (In millions, except share data) 2015 2014 Assets Investment in subsidiaries $ 13,851 $ 14,867 Cash 4 1 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $0 and $1) — 1 Short term investments 478 499 Other assets 3 3 Total assets $ 14,336 $ 15,371 Liabilities Short term debt $ 350 $ — Long term debt 2,182 2,529 Other liabilities 48 48 Total liabilities 2,580 2,577 Stockholders' Equity Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 270,274,361 and 269,980,202 shares outstanding) 683 683 Additional paid-in capital 2,153 2,151 Retained earnings 9,313 9,645 Accumulated other comprehensive income (315 ) 400 Treasury stock (2,765,882 and 3,060,041 shares), at cost (78 ) (84 ) Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock — (1 ) Total stockholders' equity 11,756 12,794 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 14,336 $ 15,371
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	CNA Financial Corporation Statements of Cash Flows Years ended December 31 (In millions) 2015 2014 2013 Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income $ 479 $ 691 $ 937 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities: Equity in net income of subsidiaries (594 ) (838 ) (1,068 ) Dividends received from subsidiaries 900 650 400 Net realized investment gains (5 ) (4 ) (4 ) Other, net 4 14 8 Total adjustments 305 (178 ) (664 ) Net cash flows provided by operating activities 784 513 273 Cash Flows from Investing Activities Proceeds from fixed maturity securities — — 1 Change in short term investments 21 6 (57 ) Capital contributions to subsidiaries — (10 ) (12 ) Other, net 7 5 4 Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities 28 1 (64 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Dividends paid to common stockholders (811 ) (541 ) (216 ) Proceeds from the issuance of debt — 546 — Repayment of debt — (549 ) (3 ) Stock options exercised 1 5 2 Other, net 1 25 9 Net cash flows used by financing activities (809 ) (514 ) (208 ) Net change in cash 3 — 1 Cash, beginning of year 1 1 — Cash, end of year $ 4 $ 1 $ 1

Summary of Significant Accoun51

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss on reinsurance transaction		$ 34
Anticipated amounts due from insureds related to losses under deductible policies	$ 1,200	$ 1,400
Structured Settlement Annuities, Interest Rate, Low End	5.50%	5.50%
Maximum interest rate used in determining present value of obligations of structured settlements not funded by annuities	8.00%	8.00%
Discounted reserves for unfunded structured settlements	$ 560	$ 582
Discounted reserves for unfunded structure settlements, discount amount	$ 880	$ 924
Minimum interest rate used to discount workers' compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves	3.50%	3.50%
Maximum interest rate used to discount workers' compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves	6.80%	6.80%
Discounted reserves for worker's compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves	$ 2,600	$ 2,500
Discounted reserves for worker's compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves, discount amount	653	$ 654
Long term care premium deficiency	296
Write off of deferred acquisition cost asset due to long term care premium deficiency	289
Adjustment to Active life reserves due to premium deficiency	$ 7
Minimum interest rate used to calculate reserves for long term care products	6.60%	4.50%
Maximum interest rate used to calculate reserves for payout annuity contracts	7.00%	7.90%
Liability balance for guaranty fund	$ 129	$ 131
Percentage of billed receivables compared to total reinsurance receivables	4% or less
Deposit assets	$ 3	3
Deposit liabilities	8	9
Investments in life settlement contracts	74	82
Increase (decrease) in fair value recognized on life settlement contracts	1	8	$ (2)
Gain recognized on matured life settlement contracts	24	25	15
Decreased Net Investment Income and amortized cost of fixed maturity securities due to a change in estimate effected by a change in accounting principle	$ 39
Decrease of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share due to change in estimate effected by a change in accounting principle	$ 0.09
Decrease in shadow adjustment, net of tax	$ 177
Increase in shadow adjustment, net of tax		756
Reduction of net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI due to shadow adjustments	1,111	1,288
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss), before tax	$ (11)	$ (25)	$ 2
Weighted average number diluted shares outstanding adjustment	534	675	552
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	106	170	111
Interest paid, net	$ 152	$ 179	$ 164
Income taxes paid	$ 310	$ 313	$ 129
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	50 years
Minimum [Member]
Requisite service period for stock- based compensation expense	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Requisite service period for stock- based compensation expense	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years

Summary of Significant Accoun52

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Life Settlement Contracts) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Life Settlement Contracts, Fair Value Method, Number of Contracts, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts, maturing in next twelve months	60
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts, maturing in year two	60
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts, maturing in year three	50
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts, maturing in year four	40
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts, maturing in year five	40
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts, maturing after year five	300
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, number of contracts	550
Life settlement contracts, fair value, maturing in next twelve months	$ 11
Life settlement contracts, fair value, maturing in year two	10
Life settlement contracts, fair value, maturing in year three	8
Life settlement contracts, fair value, maturing in year four	6
Life settlement contracts, fair value, maturing in year five	5
Life settlement contracts, fair value, maturing after year five	34
Life settlement contracts, fair value	74	$ 82
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value, maturing in next twelve months	35
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value, maturing in year two	31
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value, maturing in year three	27
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value, maturing in year four	24
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value, maturing in year five	21
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value, maturing after year five	167
Life settlement contracts, fair value method, face value	$ 305

Investments (Narrative) (Detail

Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract]
Non-income producing fixed maturity securities	$ 54	$ 0
Investments that exceed ten percent of stockholders' equity	0	0
Fixed maturity securities and equity securities in the energy and metals and mining sectors, at fair value	2,533
Fixed maturity securities and equity securities in the energy and metals and mining sectors, amortized cost or cost basis	2,658
Fixed maturity securities and equity securities in the energy and metals and mining sectors, at fair value, unrealized loss position	1,340
Fixed maturity securities and equity securities in the energy and metals and mining sectors, amortized cost or cost basis, unrealized loss position	1,554
Limited partnership investments	2,548	2,937
Undistributed earnings of limited partnership investments	$ 687	$ 1,040
Percentage of limited partnerships reported on a current basis	63.00%
Percentage of limited partnerships reported on a one month lag	16.00%
Percentage of limited partnerships employing hedge fund strategies focused on fixed income and equity investments	70.00%	73.00%
Limited partnerships invested in private debt and equity	26.00%	23.00%
Percentage of equity related limited partnership hedge fund strategies	54.00%
Percentage of multistrategy approach limited partnership hedge fund strategies	28.00%
Percentage of distressed investments limited partnership hedge fund strategies	16.00%
Percentage of fixed income limited partnership hedge fund strategies	2.00%
Carrying value of ten largest limited partnerships	$ 1,221	$ 1,492
Carrying value of limited partnerships as percentage of aggregate partnership equity	3.00%	4.00%
Income As Percentage Of Change In Partnership Equity For All Limited Partnerships	3.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 0	$ 0
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	0	0
Commercial mortgage loans past due or in non-accrual status	0	0
Valuation allowances recorded on commercial mortgage loans	0	0
Future capital call commitments for limited partnership investments	398
Mortgage loan commitments	12
Commitments to purchase or fund privately placed debt securities	138
Commitments to sell various privately placed debt securities	67
Carrying value of securities deposited under requirements of regulatory authorities	2,800	3,000
Cash and securities deposited as collateral for letters of credit	364	361
Carrying value of assets deposited to secure reinsurance and third party obligations	$ 263	$ 302

Investments (Net investment inc

Investments (Net investment income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	$ 1,903	$ 2,125	$ 2,335
Investment expense	(63)	(58)	(53)
Net investment income	1,840	2,067	2,282
Fixed maturity securities [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	1,751	1,803	1,827
Short term investments [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	6	3	3
Limited partnership investments [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	92	263	451
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	12	12	12
Mortgage loans [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	33	31	23
Trading portfolio [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	8	10	17
Other [Member]
Net Investment Income [Line Items]
Gross investment income	$ 1	$ 3	$ 2

Investments (Net realized inves

Investments (Net realized investment gains (losses)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$ (67)	$ 57	$ 20
Fixed maturity securities [Member]
Gross realized gains	131	170	185
Gross realized losses	(197)	(129)	(144)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(66)	41	41
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Gross realized gains	2	8	13
Gross realized losses	(25)	(7)	(35)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(23)	1	(22)
Derivative [Member]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	10	(1)	(9)
Short term investments and other [Member]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$ 12	$ 16	$ 10

Investments (Net change in unre

Investments (Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	$ (1,119)	$ 1,517	$ (2,556)
Fixed maturity securities [Member]
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(1,114)	1,511	(2,541)
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(6)	6	(15)
Other [Member]
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	$ 1	$ 0	$ 0

Investments (Components of othe

Investments (Components of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	$ 156	$ 77	$ 76
Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	104	18	20
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	18	46	0
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	8	5	19
Other asset-backed [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	1	1	2
Total asset-backed [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	9	6	21
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	131	70	41
Common stock [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	25	7	8
Preferred stock [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	0	26
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	25	7	34
Short term investments [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1

Investments (Summary of fixed m

Investments (Summary of fixed maturity and equity securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 37,444	$ 37,545
Gross Unrealized Gain	2,717	3,544
Gross Unrealized Loss	392	99
Estimated fair value	39,769	40,990
Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	17,080	17,210
Gross Unrealized Gain	1,019	1,721
Gross Unrealized Loss	342	61
Estimated fair value	17,757	18,870
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	0	0
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	11,729	11,285
Gross Unrealized Gain	1,453	1,463
Gross Unrealized Loss	8	8
Estimated fair value	13,174	12,740
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	(4)	0
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,935	5,028
Gross Unrealized Gain	154	218
Gross Unrealized Loss	17	13
Estimated fair value	5,072	5,233
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	(37)	(53)
Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,154	2,056
Gross Unrealized Gain	55	93
Gross Unrealized Loss	12	5
Estimated fair value	2,197	2,144
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	0	(2)
Other asset-backed [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	923	1,234
Gross Unrealized Gain	6	11
Gross Unrealized Loss	8	10
Estimated fair value	921	1,235
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	0	0
Total asset-backed [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	8,012	8,318
Gross Unrealized Gain	215	322
Gross Unrealized Loss	37	28
Estimated fair value	8,190	8,612
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	(37)	(55)
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	62	26
Gross Unrealized Gain	5	5
Gross Unrealized Loss	0	0
Estimated fair value	67	31
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	0	0
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	334	438
Gross Unrealized Gain	13	16
Gross Unrealized Loss	1	0
Estimated fair value	346	454
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	0	0
Redeemable preferred stock [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	33	39
Gross Unrealized Gain	2	3
Gross Unrealized Loss	0	0
Estimated fair value	35	42
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	0	0
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	37,250	37,316
Gross Unrealized Gain	2,707	3,530
Gross Unrealized Loss	388	97
Estimated fair value	39,569	40,749
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains)	(41)	(55)
Total fixed maturity securities trading [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost, Trading Securities	3	19
Estimated Fair Value, Trading Securities	3	19
Common stock [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	46	38
Gross Unrealized Gain	3	9
Gross Unrealized Loss	1	0
Estimated fair value	48	47
Preferred stock [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	145	172
Gross Unrealized Gain	7	5
Gross Unrealized Loss	3	2
Estimated fair value	149	175
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Cost or Amortized Cost	191	210
Gross Unrealized Gain	10	14
Gross Unrealized Loss	4	2
Estimated fair value	$ 197	$ 222

Investments (Securities in a gr

Investments (Securities in a gross unrealized loss position) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	$ 7,464	$ 2,855
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	342	70
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	502	707
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	50	29
Estimated Fair Value, Total	7,966	3,562
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	392	99
Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	4,882	1,330
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	302	46
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	162	277
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	40	15
Estimated Fair Value, Total	5,044	1,607
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	342	61
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	338	335
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	8	5
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	75	127
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	3
Estimated Fair Value, Total	413	462
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	8	8
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	963	293
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	9	5
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	164	189
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	8	8
Estimated Fair Value, Total	1,127	482
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	17	13
Commercial mortgage-backed [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	652	264
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	10	2
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	96	99
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	2	3
Estimated Fair Value, Total	748	363
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	12	5
Other asset-backed [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	552	607
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	8	10
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	5	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	557	614
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	8	10
Total asset-backed [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	2,167	1,164
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	27	17
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	265	295
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	10	11
Estimated Fair Value, Total	2,432	1,459
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	37	28
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	4	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	0	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	4	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	54	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1	0
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	0	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	54	6
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	1	0
Redeemable preferred stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	3	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	3	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	7,448	2,838
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	338	68
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	502	706
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	50	29
Estimated Fair Value, Total	7,950	3,544
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	388	97
Common stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	1
Preferred stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	13	17
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	3	2
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	0	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	13	18
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	3	$ 2
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	16
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	4
Estimated Fair Value, 12 Months or Longer	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0
Estimated Fair Value, Total	16
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 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 ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$ 62	$ 74	$ 95
Additional credit losses for securities for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized	0	0	2
Reductions for securities sold during the period	(9)	(9)	(23)
Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell	0	(3)	0
Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities	$ 53	$ 62	$ 74

Investments (Contractual maturi

Investments (Contractual maturity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, cost or amortized cost	$ 1,574	$ 2,479
Due after one year through five years, cost or amortized cost	7,721	9,054
Due after five years through ten years, cost or amortized cost	14,652	12,055
Due after ten years, cost or amortized cost	13,303	13,728
Total Amortized Cost Basis	37,250	37,316
Due in one year or less, estimated fair value	1,595	2,511
Due after one year through five years, estimated fair value	8,070	9,605
Due after five years through ten years, estimated fair value	14,915	12,584
Due after ten years, estimated fair value	14,989	16,049
Total Estimated Fair Value	$ 39,569	$ 40,749

Investments Derivative Financia

Investments Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Estimated fair value asset	$ 0	$ 0
Estimated fair value (liability)	(5)	3
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Currency forwards [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		9
Estimated fair value asset		0
Estimated fair value (liability)		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity warrants [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	5	5
Estimated fair value asset	0	0
Estimated fair value (liability)	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	179	184
Estimated fair value asset	0	0
Estimated fair value (liability)	$ (5)	$ 3

Fair Value (Assets and liabilit

Fair Value (Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	$ 41,469	$ 42,757
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	(5)	3
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	17,760	18,889
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	13,174	12,740
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	5,072	5,233
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	2,197	2,144
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	921	1,235
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	8,190	8,612
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	67	31
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	346	454
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	35	42
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	39,572	40,768
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	197	222
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	44	41
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	1,582	1,644
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	74	82
Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	(5)	3
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	726	957
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	0	0
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	0	32
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	0	0
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	0	0
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	0	0
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	0	0
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	0	0
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	66	28
Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	0	41
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	35	30
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	101	131
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	177	145
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	0	0
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	448	681
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	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	0	0
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	40,270	40,519
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	(5)	3
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	17,592	18,695
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	13,172	12,646
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	4,938	5,044
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	2,175	2,061
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	868	580
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	7,981	7,685
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	1	3
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	346	413
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	0	12
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	39,092	39,454
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	0	61
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	44	41
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	1,134	963
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	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	(5)	3
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	473	1,281
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	0	0
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	168	162
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	2	94
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	134	189
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	22	83
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	53	655
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	209	927
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	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets, measured on a recurring basis	0	0
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	0	0
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	379	1,183
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	20	16
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	0	0
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	0	0
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	74	82
Level 3 [Member] | Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities, measured on a recurring basis	$ 0	$ 0

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 ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	$ 1,281	$ 1,303
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	39	27
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(8)	46
Purchases	303	673
Sales	(276)	(386)
Settlements	(182)	(273)
Transfers into Level 3	79	107
Transfers out of Level 3	(763)	(216)
Balance, Ending, Assets	473	1,281
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(1)	7
Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	162	204
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	(2)	2
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(3)	(1)
Purchases	65	33
Sales	(13)	(23)
Settlements	(35)	(16)
Transfers into Level 3	40	18
Transfers out of Level 3	(46)	(55)
Balance, Ending, Assets	168	162
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(2)	0
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	94	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)	0	4
Purchases	0	14
Sales	0	(10)
Settlements	(10)	0
Transfers into Level 3	0	14
Transfers out of Level 3	(83)	0
Balance, Ending, Assets	2	94
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	189	331
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	5	(21)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(3)	61
Purchases	81	94
Sales	0	(174)
Settlements	(35)	(72)
Transfers into Level 3	14	32
Transfers out of Level 3	(117)	(62)
Balance, Ending, Assets	134	189
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	83	151
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	7	7
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	(6)
Purchases	23	28
Sales	0	(60)
Settlements	(17)	(29)
Transfers into Level 3	17	43
Transfers out of Level 3	(87)	(51)
Balance, Ending, Assets	22	83
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	0
Other asset-backed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	655	446
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	3	2
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(6)
Purchases	130	488
Sales	(263)	(111)
Settlements	(52)	(117)
Transfers into Level 3	7	0
Transfers out of Level 3	(430)	(47)
Balance, Ending, Assets	53	655
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	(1)
Total asset-backed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	927	928
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	15	(12)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	49
Purchases	234	610
Sales	(263)	(345)
Settlements	(104)	(218)
Transfers into Level 3	38	75
Transfers out of Level 3	(634)	(160)
Balance, Ending, Assets	209	927
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	(1)
Fixed maturity securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	1,183	1,203
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	14	(9)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(7)	52
Purchases	299	657
Sales	(276)	(378)
Settlements	(149)	(234)
Transfers into Level 3	78	107
Transfers out of Level 3	(763)	(215)
Balance, Ending, Assets	379	1,183
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(2)	(1)
Equity securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	16	11
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	0	3
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)	(6)
Purchases	4	16
Sales	0	(8)
Settlements	0	0
Transfers into Level 3	1	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Balance, Ending, Assets	20	16
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0	0
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	82	88
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)	25	33
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	0
Settlements	(33)	(39)
Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Balance, Ending, Assets	74	82
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	1	8
Separate account business [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning, Assets	$ 0	1
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income (loss)		0
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0
Purchases		0
Sales		0
Settlements		0
Transfers into Level 3		0
Transfers out of Level 3		(1)
Balance, Ending, Assets		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)		$ 0

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	$ 63	$ 24
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	$ 52	$ 1

Fair Value (Quantitative inform

Fair Value (Quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of level 3 assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 138	$ 101
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
fair value inputs, credit risk, counterparty	0.03	0.02
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
fair value inputs, credit risk, counterparty	1.84	0.13
Fixed maturity securities [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
fair value inputs, credit risk, counterparty	0.06	0.03
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 16
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Private offering price		$ 12
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Private offering price		4,391
Total equity securities available-for-sale [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Private offering price		$ 600
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	$ 74	$ 82
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	55.00%	55.00%
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	1676.00%	1676.00%
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	164.00%	163.00%
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 ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	$ 0	$ 1	$ 23	$ 21
Mortgage loans	678	588
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Short term debt	350	0
Long term debt	2,212	2,559
Carrying Amount [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock		1
Mortgage loans	678	588
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Short term debt	350
Long term debt	2,212	2,559
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock		1
Mortgage loans	688	608
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Short term debt	360
Long term debt	2,433	2,883
Level 1 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock		0
Mortgage loans	0	0
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Short term debt	0
Long term debt	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock		0
Mortgage loans	0	0
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Short term debt	360
Long term debt	2,433	2,883
Level 3 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock		1
Mortgage loans	688	608
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Short term debt	0
Long term debt	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income taxes received from (paid to) Loews	$ (256)	$ (287)	$ (89)
Unrecognized tax benefits	0	0
Interest income (expense)	0	0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense	0	0	0
Accrued interest and penalties	0	0
Deferred tax liability on undistributed income related to a foreign subsidiary	1
Undistributed Earnings from a Foreign Subsidiary	3
Foreign tax expense (benefit) on income from continuing operations	14	24	24
Income (loss) from continuing foreign operations	71	66	$ 101
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	0
Operating Loss Carryforwards	0
Valuation allowance	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes (Reconciliation be

Income Taxes (Reconciliation between the Company's federal income tax (expense) benefit at statutory rates and the recorded income tax (expense) benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Income tax expense at statutory rates	$ (192)	$ (423)	$ (447)
Tax benefit from tax exempt income	123	119	97
Foreign taxes and credits	9	(6)	(1)
Other tax expense	(10)	(9)	(10)
Income tax (expense) benefit	$ (70)	$ (319)	$ (361)

Income Taxes (Current and defer

Income Taxes (Current and deferred components of the Company's income tax (expense) benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Current tax (expense) benefit	$ (220)	$ (318)	$ (292)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit	150	(1)	(69)
Income tax (expense) benefit	$ (70)	$ (319)	$ (361)

Income Taxes (Significant compo

Income Taxes (Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Tax Assets:
Property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves	$ 178	$ 265
Unearned premium reserves	230	187
Receivables	29	35
Employee benefits	281	289
Life settlement contracts	48	46
Deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit	84	61
Investment valuation differences	29	0
Other assets	142	138
Gross deferred tax assets	1,021	1,021
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Investment valuation differences	0	50
Deferred acquisition costs	117	226
Net unrealized gains	202	489
Other liabilities	64	65
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	383	830
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$ 638	$ 191

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex72

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			48 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
Catastrophe losses net of reinsurance	$ 141	$ 156	$ 169
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development Life & Group	(50)	(14)	(9)
Commercial [Member]
Net Prior Year Claim and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense Reserve Development, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Pool		(26)
Loss Portfolio Transfer [Member]
Net A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves ceded to NICO					$ 1,600
Aggregate limit under A&EP Loss Portfolio Transfer					4,000
A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves ceded under existing third party reinsurance contracts transferred to NICO under A&EP Loss Portfolio Transfer					1,200
Reinsurance premium paid to NICO under A&EP Loss Portfolio Transfer					2,000
Net reinsurance receivables transferrred to NICO under A&EP Loss Portfolio Transfer					215
Total consideration paid to NICO under AEP Loss Portfolio Transfer					$ 2,200
Net AEP adverse development before consideration of LPT	150	0	$ 363	$ 900
Cumulative amounts ceded under AEP Loss Portfolio Transfer	2,600	2,500
Deferred reinsurance benefit yet to be recognized	241	176
Fair value of collateral trust account established by NICO under A&EP Loss Portfolio Transfer	$ 2,800	$ 3,400

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex73

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Reconcilliation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reserves, beginning of year: [Abstract]
Gross		$ 23,271	$ 24,089	$ 24,763
Ceded		4,344	4,972	5,126
Net reserves, beginning of year		18,927	19,117	19,637
Change in net reserves due to acquisition (disposition) of subsidiaries		0	(13)	0
Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses:
Provision for insured events of current year		4,934	5,043	5,114
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years		(255)	(36)	(115)
Amortization of discount		166	161	154
Total net incurred (a)	[1]	4,845	5,168	5,153
Net payments attributable to:
Current year events		(856)	(945)	(981)
Prior year events		(4,089)	(4,355)	(4,588)
Total net payments		(4,945)	(5,300)	(5,569)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other		(251)	(45)	(104)
Net reserves, end of year		18,576	18,927	19,117
Ceded reserves, end of year		4,087	4,344	4,972
Gross reserves, end of year		$ 22,663	$ 23,271	$ 24,089
[1]	Total net incurred above does not agree to Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits as reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to amounts related to retroactive reinsurance deferred gain accounting, uncollectible reinsurance and loss deductible receivables, and benefit expenses related to future policy benefits and policyholders' funds, which are not reflected in the table above.

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex74

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Gross and net carried claim and claim adjustment expense reserves) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gross Case Reserves	$ 12,102	$ 12,256
Gross IBNR Reserves	10,561	11,015
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	22,663	23,271	$ 24,089	$ 24,763
Net Case Reserves	9,836	10,190
Net IBNR Reserves	8,740	8,737
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	18,576	18,927	$ 19,117	$ 19,637
Specialty [Member]
Gross Case Reserves	2,011	2,136
Gross IBNR Reserves	4,258	4,093
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	6,269	6,229
Net Case Reserves	1,810	1,929
Net IBNR Reserves	3,758	3,726
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	5,568	5,655
Commercial [Member]
Gross Case Reserves	4,975	5,298
Gross IBNR Reserves	4,208	4,216
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	9,183	9,514
Net Case Reserves	4,651	4,947
Net IBNR Reserves	3,925	3,906
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	8,576	8,853
International [Member]
Gross Case Reserves	622	752
Gross IBNR Reserves	725	689
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	1,347	1,441
Net Case Reserves	531	598
Net IBNR Reserves	688	663
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	1,219	1,261
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]
Gross Case Reserves	2,973	2,881
Gross IBNR Reserves	247	302
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	3,220	3,183
Net Case Reserves	2,714	2,572
Net IBNR Reserves	216	271
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	2,930	2,843
Corporate and Other [Member]
Gross Case Reserves	1,521	1,189
Gross IBNR Reserves	1,123	1,715
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	2,644	2,904
Net Case Reserves	130	144
Net IBNR Reserves	153	171
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves	$ 283	$ 315

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex75

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Net prior year development) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (210)	$ (21)	$ (118)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	(8)	(32)	(42)
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	(218)	(53)	(160)
Specialty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	(141)	(136)	(196)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	(11)	(13)	(14)
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	(152)	(149)	(210)
Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	(15)	176	122
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	(15)	(20)	(8)
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	(30)	156	114
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	(54)	(59)	(38)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	18	2	(21)
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	(36)	(57)	(59)
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	0	(2)	(6)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development, excluding Life & Group	0	(1)	1
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development, excluding Life & Group	$ 0	$ (3)	$ (5)

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex76

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for Specialty segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (210)	$ (21)	$ (118)
Specialty [Member]
Medical Professional Liability	(43)	39	(27)
Other Professional Liability and Management Liability	0	(87)	(73)
Surety	(69)	(82)	(74)
Warranty	(2)	(2)	(3)
Other	(27)	(4)	(19)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (141)	$ (136)	$ (196)

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex77

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for Commercial segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (210)	$ (21)	$ (118)
Commercial [Member]
Commercial Auto	(22)	31	18
General Liability	(33)	45	64
Workers' Compensation	80	139	91
Property and Other	(40)	(39)	(51)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (15)	$ 176	$ 122

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex78

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves Net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development for International segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (210)	$ (21)	$ (118)
International [Member]
Medical Professional Liability	(9)	(7)	(7)
Other Professional Liability	(16)	(26)	(30)
Liability	(17)	(13)	(8)
Property & Marine	(29)	(14)	13
Other	17	(9)	(17)
Commutations	0	10	11
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development, excluding Life & Group	$ (54)	$ (59)	$ (38)

Claim and Claim Adjustment Ex79

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves (Impact of Loss Portfolio Transfer on the Consolidated Statement of Operations) (Details) - Loss Portfolio Transfer [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			48 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Net AEP adverse development before consideration of LPT	$ 150	$ 0	$ 363	$ 900
Provision for uncollectible third-party reinsurance on AEP	0	0	140
Additional amounts ceded under LPT	150	0	503
Retroactive reinsurance benefit recognized	(85)	(13)	(314)
Pretax impact of deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit	$ 65	$ (13)	$ 189

Reinsurance (Narrative) (Detail

Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Funds held under reinsurance agreements, liability	$ 3,200	$ 3,400
Reinsurance recoveries reported in insurance claims and policyholders' benefits reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations	2,601	1,379	$ 1,450
Subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Group [Member]
Largest Recoverables From Single Reinsurer	2,357
Gateway Rivers Insurance Company [Member]
Largest Recoverables From Single Reinsurer	284
Subsidiaries of Hartford Insurance Group [Member]
Largest Recoverables From Single Reinsurer	207
Significant Captive Program [Member]
Direct and ceded earned premiums	3,344	2,643	2,156
Reinsurance recoveries reported in insurance claims and policyholders' benefits reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations	$ 2,282	$ 1,458	$ 712

Reinsurance (Components of Rein

Reinsurance (Components of Reinsurance Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reinsurance receivables related to insurance reserves
Ceded claim and claim adjustment expenses	$ 4,087	$ 4,344	$ 4,972	$ 5,126
Ceded future policy benefits	207	185
Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses	197	213
Reinsurance receivables	4,491	4,742
Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance	(38)	(48)
Reinsurance receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible reinsurance	$ 4,453	$ 4,694

Reinsurance (Components of Earn

Reinsurance (Components of Earned Premiums) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Direct premiums earned	$ 10,351	$ 9,960	$ 9,574
Assumed premiums earned	324	325	306
Ceded premiums earned	3,754	3,073	2,609
Net earned premiums	6,921	7,212	7,271
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Direct premiums earned	9,853	9,452	9,063
Assumed premiums earned	274	277	258
Ceded premiums earned	3,754	3,073	2,609
Net earned premiums	6,373	6,656	6,712
Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Direct premiums earned	498	508	511
Assumed premiums earned	50	48	48
Ceded premiums earned	0	0	0
Net earned premiums	$ 548	$ 556	$ 559
Percentage of assumed premiums earned to net premiums earned [Member]
Percentage of assumed premium earned to premium earned net	4.70%	4.50%	4.20%
Percentage of assumed premiums earned to net premiums earned [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Percentage of assumed premium earned to premium earned net	4.30%	4.20%	3.80%
Percentage of assumed premiums earned to net premiums earned [Member] | Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Percentage of assumed premium earned to premium earned net	9.10%	8.60%	8.60%

Reinsurance (Components of Writ

Reinsurance (Components of Written Premiums) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Direct premiums written	$ 10,345	$ 9,787	$ 9,608
Assumed premiums written	319	325	296
Ceded premiums written	3,702	3,024	2,556
Net written premiums	6,962	7,088	7,348
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Direct premiums written	9,852	9,283	9,103
Assumed premiums written	270	276	249
Ceded premiums written	3,702	3,024	2,556
Net written premiums	6,420	6,535	6,796
Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Direct premiums written	493	504	505
Assumed premiums written	49	49	47
Ceded premiums written	0	0	0
Net written premiums	$ 542	$ 553	$ 552
Percentage of assumed premiums written to net premiums written [Member]
Percentage of assumed premium written to premium written net	4.60%	4.60%	4.00%
Percentage of assumed premiums written to net premiums written [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Percentage of assumed premium written to premium written net	4.20%	4.20%	3.70%
Percentage of assumed premiums written to net premiums written [Member] | Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Percentage of assumed premium written to premium written net	9.00%	8.90%	8.50%

Debt (Narrative) (Details)

Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock	$ 17
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, General Debt Obligations, Maximum Amount Available	349
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Branch of FHLB Bank, Amount of Advances	0	$ 0
Line of Credit, Current borrowing capacity	250
Additional borrowing capacity available	100
Line of Credit, Minimum Net Worth Required for Compliance	8,700
Line of Credit, Amount Outstanding	$ 0	$ 0

Debt (Schedule of debt instrume

Debt (Schedule of debt instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Long term debt	$ 2,212	$ 2,559
Total debt	2,562	2,559
Senior notes 6.500%, face amount of $350, due August 15, 2016 [Member]
Long term debt	0	349
Senior notes 6.950%, face amount $150, due January 15, 2018
Long term debt	150	150
Senior notes 7.350%, face amount $350, due November 15, 2019
Long term debt	349	348
Senior notes 5.875%, face amount $500, due August 15, 2020
Long term debt	497	497
Senior notes 5.750%, face amount $400, due August 15, 2021
Long term debt	397	397
Senior Notes, 3.950%, face amount of $550, due May 15, 2024
Long term debt	547	547
Debenture of CNAF, 7.250%, face amount of $243, due November 15, 2023
Long term debt	242	241
Subordinated variable rate debt of Hardy, face amount of $30, due September 15, 2036
Long term debt	30	30
Senior notes 6.500%, face amount of $350, due August 15, 2016 [Member]
Short term debt	$ 350	$ 0

Debt (Maturity of debt) (Detail

Debt (Maturity of debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Repayments of principal in the next twelve months	$ 350
Repayments of principal in year two	0
Repayments of principal in year three	150
Repayments of principal in year four	350
Repayments of principal in year five	500
Repayments of principal after year five	1,223
Less discount	(11)
Total debt	$ 2,562	$ 2,559

Benefit Plans (Narrative) (deta

Benefit Plans (Narrative) (details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Lump sum settlement acceptance rate by retirement plan participants			20.00%			20.00%
Lump sum pension settlement payment						$ 253
Settlement loss						84
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments					$ 55
Curtailment gain						(86)
Future capital call commitments for limited partnership investments	$ 398				$ 398
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent					50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match					70.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay					6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employers Matching Contribution, Vesting Period in Years					5 years
Company Contribution of Eligible Compensation, Depending on Age, Percent					3% or 5%
Benefit expense for the Company's savings plan					$ 71	$ 69	$ 71
Additional Contribution, Management Discretion [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match					80.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay					6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employers Matching Contribution, Vesting Period in Years					5 years
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount, Percent					2.00%
First Year of Employment [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match					35.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay					6.00%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Discount rate	4.00%	3.85%				4.65%	3.80%
Settlement loss					$ 0	$ 84	$ 3
Defined benefit plan, accumulated benefit obligation	$ 2,821		$ 2,962		2,821	2,962
Future capital call commitments for limited partnership investments	$ 98				$ 98
Limited partnership equity related hedge fund strategy plan assets	57.00%				57.00%
Limited partnership hedge fund multi strategy plan assets	37.00%				37.00%
Limited partnership hedge fund strategy distressed investments plan assets	6.00%				6.00%
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year					$ 11
Cost of Living Adjustment [Member]
Assumptions used in calculating assumed health care cost trend rate					4.00%
Employer Subsidy on Health Care Costs [Member]
Assumptions used in calculating assumed health care cost trend rate					4.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Discount rate			3.10%	3.60%	2.50%		2.80%
Curtailment gain					$ 0	$ (86)	$ 0
Defined benefit plan, health care cost trend rate assumed for next fiscal year					4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year					$ 4
Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Minimum					40.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations Range Maximum					60.00%

Benefit Plans (Funded Status) (

Benefit Plans (Funded Status) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at January 1	$ 3,019	$ 2,943
Service cost	4	9	$ 12
Interest cost	112	132	121
Participants' contributions	0	0
Plan amendments	(55)	(3)
Actuarial (gain) loss	(79)	367
Benefits paid	(173)	(165)
Settlements	0	(257)
Foreign currency translation and other	(7)	(7)
Benefit obligation at December 31	2,821	3,019	2,943
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	2,456	2,656
Actual return on plan assets	(18)	216
Company contributions	10	12
Participants' contributions	0	0
Benefits paid	(173)	(165)
Settlements	0	(257)
Foreign currency translation and other	(8)	(6)
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	2,267	2,456	2,656
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Funded status	(554)	(563)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Other assets	12	9
Other liabilities	(566)	(572)
Net amount recognized on balance sheets	(554)	(563)
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income not yet recognized in net periodic cost (benefit)[Abstract]
Prior service credit	0	0
Net actuarial (gain) loss	999	974
Net amount recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income	999	974
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at January 1	29	40
Service cost	0	0	1
Interest cost	1	1	1
Participants' contributions	4	5
Plan amendments	0	(7)
Actuarial (gain) loss	(3)	1
Benefits paid	(8)	(11)
Settlements	0	0
Foreign currency translation and other	0	0
Benefit obligation at December 31	23	29	40
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Company contributions	4	6
Participants' contributions	4	5
Benefits paid	(8)	(11)
Settlements	0	0
Foreign currency translation and other	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	0	0	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]
Funded status	(23)	(29)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Other assets	0	0
Other liabilities	(23)	(29)
Net amount recognized on balance sheets	(23)	(29)
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income not yet recognized in net periodic cost (benefit)[Abstract]
Prior service credit	(6)	(9)
Net actuarial (gain) loss	3	8
Net amount recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (3)	$ (1)

Benefit Plans (Components of ne

Benefit Plans (Components of net periodic cost (benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailment gain		$ (86)
Settlement loss		84
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 4	9	$ 12
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	112	132	121
Expected return on plan assets	(174)	(191)	(181)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	34	25	47
Settlement loss	0	84	3
Net periodic (benefit) cost	(24)	59	2
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	0	0	1
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1	1	1
Amortization of prior service credit	(3)	(10)	(18)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	1	1	2
Curtailment gain	0	(86)	0
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$ (1)	$ (94)	$ (14)

Benefit Plans (Schedule of amou

Benefit Plans (Schedule of amounts recognized in Other comprehensive income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, [Abstract]
Amounts arising during the period	$ (111)	$ (337)	$ 422
Curtailment and other	56	(81)	0
Settlement	0	84	0
Reclassification adjustment relating to prior service cost (credit)	(3)	(10)	(18)
Reclassification adjustment relating to actuarial (gain) loss	35	26	49
Total increase (decrease) in Other comprehensive income	$ (23)	$ (318)	$ 453

Benefit Plans (Schedule of esti

Benefit Plans (Schedule of estimated amounts to be recognized from Accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost (benefit) during next fiscal year) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) during 2016	$ 0
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss during 2016	37
Total estimated amounts to be recognized during 2016	37
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) during 2016	(2)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss during 2016	0
Total estimated amounts to be recognized during 2016	$ (2)

Benefit Plans (Actuarial Assump

Benefit Plans (Actuarial Assumptions for Benefit Obligations) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.15%	3.85%
Expected long term rate of return	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increases		3.92%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	2.75%	2.50%

Benefit Plans (Actuarial Assu93

Benefit Plans (Actuarial Assumptions for Net Cost or Benefit) (Details)	6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.00%	3.85%				4.65%	3.80%
Expected long term rate of return					7.50%	7.50%	7.75%
Rate of compensation increases					3.92%	3.99%	4.066%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate			3.10%	3.60%	2.50%		2.80%

Benefit Plans (Fair Value of Pl

Benefit Plans (Fair Value of Plan Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 465	$ 478
Corporate and other bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Corporate and other bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	455	463
Corporate and other bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	10	15	$ 15
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	106	80
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	106	80
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	133	123
Residential mortgage-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	133	123
Residential mortgage-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	69	75
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	69	75
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other asset-backed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	11	12
Other asset-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other asset-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	11	12
Other asset-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Total asset-backed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	213	210
Total asset-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Total asset-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	213	210
Total asset-backed [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	25
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	25
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	784	793
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	25
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	774	753
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	10	15	15
Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	443	507
Equity securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	336	389
Equity securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	107	118
Equity securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	8
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1	1
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1	1
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Short-term Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	52	134
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	24	33
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	28	101
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	812	865
Hedge Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Hedge Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	516	562
Hedge Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	296	303	322
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	123	113
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	123	113	114
Total limited partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	935	978
Total limited partnerships [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Total limited partnerships [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	516	562
Total limited partnerships [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	419	416	436
Other assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	52	30
Other assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	52	30
Other assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		13
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		13
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0
Total assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,267	2,456
Total assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	361	461
Total assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,477	1,564
Total assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 429	$ 431	$ 459

Benefit Plans (Reconciliation o

Benefit Plans (Reconciliation of Level 3 Plan Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	$ 478
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	465	$ 478
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	793
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	784	793
Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	507
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	443	507
Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	865
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	812	865
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	113
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	123	113
Total limited partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	978
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	935	978
Total assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	2,456
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	2,267	2,456
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate and other bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	15	15
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	(5)	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	10	15
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	15	15
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	(5)	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	10	15
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	0	8
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements		(8)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	303	322
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	18	19
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	(25)	(38)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	296	303
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	113	114
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	9	19
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	1	(20)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	123	113
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Total limited partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	416	436
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	27	38
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	(24)	(58)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	419	416
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Total assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	431	459
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	27	38
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	(24)	(66)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	(5)	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	$ 429	$ 431

Benefit Plans (Estimated Future

Benefit Plans (Estimated Future Minimum Benefit Payments to Participants) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One	$ 180
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two	183
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three	184
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four	183
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five	185
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	915
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One	4
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two	4
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three	3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four	3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five	2
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 7

Stock-Based Compensation (Narra

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	6,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,100,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 14	$ 11	$ 10
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	5	$ 4	3
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 10
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 5 months 17 days
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Period Following Date of Grant, in Years	4
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Period Following Date of Grant, in Years	4
Range of Shares Initially Granted Payable Based Upon Attainment of Specific Annual Performance Goals	0% to 100%
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Shares Initially Granted Payable Based Upon Attainment of Specific Annual Performance Goals	0% to 200%
Measurement Period of Specific Annual Performance Goals, in Years	3
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting Period Following Date of Grant, in Years	4
Stock Options and SARs, Maximum Term Following Date of Grant, in Years	10
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	1,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	1,000,000
Fair Value of Stock Based Awards Vested		$ 1	$ 1

Stock-Based Compensation (Restr

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted shares, performance-based restricted share units and performance share unit activity) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Number of nonvested awards at January 1 | shares	914,181
Weighted average grant date fair value of nonvested awards at January 1 | $ / shares	$ 32.76
Number of awards granted | shares	301,057
Weighted average grant date fair value of awards granted | $ / shares	$ 41.04
Number of awards vested | shares	(429,352)
Weighted average grant date fair value of awards vested | $ / shares	$ 29.54
Number of awards forfeited, canceled or expired | shares	(6,546)
Weighted average grant date fair value of awards forfeited, canceled or expired | $ / shares	$ 37.53
Performance-based adjustment | shares	(44,077)
Weighted average grant date fair value of performance based adjustment | $ / shares	$ 37.47
Number of nonvested awards at December 31 | shares	735,263
Weighted average grant date fair value of nonvested awards at December 31 | $ / shares	$ 36.53

Schedule of Other Intangible As

Schedule of Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	$ 1,540	$ 1,317	$ 1,362
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	1
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	2
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	2
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	2
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	1
International [Member]
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	168	204	223
International [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		2	15
Amortization expense included in other operating expenses	$ 1	$ 1	$ 5

Schedule of Other Intangible100

Schedule of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 68	$ 71
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	76	80
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	144	151
Accumulated Amortization	63	66
Lloyds syndicate capacity [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	52	55
Agency Force [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	16	16
Value of business acquired [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	57	60
Accumulated Amortization	$ 57	61
Trade name [Member]
Economic useful life measured in years	8 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	$ 7	8
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3	3
Distribution channel [Member]
Economic useful life measured in years	15 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	$ 12	12
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3	$ 2
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

Operating Leases, Commitment101

Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 12, 2016
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,000
Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	260
Guarantee agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	375
Guarantee and Indemnification [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	5	$ 5
Property Subject to Operating Lease [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	46	55	$ 46
Property Lease Guarantee [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 20
Sublease [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Sublease Revenue		$ 1	$ 3
Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months				$ 9
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years				10
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years				4
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years				0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years				5
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter				$ 138

Operating Leases, Commitment102

Operating Leases, Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees (Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Details) - Lease Agreements [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 35
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	31
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	30
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	25
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	23
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	117
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 261

Stockholders' Equity and Sta103

Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices [Abstract]
Increase in statutory capital and surplus due to prescribed practice	$ 90
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payment Before Consideration of Statutory Dividends Paid in the preceding twelve months	$ 1,079
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets	266.00%	270.00%
Statutory Accounting Practices, Dividends Paid in the preceding twelve months	$ 900

Stockholders' Equity and Sta104

Stockholders' Equity and Statutory Accounting Practices Combined statutory capital and surplus and net income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Combined Continental Casualty Companies [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory capital and surplus	$ 10,723	$ 11,155
Statutory net income (loss)	$ 1,148	914	$ 913
Life Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory net income (loss)		$ 37	$ 48

Accumulated Other Comprehens105

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	$ 400	$ 442
Transfer to net assets held for sale		0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(793)	8
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(78)	50
Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(715)	(42)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	(315)	400
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	49	(26)
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	295	(4)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	36	26
Transfer to net assets held for sale		(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(23)	15
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(14)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(9)	15
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	27	36
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	8	0
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	5	(8)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	942	692
Transfer to net assets held for sale		(17)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(595)	295
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(43)	28
Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(552)	267
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	390	942
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	30	(10)
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	282	(122)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Gains Losses on discontinued operations [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	0	0
Transfer to net assets held for sale		22
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications		12
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit		34
Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit		(22)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance		0
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(23)
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)		15
Pension and postretirement benefits [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	(633)	(426)
Transfer to net assets held for sale		0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(36)	(219)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(21)	(12)
Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(15)	(207)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	(648)	(633)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	11	7
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	8	111
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	55	150
Transfer to net assets held for sale		0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(139)	(95)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) benefit	(139)	(95)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	(84)	55
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	0	0
Tax (expense) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 0	$ 0

Business Segments (Narrative) (

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Percentage of direct foreign written premiums	8.00%	8.80%	9.00%

Business Segments (Income State

Business Segments (Income Statement Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	$ 6,962	$ 7,088	$ 7,348
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	6,921	7,212	7,271
Net investment income	1,840	2,067	2,282
Other revenues	407	356	359
Total operating revenues	9,168	9,635	9,912
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	5,372	5,577	5,793
Policyholders' dividends	12	14	13
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,540	1,317	1,362
Other insurance related expenses	1,093	1,029	1,013
Other expenses	535	548	475
Total claims, benefits and expenses	8,552	8,485	8,656
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	616	1,150	1,256
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(101)	(301)	(355)
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	515	849	901
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	(67)	57	20
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	31	(18)	(6)
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	(36)	39	14
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	479	888	915
Specialty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	2,781	2,839	2,880
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	2,782	2,838	2,795
Net investment income	474	560	629
Other revenues	356	295	257
Total operating revenues	3,612	3,693	3,681
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	1,597	1,627	1,593
Policyholders' dividends	4	6	6
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	589	592	585
Other insurance related expenses	278	262	250
Other expenses	301	254	237
Total claims, benefits and expenses	2,769	2,741	2,671
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	843	952	1,010
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(283)	(318)	(342)
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	560	634	668
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	(33)	15	(5)
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	11	(5)	2
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	(22)	10	(3)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	538	644	665
Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	2,818	2,817	2,960
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	2,788	2,906	3,004
Net investment income	593	723	899
Other revenues	37	38	96
Total operating revenues	3,418	3,667	3,999
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	1,814	2,187	2,259
Policyholders' dividends	8	8	7
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	469	493	526
Other insurance related expenses	538	487	498
Other expenses	28	31	32
Total claims, benefits and expenses	2,857	3,206	3,322
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	561	461	677
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(192)	(154)	(229)
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	369	307	448
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	(47)	16	(15)
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	16	(6)	5
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	(31)	10	(10)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	338	317	438
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	822	880	959
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	804	913	916
Net investment income	52	61	60
Other revenues	(1)	0	0
Total operating revenues	855	974	976
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	479	488	489
Policyholders' dividends	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	168	204	223
Other insurance related expenses	138	151	140
Other expenses	12	28	12
Total claims, benefits and expenses	797	871	864
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	58	103	112
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	(21)	(34)	(43)
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	37	69	69
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	1	(1)	5
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	0	1	(2)
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	1	0	3
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	38	69	72
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	542	553	552
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	548	556	559
Net investment income	704	700	662
Other revenues	7	16	(4)
Total operating revenues	1,259	1,272	1,217
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	1,421	1,304	1,261
Policyholders' dividends	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	314	28	28
Other insurance related expenses	142	130	130
Other expenses	11	30	13
Total claims, benefits and expenses	1,888	1,492	1,432
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(629)	(220)	(215)
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	315	151	141
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(314)	(69)	(74)
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	(1)	7	26
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	9	0	(8)
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	8	7	18
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(306)	(62)	(56)
Corporate and Other Non-Core [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	1	1	(1)
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	1	1	(1)
Net investment income	17	23	32
Other revenues	11	12	12
Total operating revenues	29	36	43
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	61	(29)	191
Policyholders' dividends	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	0	0	0
Other insurance related expenses	(1)	1	(3)
Other expenses	186	210	183
Total claims, benefits and expenses	246	182	371
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	(217)	(146)	(328)
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	80	54	118
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(137)	(92)	(210)
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	13	20	9
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	(5)	(8)	(3)
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	8	12	6
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(129)	(80)	(204)
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net written premiums	(2)	(2)	(2)
Operating Revenues
Net earned premiums	(2)	(2)	(2)
Net investment income	0	0	0
Other revenues	(3)	(5)	(2)
Total operating revenues	(5)	(7)	(4)
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Net incurred claims and benefits	0	0	0
Policyholders' dividends	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	0	0	0
Other insurance related expenses	(2)	(2)	(2)
Other expenses	(3)	(5)	(2)
Total claims, benefits and expenses	(5)	(7)	(4)
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax	0	0	0
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)	0	0	0
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations	0	0	0
Net realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax	0	0	0
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)	0	0	0
Net realized investment gains (losses), after tax	0	0	0
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Business Segments (Balance Shee

Business Segments (Balance Sheet Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	$ 4,491	$ 4,742
Insurance receivables	2,129	1,997
Deferred acquisition costs	598	600
Goodwill	150	152
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	22,663	23,271
Unearned premiums	3,671	3,592
Future policy benefits	10,152	9,490
Policyholders’ funds	0	27
Specialty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	724	567
Insurance receivables	890	778
Deferred acquisition costs	307	304
Goodwill	117	117
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	6,269	6,229
Unearned premiums	1,839	1,763
Future policy benefits	0	0
Policyholders’ funds		9
Commercial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	639	690
Insurance receivables	993	954
Deferred acquisition costs	213	213
Goodwill	0	0
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	9,183	9,514
Unearned premiums	1,297	1,273
Future policy benefits	0	0
Policyholders’ funds		18
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	144	207
Insurance receivables	233	250
Deferred acquisition costs	78	83
Goodwill	33	35
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	1,347	1,441
Unearned premiums	415	431
Future policy benefits	0	0
Policyholders’ funds		0
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	497	525
Insurance receivables	11	13
Deferred acquisition costs	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	3,220	3,183
Unearned premiums	120	125
Future policy benefits	10,152	9,490
Policyholders’ funds		0
Corporate and Other Non-Core [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	2,487	2,753
Insurance receivables	2	2
Deferred acquisition costs	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	2,644	2,904
Unearned premiums	0	0
Future policy benefits	0	0
Policyholders’ funds		0
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivables	0	0
Insurance receivables	0	0
Deferred acquisition costs	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Insurance reserves
Claim and claim adjustment expenses	0	0
Unearned premiums	0	0
Future policy benefits	$ 0	0
Policyholders’ funds		$ 0

Business Segments (Revenues by

Business Segments (Revenues by Line of Business) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues	$ 2,269	$ 2,153	$ 2,327	$ 2,352	$ 2,378	$ 2,411	$ 2,440	$ 2,463	$ 9,101	$ 9,692	$ 9,932
Specialty [Domain]
Revenues									3,579	3,708	3,676
Management & Professional Liability [Member]
Revenues									2,617	2,818	2,836
Surety [Member]
Revenues									502	509	490
Warranty & Alternative Risks [Member]
Revenues									460	381	350
Commercial [Domain]
Revenues									3,371	3,683	3,984
Middle Markets [Member]
Revenues									1,623	1,631	1,642
Small Business [Member]
Revenues									616	709	754
Other Commercial Insurance [Member]
Revenues									1,132	1,343	1,588
International [Domain]
Revenues									856	973	981
Canada [Member]
Revenues									214	273	289
CNA Europe [Member]
Revenues									309	335	326
Hardy [Member]
Revenues									333	365	366
Life and Group Non-Core [Member]
Revenues									1,258	1,279	1,243
Corporate and Other Non-Core [Member]
Revenues									42	56	52
Eliminations [Member]
Revenues									$ (5)	$ (7)	$ (4)

Discontinued Operations Income

Discontinued Operations Income Statement Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Net Earned Premium		$ 0	$ 0
Net Investment Income		94	168
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)		3	11
Other Revenues		0	2
Total Revenues		97	181
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Insurance Claims and Policyholders' Benefits		75	141
Other Operating Expenses		2	3
Total Claims, Benefits and Expenses		77	144
Income before Income Tax		20	37
Income tax (expense) benefit		(6)	(15)
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax		14	22
Loss on sale, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $40, - and -		(211)	0
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	$ 0	(197)	22
Income tax benefit (expense) on impairment		$ 40	$ 0

Discontinued Operations (Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Aug. 01, 2014USD ($)
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets	$ 3,550
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities	$ 3,297

Quarterly Financial Data (Un112

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,269		$ 2,153	$ 2,327	$ 2,352	$ 2,378	$ 2,411	$ 2,440	$ 2,463		$ 9,101		$ 9,692		$ 9,932
Net income (loss)	$ (70)	[1]	$ 178	$ 138	$ 233	$ 198	$ 213	$ 267	$ 13	[2]	$ 479	[1]	$ 691	[2]	$ 937
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.26)		$ 0.66	$ 0.51	$ 0.86	$ 0.73	$ 0.79	$ 0.99	$ 0.05		$ 1.77		$ 2.56		$ 3.48
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.26)		$ 0.66	$ 0.51	$ 0.86	$ 0.73	$ 0.79	$ 0.98	$ 0.05		$ 1.77		$ 2.55		$ 3.47
[1]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.
[2]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Related Party Transactions Narr

Related Party Transactions Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Due to Related Parties	$ 82	$ 153
Fees and expenses of investment facilities and services [Member]
Amounts reimbursed to Loews for services provided to the Company	39	39	$ 37
Due to Related Parties	21	21
Corporate Services and Related Travel Expenses [Member]
Amounts reimbursed to Loews for services provided to the Company			4
Taxes paid [Member]
Due to Related Parties	61	132
Loews [Member]
Amounts earned from Loews for insurance premiums	$ 2	$ 2	$ 2

Schedule II. Condensed Finan114

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) (Schedule of Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Net realized investment gains (losses)											$ (67)		$ 57		$ 20
Total revenues	$ 2,269		$ 2,153	$ 2,327	$ 2,352	$ 2,378	$ 2,411	$ 2,440	$ 2,463		9,101		9,692		9,932
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Interest											155		183		166
Income tax expense (benefit)											(70)		(319)		(361)
Net income (loss)	$ (70)	[1]	$ 178	$ 138	$ 233	$ 198	$ 213	$ 267	$ 13	[2]	479	[1]	691	[2]	937
Total comprehensive income (loss)											(236)		649		548
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Net investment income											1		1		1
Net realized investment gains (losses)											5		4		4
Total revenues											6		5		5
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
Administrative and general											1		5		(7)
Interest											154		182		165
Total expenses											155		187		158
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries											(149)		(182)		(153)
Income tax expense (benefit)											34		35		22
Income (loss) before equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries											(115)		(147)		(131)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries											594		838		1,068
Net income (loss)											479		691		937
Equity in other comprehensive income of subsidiaries											(715)		(42)		(389)
Total comprehensive income (loss)											$ (236)		$ 649		$ 548
[1]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.
[2]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Schedule II. Condensed Finan115

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) (Schedule of Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash	$ 387	$ 190	$ 195	$ 156
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $0 and $1)	39,569	40,749
Short term investments	1,660	1,706
Other assets	1,297	841
Total assets	55,047	55,566
Liabilities
Short term debt	350	0
Long term debt	2,212	2,559
Other liabilities	4,243	3,833
Total liabilities	43,291	42,772
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 270,274,361 and 269,980,202 shares outstanding)	683	683	683	683
Additional paid-in capital	2,153	2,151	2,145	2,146
Retained earnings	9,313	9,645	9,495	8,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(315)	400	442	831
Treasury stock (2,765,882 and 3,060,041 shares), at cost	(78)	(84)	(91)	(99)
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	0	(1)	(23)	(21)
Total stockholders’ equity	11,756	12,794	12,651
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	55,047	55,566
Balance Sheet Parenthetical
Marketable securities fixed maturities available-for-sale at amortized cost basis	$ 37,250	$ 37,316
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	270,274,361	269,980,202
Treasury stock, shares	2,765,882	3,060,041
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Investment in subsidiaries	$ 13,851	$ 14,867
Cash	4	1	$ 1	$ 0
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $0 and $1)	0	1
Short term investments	478	499
Other assets	3	3
Total assets	14,336	15,371
Liabilities
Short term debt	350	0
Long term debt	2,182	2,529
Other liabilities	48	48
Total liabilities	2,580	2,577
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 270,274,361 and 269,980,202 shares outstanding)	683	683
Additional paid-in capital	2,153	2,151
Retained earnings	9,313	9,645
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(315)	400
Treasury stock (2,765,882 and 3,060,041 shares), at cost	(78)	(84)
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock	0	(1)
Total stockholders’ equity	11,756	12,794
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	14,336	15,371
Balance Sheet Parenthetical
Marketable securities fixed maturities available-for-sale at amortized cost basis	$ 0	$ 1
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	270,274,361	269,980,202
Treasury stock, shares	2,765,882	3,060,041

Schedule II. Condensed Finan116

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) (Schedule of Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (70)	[1]	$ 178	$ 138	$ 233	$ 198	$ 213	$ 267	$ 13	[2]	$ 479	[1]	$ 691	[2]	$ 937
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:
Net realized investment (gains) losses											67		(57)		(20)
Other, net											(2)		54		10
Total adjustments											908		749		267
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities											1,387		1,440		1,204
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Change in short term investments											34		(388)		425
Other, net											21		16		11
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities											(372)		(918)		(898)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to common stockholders											(811)		(541)		(216)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt											0		546		0
Repayment of debt											0		(549)		(13)
Other, net											4		25		(35)
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities											(807)		(519)		(264)
Net change in cash											197		(5)		39
Cash, beginning of year					190				195		190		195		156
Cash, end of year	387					190					387		190		195
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)											479		691		937
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries											(594)		(838)		(1,068)
Dividends received from subsidiaries											900		650		400
Net realized investment (gains) losses											(5)		(4)		(4)
Other, net											4		14		8
Total adjustments											305		(178)		(664)
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities											784		513		273
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from fixed maturity securities											0		0		1
Change in short term investments											21		6		(57)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries											0		(10)		(12)
Other, net											7		5		4
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities											28		1		(64)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to common stockholders											(811)		(541)		(216)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt											0		546		0
Repayment of debt											0		(549)		(3)
Stock options exercised											1		5		2
Other, net											1		25		9
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities											(809)		(514)		(208)
Net change in cash											3		0		1
Cash, beginning of year					$ 1				$ 1		1		1		0
Cash, end of year	$ 4					$ 1					$ 4		$ 1		$ 1
[1]	Net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a charge related to recognition of a premium deficiency in our long term care business.
[2]	Net income in the first quarter of 2014 included the impairment loss on the sale of CAC.

Schedule II. Condensed Finan117

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) (Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Narrative)) (Details) - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 5	$ 5
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	2,000
Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 625

Schedule V. Valuation and Qu118

Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts) (Details) - Allowance for doubtful accounts, insurance and reinsurance receivables [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement in valuation allowances and reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		$ 109	$ 155	$ 174
Charged to costs and expenses		(12)	(40)	(6)
Charged to other accounts	[1]	0	(1)	(3)
Deductions		(8)	(5)	(10)
Balance at end of period		$ 89	$ 109	$ 155
[1]	Amount includes effects of foreign currency translation.

Schedule VI. Supplemental In119

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to current year	$ 4,934	$ 5,043	$ 5,114
Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to prior years	(255)	(36)	$ (115)
Consolidated Property and Casualty Insurance Entity [Member]
Deferred acquisition costs	597	600
Reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses	22,663	23,271
Discount deducted from claim and claim adjustment expense reserves above (based on interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 8.0%)	1,534	1,578
Unearned Premiums	3,671	3,592
Net written premiums	6,962	7,088	$ 7,348
Net earned premiums	6,921	7,212	7,271
Net investment income	1,807	2,031	2,240
Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to current year	4,934	5,043	5,113
Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to prior years	(255)	(39)	(115)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	1,540	1,317	1,362
Paid claim and claim adjustment expenses	$ 4,945	$ 5,297	$ 5,566
Supplemental Information Parenthetical
Minimum interest rate in discount range	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Maximum interest rate in discount range	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%