Aflac (AFL) 10-Q 3 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 26, 2015
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	AFL
Entity Registrant Name	AFLAC INC
Entity Central Index Key	4,977
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		426,738,679

Consolidated Statements of Earn

Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Net premiums, principally supplemental health insurance		$ 4,380	$ 4,841	$ 13,176		$ 14,583
Net investment income		784	841	2,343		2,511
Realized investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	[1]	(137)	0	(143)		(31)
Sales and redemptions		26	33	186		171
Derivative and other gains (losses)		(3)	(17)	(17)		(68)
Total realized investment gains (losses)		(114)	16	26		72
Other income (loss)		(10)	38	8		48
Total revenues		5,040	5,736	15,553		17,214
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and claims, net		2,927	3,355	8,816		9,868
Acquisition and operating expenses:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		258	271	790		841
Insurance commissions		326	361	981		1,096
Insurance expenses		554	566	1,634		1,637
Interest expense		67	77	224		238
Other expenses		44	32	356	[2]	118
Total acquisition and operating expenses		1,249	1,307	3,985		3,930
Total benefits and expenses		4,176	4,662	12,801		13,798
Earnings before income taxes		864	1,074	2,752		3,416
Income taxes		297	368	949		1,168
Net earnings		$ 567	$ 706	$ 1,803		$ 2,248
Net earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 1.32	$ 1.56	$ 4.17		$ 4.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 1.32	$ 1.56	$ 4.14		$ 4.93
Weighted-average outstanding common shares used in computing earnings per share (In thousands):
Basic (in shares)		428,735	451,246	432,540		452,833
Diluted (in shares)		431,102	453,981	435,064		455,674
Cash dividends per share		$ 0.39	$ 0.37	$ 1.17		$ 1.11
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Extinguishment of debt, make-whole premium				$ 230
[1]	Includes $6 and $0 for the three-month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairment
[2]	Includes expense of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings		$ 567	$ 706	$ 1,803	$ 2,248
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes:
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period		186	(904)	25	(459)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities during period		(401)	774	(2,266)	3,656
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses on investment securities included in net earnings		138	(27)	20	(18)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period		(1)	(9)	(3)	(8)
Pension liability adjustment during period		0	3	1	2
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		(78)	(163)	(2,223)	3,173
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		(99)	(57)	(772)	1,110
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	[1]	21	(106)	(1,451)	2,063
Total comprehensive income (loss)		$ 588	$ 600	$ 352	$ 4,311
[1]	All amounts in the table above are net of tax.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities available for sale, at fair value:
Equity securities (cost $119 in 2015 and $19 in 2014)		$ 131	$ 28
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:
Fixed maturities		33,729	34,242
Other Investments		248	171
Cash and cash equivalents		3,520	4,658
Total investments and cash		104,900	107,341
Receivables		762	842
Accrued investment income		733	762
Deferred policy acquisition costs		8,451	8,273
Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation		430	429
Other	[1]	2,179	2,120
Total assets		117,455	119,767
Policy liabilities:
Future policy benefits		68,971	65,646
Unpaid policy claims		3,809	3,630
Unearned premiums		8,121	8,626
Other policyholders’ funds		6,284	6,031
Total policy liabilities		87,185	83,933
Income taxes		4,474	5,293
Payables for return of cash collateral on loaned securities		907	2,193
Notes payable		5,009	5,282
Other	[2]	2,625	4,719
Total liabilities		100,200	101,420
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock of $.10 par value. In thousands: authorized 1,900,000 shares in 2015 and 2014; issued 669,509 shares in 2015 and 668,132 shares in 2014		67	67
Additional paid-in capital		1,807	1,711
Retained earnings		23,451	22,156
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)		(2,533)	(2,541)
Unrealized gain (losses) on investment securities		3,214	4,672
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives		(28)	(26)
Pension liability adjustment		(125)	(126)
Treasury stock, at average cost		(8,598)	(7,566)
Total shareholders’ equity		17,255	18,347
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		117,455	119,767
Investments Other Than Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
Securities available for sale, at fair value:
Fixed maturities		60,565	61,407
Perpetual securities		1,897	2,240
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:
Fixed maturities		33,646	34,159
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated
Securities available for sale, at fair value:
Fixed maturities		4,541	4,166
Perpetual securities		269	429
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:
Fixed maturities		$ 83	$ 83
[1]	Includes $106 in 2015 and 2014 of derivatives from consolidated variable interest entities
[2]	Includes $343 in 2015 and $318 in 2014 of derivatives from consolidated variable interest entities

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities available for sale, equity securities, cost	$ 119	$ 19
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	$ 36,948	$ 38,497
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,900,000,000	1,900,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	669,509,000	668,132,000
Asset derivatives	$ 877	$ 802
Liability derivatives	384	2,423
Investments Other Than Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost	56,363	55,365
Securities available for sale, perpetual securities, amortized cost	1,802	2,035
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	36,868	38,413
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,651	3,020
Securities available for sale, perpetual securities, amortized cost	287	405
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	80	84
Asset derivatives	106	106
Liability derivatives	$ 343	$ 318

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common stock:	Additional paid-in capital:	Retained earnings:	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):	Treasury stock:
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 67	$ 1,644	$ 19,885	$ (563)	$ (6,413)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options			24
Share-based compensation			27
Net earnings	$ 2,248			2,248
Dividends to shareholders				(505)
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes					(300)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments					2,367
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes					(5)
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes					1
Purchases of treasury stock						(698)
Treasury stock reissued			31			43
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2014	17,853	67	1,726	21,628	1,500	(7,068)
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	18,347	67	1,711	22,156	1,979	(7,566)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options			41
Share-based compensation			27
Net earnings	1,803			1,803
Dividends to shareholders				(508)
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, net of income taxes					8
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities during period, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustments					(1,458)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives during period, net of income taxes					(2)
Pension liability adjustment during period, net of income taxes					1
Purchases of treasury stock						(1,081)
Treasury stock reissued			28			49
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 17,255	$ 67	$ 1,807	$ 23,451	$ 528	$ (8,598)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings		$ 1,803		$ 2,248
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in receivables and advance premiums		98		(2)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs		(152)		(135)
Increase in policy liabilities		2,696		2,674
Change in income tax liabilities		(43)		(270)
Realized investment (gains) losses		(26)		(72)
Other, net		394	[1]	134
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		4,770		4,577
Securities available for sale:
Fixed maturities sold		1,829		1,773
Fixed maturities matured or called		705		723
Perpetual securities sold		0		60
Perpetual securities matured or called		394		0
Equity securities sold		1		0
Securities held to maturity:
Fixed maturities matured or called		678		8,456
Costs of investments acquired:
Available for sale fixed maturities acquired		(3,919)		(8,959)
Available for sale equity securities acquired		(67)		0
Held to maturity fixed maturities acquired		0		(3,564)
Other investments, net		(27)		(3,690)
Settlement of derivatives, net		(2,242)		(367)
Cash received (pledged or returned) as collateral, net		(1,404)		1,414
Other, net		(31)		10
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		(4,083)		(4,144)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock		(1,081)		(698)
Proceeds from borrowings		998		0
Principal payments under debt obligations		(1,272)		(335)
Dividends paid to shareholders		(489)		(486)
Change in investment-type contracts, net		213		1,166
Treasury stock reissued		28		25
Other, net		(223)	[1]	6
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(1,826)		(322)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1		12
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(1,138)		123
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4,658		2,543
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		3,520		2,666
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid		996		1,412
Interest paid		188		171
Noncash interest		36		66
Impairment losses included in realized investment losses	[2]	143		31
Capital lease obligations incurred		2		0
Associate stock bonus
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued		26		26
Shareholder dividend reinvestment
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued		19		19
Share-based compensation grants
Treasury stock issued for:
Treasury stock issued		4		$ 4
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Extinguishment of debt, make-whole premium		$ 230
[1]	Operating activities excludes and financing activities includes a cash outflow of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt
[2]	Includes $6 and $0 for the three-month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairment

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) primarily sell supplemental health and life insurance in the United States and Japan. The Company's insurance business is marketed and administered through American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), which operates in the United States (Aflac U.S.) and as a branch in Japan (Aflac Japan). American Family Life Assurance Company of New York (Aflac New York) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac. Most of Aflac's policies are individually underwritten and marketed through independent agents. Additionally, Aflac U.S. markets and administers group products through Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC), branded as Aflac Group Insurance. Our insurance operations in the United States and our branch in Japan service the two markets for our insurance business. Aflac Japan's revenues, including realized gains and losses on its investment portfolio, accounted for 70% and 74% of the Company's total revenues in the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. The percentage of the Company's total assets attributable to Aflac Japan was 83% at September 30, 2015 , compared with 82% at December 31, 2014 . Basis of Presentation We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). In these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, references to U.S. GAAP issued by the FASB are derived from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (ASC). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates when recording transactions resulting from business operations based on currently available information. The most significant items on our balance sheet that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to changes in the future are the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition costs, liabilities for future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims, and income taxes. These accounting estimates and actuarial determinations are sensitive to market conditions, investment yields, mortality, morbidity, commission and other acquisition expenses, and terminations by policyholders. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates will be revised and reflected in operating results. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, we believe the amounts provided are adequate. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent Company, its subsidiaries and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income (loss) for the three- and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , and the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity and cash flows for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 . New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items - Simplifying income statement presentation by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items: In January 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Although the amendments will eliminate the requirements for reporting entities to consider whether an underlying event or transaction is extraordinary, the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. The amendments in this updated guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Transfers and Servicing, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures: In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance for repurchase agreement and security lending transactions to change the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to be accounted for as secured borrowings, consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. The amendments also require new disclosures to increase transparency about the types of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. We adopted accounting changes for the new guidance as of January 1, 2015, and adopted the required disclosures as of April 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption Financial Services - Insurance - Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts: In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance requiring enhanced disclosures by all insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts. The amendments require insurance entities to disclose for annual reporting periods information about the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. The amendments also require insurance entities to disclose information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, including reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. In addition, the amendments require insurance entities to disclose for annual and interim reporting periods a roll-forward of the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. For health insurance claims, the amendments require the disclosure of the total of incurred-but-not-reported liabilities and expected development on reported claims included in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. The amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application of the amendments is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations; however, we are evaluating whether the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our disclosures. Fair Value Measurement - Disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent): In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments also remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented whereby an investment for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient be removed from the fair value hierarchy in all periods presented in an entity’s financial statements. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Interest - Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs: In April 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs. The updated guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this amendment. In August 2015, the FASB issued updated SEC Staff guidance pertaining to the presentation of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. The guidance states that an entity may defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset, subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement , regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The amendment is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Consolidation - Amendments to the consolidation analysis: In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that affects evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities (limited liability corporations and securitization structures, etc.) are variable interest entities (VIEs), evaluation of whether fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider are a variable interest, and evaluation of the effect of fee arrangements and the effect of related parties on the determination of the primary beneficiary under the VIE model for consolidation. The updated guidance eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. Limited partnership and similar legal entities that provide partners with either substantive kick-out rights or substantive participating rights (representing the partners’ controlling financial interest in the entity) over the general partner will now be evaluated under the voting interest model rather than the VIE model for consolidation. In regard to the fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider, the updated guidance eliminates three of the six criteria that an entity’s decision makers or service providers must meet for them to conclude that the fees do not represent a variable interest in that entity and, thus, should be excluded from the assessment for determining the primary beneficiary. Finally, in situations where no single party has a controlling financial interest in a VIE, the related party relationships under common control should be considered in their entirety in determining whether that common control group has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. However, if substantially all of the activities of the VIE are conducted on behalf of a single variable interest holder (excluding the decision maker) in a related party group that has the characteristics of a primary beneficiary, that single variable interest holder must consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary. The amendments in the updated guidance are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are evaluating whether the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. Derivatives and Hedging - Determining whether the host contract in a hybrid financial instrument issued in the form of a share is more akin to debt or equity: In November 2014, the FASB issued guidance to clarify how to evaluate the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. The guidance also clarifies that an entity should assess the substance of the relevant terms and features when considering how to weight those terms and features. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern - Disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern: In August 2014, the FASB issued this amendment that provides U.S. GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Compensation - Stock Compensation - Accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period: In June 2014, the FASB issued this amendment that provides guidance on certain share-based payment awards that require a specific performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Revenue from contracts with customers: In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance that affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for this standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Recent accounting guidance not discussed above is not applicable, did not have, or is not expected to have a material impact to our business. For additional information on new accounting pronouncements and recent accounting guidance and their impact, if any, on our financial position or results of operations, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION	BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company consists of two reportable insurance business segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S., both of which sell supplemental health and life insurance. Operating business segments that are not individually reportable and business activities not included in Aflac Japan or Aflac U.S. are included in the "Other business segments" category. We do not allocate corporate overhead expenses to business segments. We evaluate and manage our business segments using a financial performance measure called pretax operating earnings. Our definition of operating earnings includes interest cash flows associated with notes payable and excludes the following items from net earnings on an after-tax basis: realized investment gains/losses (securities transactions, impairments, and the impact of derivative and hedging activities), nonrecurring items and other non-operating income (loss). We then exclude income taxes related to operations to arrive at pretax operating earnings. Information regarding operations by segment follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues: Aflac Japan: Net earned premiums $ 2,980 $ 3,534 $ 9,036 $ 10,672 Net investment income 606 676 1,824 2,019 Other income 8 9 23 25 Total Aflac Japan 3,594 4,219 10,883 12,716 Aflac U.S.: Net earned premiums 1,345 1,306 4,016 3,910 Net investment income 173 162 507 484 Other income 2 0 6 2 Total Aflac U.S. 1,520 1,468 4,529 4,396 Other business segments 67 11 159 29 Total business segment revenues 5,181 5,698 15,571 17,141 Realized investment gains (losses) (1) (136 ) 6 (36 ) 42 Corporate 73 43 242 194 Intercompany eliminations (51 ) (38 ) (185 ) (170 ) Other non-operating income (loss) (27 ) (2) 27 (39 ) (2) 7 Total revenues $ 5,040 $ 5,736 $ 15,553 $ 17,214 (1) Excluding a gain of $22 and $10 for the three -month periods and $62 and $30 for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, related to the interest rate component of the change in fair value of foreign currency swaps on notes payable which is classified as an operating gain when analyzing segment operations (2) Includes a loss of $14 for the three - and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , related to the change in value of yen repatriation received in advance of settlement of certain foreign currency derivatives. This loss was offset by derivative gains included in realized investment gains (losses). Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Pretax earnings: Aflac Japan $ 789 $ 828 $ 2,365 $ 2,688 Aflac U.S. 286 269 864 872 Other business segments 5 0 10 0 Total business segment pretax operating earnings 1,080 1,097 3,239 3,560 Interest expense, noninsurance operations (30 ) (49 ) (117 ) (150 ) Corporate and eliminations (23 ) (7 ) (64 ) (43 ) Pretax operating earnings 1,027 1,041 3,058 3,367 Realized investment gains (losses) (1) (136 ) 6 (36 ) 42 Other non-operating income (loss) (27 ) (2) 27 (270 ) (2),(3) 7 Total earnings before income taxes $ 864 $ 1,074 $ 2,752 $ 3,416 Income taxes applicable to pretax operating earnings $ 355 $ 356 $ 1,057 $ 1,151 Effect of foreign currency translation on operating earnings (58 ) (19 ) (175 ) (80 ) (1) Excluding a gain of $22 and $10 for the three -month periods and $62 and $30 for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, related to the interest rate component of the change in fair value of foreign currency swaps on notes payable which is classified as an operating gain when analyzing segment operations (2) Includes a loss of $14 for the three - and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , related to the change in value of yen repatriation received in advance of settlement of certain foreign currency derivatives. This loss was offset by derivative gains included in realized investment gains (losses). ( 3) Includes a cash outflow of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt Assets were as follows: (In millions) September 30, December 31, Assets: Aflac Japan $ 97,158 $ 98,525 Aflac U.S. 18,687 18,383 Other business segments 176 128 Total business segment assets 116,021 117,036 Corporate 22,676 24,636 Intercompany eliminations (21,242 ) (21,905 ) Total assets $ 117,455 $ 119,767

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	INVESTMENTS Investment Holdings The amortized cost for our investments in debt and perpetual securities, the cost for equity securities and the fair values of these investments are shown in the following tables. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 16,799 $ 1,544 $ 1 $ 18,342 Municipalities 88 6 0 94 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 330 31 0 361 Public utilities 1,613 202 17 1,798 Sovereign and supranational 795 185 0 980 Banks/financial institutions 2,463 271 118 2,616 Other corporate 3,354 399 32 3,721 Total yen-denominated 25,442 2,638 168 27,912 Dollar-denominated: U.S. government and agencies 111 12 0 123 Municipalities 927 154 9 1,072 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 201 29 0 230 Public utilities 5,437 742 129 6,050 Sovereign and supranational 332 109 0 441 Banks/financial institutions 2,952 707 14 3,645 Other corporate 24,612 2,016 995 25,633 Total dollar-denominated 34,572 3,769 1,147 37,194 Total fixed maturities 60,014 6,407 1,315 65,106 Perpetual securities: Yen-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 1,798 149 140 1,807 Other corporate 184 18 0 202 Dollar-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 107 51 1 157 Total perpetual securities 2,089 218 141 2,166 Equity securities 119 12 0 131 Total securities available for sale $ 62,222 $ 6,637 $ 1,456 $ 67,403 September 30, 2015 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 20,115 $ 2,876 $ 0 $ 22,991 Municipalities 345 64 0 409 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 38 2 0 40 Public utilities 3,108 151 131 3,128 Sovereign and supranational 2,569 164 47 2,686 Banks/financial institutions 4,539 141 136 4,544 Other corporate 3,015 191 56 3,150 Total yen-denominated 33,729 3,589 370 36,948 Total securities held to maturity $ 33,729 $ 3,589 $ 370 $ 36,948 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 17,341 $ 1,740 $ 0 $ 19,081 Municipalities 88 9 0 97 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 351 35 0 386 Public utilities 1,691 226 5 1,912 Sovereign and supranational 799 163 0 962 Banks/financial institutions 2,752 325 189 2,888 Other corporate 3,479 531 48 3,962 Total yen-denominated 26,501 3,029 242 29,288 Dollar-denominated: U.S. government and agencies 100 17 0 117 Municipalities 961 201 2 1,160 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 185 31 0 216 Public utilities 5,061 960 36 5,985 Sovereign and supranational 343 111 0 454 Banks/financial institutions 2,943 775 8 3,710 Other corporate 22,291 2,682 330 24,643 Total dollar-denominated 31,884 4,777 376 36,285 Total fixed maturities 58,385 7,806 618 65,573 Perpetual securities: Yen-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 2,132 223 92 2,263 Other corporate 183 48 0 231 Dollar-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 125 50 0 175 Total perpetual securities 2,440 321 92 2,669 Equity securities 19 9 0 28 Total securities available for sale $ 60,844 $ 8,136 $ 710 $ 68,270 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 20,023 $ 3,195 $ 0 $ 23,218 Municipalities 346 71 0 417 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 43 3 0 46 Public utilities 3,342 281 20 3,603 Sovereign and supranational 2,556 272 14 2,814 Banks/financial institutions 4,932 231 78 5,085 Other corporate 3,000 326 12 3,314 Total yen-denominated 34,242 4,379 124 38,497 Total securities held to maturity $ 34,242 $ 4,379 $ 124 $ 38,497 The methods of determining the fair values of our investments in fixed-maturity securities, perpetual securities and equity securities are described in Note 5. During the third quarter of 2015, we began investing in yen-denominated exchange traded funds (ETFs) holding Japan real estate investment trusts. These ETFs are publicly traded on a national stock exchange and are reported as equity securities on our consolidated balance sheets. These ETFs are classified as available for sale and carried on our balance sheet at fair value. As of September 30, 2015 , our investment in these ETFs was $103 million at fair value. During the first nine months of 2015 , we did not reclassify any investments from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category. During the third quarter of 2014 , we reclassified one investment from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category as a result of the issuer being downgraded to below investment grade. At the time of transfer, the security had an amortized cost of $233 million and an unrealized loss of $18 million . During the second quarter of 2014 , we reclassified one investment from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category as a result of the issuer being downgraded to below investment grade. At the time of transfer, the security had an amortized cost of $128 million and an unrealized loss of $28 million . During the first quarter of 2014 , we reclassified one investment from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category as a result of the issuer being downgraded to below investment grade. At the time of transfer, the security had an amortized cost of $63 million and an unrealized loss of $8 million . Contractual and Economic Maturities The contractual maturities of our investments in fixed maturities at September 30, 2015 , were as follows: Aflac Japan Aflac U.S. (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Available for sale: Due in one year or less $ 246 $ 262 $ 85 $ 86 Due after one year through five years 2,340 2,722 641 717 Due after five years through 10 years 11,299 11,576 2,033 2,140 Due after 10 years 33,384 36,760 9,069 9,851 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 381 432 36 45 Total fixed maturities available for sale $ 47,650 $ 51,752 $ 11,864 $ 12,839 Held to maturity: Due in one year or less $ 318 $ 324 $ 0 $ 0 Due after one year through five years 1,593 1,675 0 0 Due after five years through 10 years 1,730 1,825 0 0 Due after 10 years 30,050 33,084 0 0 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 38 40 0 0 Total fixed maturities held to maturity $ 33,729 $ 36,948 $ 0 $ 0 At September 30, 2015 , the Parent Company and other business segments had portfolios of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities totaling $500 million at amortized cost and $515 million at fair value, which are not included in the table above. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call premiums or prepayment penalties. The majority of our perpetual securities are subordinated to other debt obligations of the issuer, but rank higher than the issuer's equity securities. Perpetual securities have characteristics of both debt and equity investments, along with unique features that create economic maturity dates for the securities. Although perpetual securities have no contractual maturity date, they have stated interest coupons that were fixed at their issuance and subsequently change to a floating short-term interest rate after some period of time. The instruments are generally callable by the issuer at the time of changing from a fixed coupon rate to a new variable rate of interest, which is determined by the combination of some market index plus a fixed amount of basis points. The net effect is to create an expected maturity date for the instrument. The economic maturities of our investments in perpetual securities, which were all reported as available for sale at September 30, 2015 , were as follows: Aflac Japan Aflac U.S. (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 261 $ 254 $ 0 $ 0 Due after one year through five years 449 453 0 0 Due after 10 years 1,340 1,401 39 58 Total perpetual securities available for sale $ 2,050 $ 2,108 $ 39 $ 58 Investment Concentrations Our process for credit-related investments begins with an independent approach to underwriting each issuer's fundamental credit quality. We evaluate independently those factors which we believe could influence an issuer's ability to make payments under the contractual terms of our instruments. This includes a thorough analysis of a variety of items including the issuer's country of domicile (including political, legal, and financial considerations); the industry in which the issuer competes (with an analysis of industry structure, end-market dynamics, and regulation); company specific issues (such as management, assets, earnings, cash generation, and capital needs); and contractual provisions of the instrument (such as financial covenants and position in the capital structure). We further evaluate the investment considering broad business and portfolio management objectives, including asset/liability needs, portfolio diversification, and expected income. Banks and Financial Institutions One of our largest investment sector concentrations as of September 30, 2015 , was banks and financial institutions. Within the countries we approve for investment opportunities, we primarily invest in financial institutions that are strategically crucial to each approved country's economy. The bank and financial institution sector is a highly regulated industry and plays a strategic role in the global economy. Our total investments in the bank and financial institution sector, including those classified as perpetual securities, were as follows: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Total Investments in Percentage of Total Investments in Percentage of Fixed maturities: Amortized cost $ 9,954 10 % $ 10,627 11 % Fair value 10,805 10 11,683 11 Perpetual securities: Upper Tier II: Amortized cost $ 1,337 1 % $ 1,554 2 % Fair value 1,369 1 1,645 1 Tier I: Amortized cost 568 1 703 1 Fair value 595 1 793 1 Total: Amortized cost $ 11,859 12 % $ 12,884 14 % Fair value 12,769 12 14,121 13 Realized Investment Gains and Losses Information regarding pretax realized gains and losses from investments is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Realized investment gains (losses) on securities: Fixed maturities: Available for sale: Gross gains from sales $ 20 $ 17 $ 124 $ 144 Gross losses from sales (6 ) 0 (6 ) (1 ) Net gains (losses) from redemptions 12 16 38 27 Other-than-temporary impairment losses (136 ) 0 (142 ) (31 ) Held to maturity: Net gains (losses) from redemptions 0 0 0 1 Total fixed maturities (110 ) 33 14 140 Perpetual securities: Available for sale: Net gains (losses) from redemptions 0 0 30 0 Total perpetual securities 0 0 30 0 Equity securities: Other-than-temporary impairment losses (1 ) 0 (1 ) 0 Total equity securities (1 ) 0 (1 ) 0 Derivatives and other: Derivative gains (losses) (3 ) (17 ) (17 ) (67 ) Other 0 0 0 (1 ) Total derivatives and other (3 ) (17 ) (17 ) (68 ) Total realized investment gains (losses) $ (114 ) $ 16 $ 26 $ 72 Other-than-temporary Impairment The fair values of our debt and perpetual security investments fluctuate based on changes in interest rates, foreign exchange, and credit spreads in the global financial markets. Fair values can also be heavily influenced by the values of the assets of the issuer and expected ultimate recovery values upon default, bankruptcy or other financial restructuring. Credit spreads are most impacted by the general credit environment and global market liquidity. Interest rates are driven by numerous factors including, but not limited to, supply and demand, governmental monetary actions, expectations of inflation and economic growth. We believe that fluctuations in the fair values of our investment securities related to general changes in the level of credit spreads or interest rates have little bearing on underlying credit quality of the issuer, and whether our investment is ultimately recoverable. Generally, we consider such declines in fair values to be temporary even in situations where an investment remains in an unrealized loss position for an extended period of time. However, in the course of our review process, we may determine that it is unlikely that our investment will recover in value within an acceptable time frame. Factors which may influence this determination include the severity of the price decline, the length of time the price has been impaired, if the price decline was driven by issuer credit deterioration, and our view of the likelihood of the security defaulting or otherwise being subject to an unfavorable restructuring. In those cases where we believe the security will not recover in price within an acceptable period of time, we consider such a decline in the investment's fair value, to the extent it is below the investment's cost or amortized cost, to be an other-than-temporary impairment of the investment and reduce the book value of the investment to its fair value. The perpetual securities we hold were largely issued by banks that are integral to the financial markets of the sovereign country of the issuer. As a result of the issuer's position within the economy of the sovereign country, our perpetual securities may be subject to a higher risk of nationalization of their issuers in connection with capital injections from an issuer's sovereign government. We cannot be assured that such capital support will extend to all levels of an issuer's capital structure. In addition, certain governments or regulators may consider imposing interest and principal payment restrictions on issuers of hybrid securities to preserve cash and preserve the issuer's capital. Beyond the cash flow impact that additional deferrals would have on our portfolio, such deferrals could result in ratings downgrades of the affected securities, which in turn could result in a reduction of fair value of the securities and increase our regulatory capital requirements. We consider these factors in our credit review process. When determining our intention to sell a security prior to recovery of its fair value to amortized cost, we evaluate facts and circumstances such as, but not limited to, future cash flow needs, decisions to reposition our security portfolio, and risk profile of individual investment holdings. We perform ongoing analyses of our liquidity needs, which includes cash flow testing of our policy liabilities, debt maturities, projected dividend payments and other cash flow and liquidity needs. Our cash flow testing includes extensive duration analysis of our investment portfolio and policy liabilities. Based on our analyses, we have concluded that we have sufficient excess cash flows to meet our liquidity needs without selling any of our investments prior to their maturity. The following table details our pretax other-than-temporary impairment losses by investment category that resulted from our impairment evaluation process. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Corporate bonds $ 5 $ 0 $ 7 $ 31 Bank/financial institution bonds 131 0 135 0 Equity securities 1 0 1 0 Total other-than-temporary impairment losses realized (1) $ 137 $ 0 $ 143 $ 31 (1) Includes $6 and $0 for the three -month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairments Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses Effect on Shareholders’ Equity The net effect on shareholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses from investment securities was as follows: (In millions) September 30, December 31, Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale $ 5,181 $ 7,426 Deferred income taxes (1,967 ) (2,754 ) Shareholders’ equity, unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities $ 3,214 $ 4,672 Gross Unrealized Loss Aging The following tables show the fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investments that were in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. September 30, 2015 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer (In millions) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed Maturities: Japan government and Yen-denominated $ 92 $ 1 $ 92 $ 1 $ 0 $ 0 Municipalities: Dollar-denominated 44 9 44 9 0 0 Public utilities: Dollar-denominated 1,955 129 1,499 79 456 50 Yen-denominated 1,451 148 1,039 102 412 46 Sovereign and supranational: Yen-denominated 728 47 535 32 193 15 Banks/financial institutions: Dollar-denominated 307 14 304 14 3 0 Yen-denominated 2,809 254 1,762 72 1,047 182 Other corporate: Dollar-denominated 12,285 995 9,940 597 2,345 398 Yen-denominated 1,237 88 437 5 800 83 Total fixed maturities 20,908 1,685 15,652 911 5,256 774 Perpetual securities: Dollar-denominated 6 1 0 0 6 1 Yen-denominated 739 140 215 27 524 113 Total perpetual securities 745 141 215 27 530 114 Total $ 21,653 $ 1,826 $ 15,867 $ 938 $ 5,786 $ 888 December 31, 2014 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer (In millions) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed Maturities: Municipalities: Dollar-denominated $ 75 $ 2 $ 53 $ 1 $ 22 $ 1 Public utilities: Dollar-denominated 1,001 36 164 7 837 29 Yen-denominated 805 25 98 1 707 24 Sovereign and supranational: Yen-denominated 359 14 0 0 359 14 Banks/financial institutions: Dollar-denominated 205 8 53 5 152 3 Yen-denominated 1,828 267 166 0 1,662 267 Other corporate: Dollar-denominated 8,072 330 1,901 62 6,171 268 Yen-denominated 1,151 60 122 2 1,029 58 Total fixed maturities 13,496 742 2,557 78 10,939 664 Perpetual securities: Yen-denominated 783 92 194 5 589 87 Total perpetual securities 783 92 194 5 589 87 Total $ 14,279 $ 834 $ 2,751 $ 83 $ 11,528 $ 751 Analysis of Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions The unrealized losses on our investments have been primarily related to general market changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and/or the levels of credit spreads rather than specific concerns with the issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. For any significant decline in fair value, we perform a more focused review of the related issuer's credit profile. For corporate issuers, we evaluate their assets, business profile including industry dynamics and competitive positioning, financial statements and other available financial data. For non-corporate issuers, we analyze all sources of credit support, including issuer-specific factors. We utilize information available in the public domain and, for certain private placement issuers, from consultations with the issuers directly. We also consider ratings from the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs), as well as the specific characteristics of the security we own including seniority in the issuer's capital structure, covenant protections, or other relevant features. From these reviews, we evaluate the issuers' continued ability to service our investment through payment of interest and principal. The following table provides more information on our unrealized loss positions. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position Gross Gross Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position Gross Gross Fixed Maturities: Public utilities 16 % 15 % 95 % 13 % 7 % 100 % Sovereign and 3 3 100 3 2 100 Banks/financial 14 15 60 14 33 31 Other corporate 63 59 86 65 47 88 Total fixed 96 % 92 % 95 % 89 % Perpetual securities 4 8 100 5 11 100 Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % Assuming no credit-related factors develop, unrealized gains and losses are expected to diminish as investments near maturity. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our investments in the sectors shown in the table above have the ability to service their obligations to us. Perpetual Securities The majority of our investments in Upper Tier II and Tier I perpetual securities were in highly-rated global financial institutions. Upper Tier II securities have more debt-like characteristics than Tier I securities and are senior to Tier I securities, preferred stock, and common equity of the issuer. Conversely, Tier I securities have more equity-like characteristics, but are senior to the common equity of the issuer. They may also be senior to certain preferred shares, depending on the individual security, the issuer's capital structure and the regulatory jurisdiction of the issuer. Details of our holdings of perpetual securities were as follows: Perpetual Securities September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Credit Amortized Fair Unrealized Amortized Fair Unrealized Upper Tier II: A $ 61 $ 87 $ 26 $ 61 $ 87 $ 26 BBB 1,112 1,056 (56 ) 1,330 1,333 3 BB or lower 164 226 62 163 225 62 Total Upper Tier II 1,337 1,369 32 1,554 1,645 91 Tier I: BBB 522 524 2 519 556 37 BB or lower 46 71 25 184 237 53 Total Tier I 568 595 27 703 793 90 Other subordinated BB or lower 184 202 18 183 231 48 Total $ 2,089 $ 2,166 $ 77 $ 2,440 $ 2,669 $ 229 Assuming no credit-related factors develop, as investments near maturity, the unrealized gains or losses are expected to diminish. Based on our credit analysis, we believe that the issuers of our investments in these sectors have the ability to service their obligations to us. Perpetual securities that had an amortized cost of $361 million and fair value of $387 million at December 31, 2014 matured or were called during the nine -month period ended September 30, 2015 . Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) As a condition of our involvement or investment in a VIE, we enter into certain protective rights and covenants that preclude changes in the structure of the VIE that would alter the creditworthiness of our investment or our beneficial interest in the VIE. Our involvement with all of the VIEs in which we have an interest is passive in nature, and we are not the arranger of these entities. We have not been involved in establishing these entities, except as it relates to our review and evaluation of the structure of these VIEs in the normal course of our investment decision-making process. Further, we are not, nor have we been, required to purchase any securities issued in the future by these VIEs. Our ownership interest in the VIEs is limited to holding the obligations issued by them. All of the VIEs in which we invest are static with respect to funding and have no ongoing forms of funding after the initial funding date. We have no direct or contingent obligations to fund the limited activities of these VIEs, nor do we have any direct or indirect financial guarantees related to the limited activities of these VIEs. We have not provided any assistance or any other type of financing support to any of the VIEs we invest in, nor do we have any intention to do so in the future. The weighted-average lives of our notes are very similar to the underlying collateral held by these VIEs where applicable. Our risk of loss related to our interests in any of our VIEs is limited to our investment in the debt securities issued by them. VIEs - Consolidated The following table presents the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs are reported. Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Assets: Fixed maturities, available for sale $ 3,651 $ 4,541 $ 3,020 $ 4,166 Perpetual securities, available for sale 287 269 405 429 Fixed maturities, held to maturity 83 80 83 84 Other assets 106 106 106 106 Total assets of consolidated VIEs $ 4,127 $ 4,996 $ 3,614 $ 4,785 Liabilities: Other liabilities $ 343 $ 343 $ 318 $ 318 Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs $ 343 $ 343 $ 318 $ 318 We are substantively the only investor in the consolidated VIEs listed in the table above. As the sole investor in these VIEs, we have the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and are therefore considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs that we consolidate. We also participate in substantially all of the variability created by these VIEs. The activities of these VIEs are limited to holding debt and perpetual securities and foreign currency and/or credit default swaps (CDS), as appropriate, and utilizing the cash flows from these securities to service our investment. Neither we nor any of our creditors are able to obtain the underlying collateral of the VIEs unless there is an event of default or other specified event. For those VIEs that contain a swap, we are not a direct counterparty to the swap contracts and have no control over them. Our loss exposure to these VIEs is limited to our original investment. Our consolidated VIEs do not rely on outside or ongoing sources of funding to support their activities beyond the underlying collateral and swap contracts, if applicable. With the exception of our investment in senior secured bank loans (bank loans) through unit trust structures, the underlying collateral assets and funding of our consolidated VIEs are generally static in nature and the underlying collateral and the reference corporate entities covered by any CDS contracts were all investment grade at the time of issuance. We invest in bank loans through unit trust structures in which we are the only investor, requiring us to consolidate these trusts. These bank loans are classified as available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in the financial statements. As of September 30, 2015 , the amortized cost and fair value of our bank loan investments was $1.3 billion . As of December 31, 2014, the amortized cost and fair value of our bank loan investments was $501 million and $579 million , respectively. We are exposed to credit losses within our consolidated collateralized debt obligation (CDO) that could result in principal losses to our investment. However, we have mitigated the risk of credit loss through the structure of the VIE, which contractually requires the subordinated tranches within the VIE to absorb the majority of the expected losses from the underlying credit default swaps. We currently own only senior mezzanine CDO tranches. Based on our statistical analysis models and the current subordination levels in our CDO, the VIE can sustain a reasonable number of defaults in the underlying reference entities in the CDS with no loss to our investment. VIEs-Not Consolidated The table below reflects the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which our investment in VIEs not consolidated are reported. Investments in Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Assets: Fixed maturities, available for sale $ 5,792 $ 6,367 $ 6,104 $ 6,937 Perpetual securities, available for sale 250 243 324 330 Fixed maturities, held to maturity 2,491 2,578 2,564 2,829 Total investments in VIEs not consolidated $ 8,533 $ 9,188 $ 8,992 $ 10,096 The VIEs that we are not required to consolidate are investments that are in the form of debt obligations from the VIEs that are irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by their corporate parents or sponsors. These VIEs are the primary financing vehicles used by their corporate sponsors to raise financing in the capital markets. The variable interests created by these VIEs are principally or solely a result of the debt instruments issued by them. We do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, nor do we have (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. As such, we are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and are therefore not required to consolidate them. These VIE investments comprise securities from 175 separate issuers with an average credit rating of BBB . Loans and Loan Receivables We invest in middle market loans through participation rights that are accounted for as loan receivables and recorded at amortized cost on the acquisition date. Since we have the intent and ability to hold these loan receivables for the foreseeable future or until they mature, they are considered held-for-investment and are carried at adjusted amortized cost in the other investments line on our consolidated balance sheets. The adjusted amortized cost of the loan receivables reflects allowances for expected incurred losses estimated based on past events and current economic conditions as of each reporting date. We also recognize a liability for all unfunded commitments associated with existing loan originations, with a corresponding recognition of an invested asset. As of September 30, 2015 , our investment in these loan receivables was $66 million , of which $49 million was unfunded, while the associated allowance for expected losses was immaterial. As of September 30, 2015 , we have commitments of $233 million to fund potential future loan originations related to this investment program. These commitments are contingent upon the availability of middle market loans that meet our underwriting criteria. Securities Lending and Pledged Securities We lend fixed-maturity securities to financial institutions in short-term security-lending transactions. These short-term security-lending arrangements increase investment income with minimal risk. Our security lending policy requires that the fair value of the securities and/or unrestricted cash received as collateral be 102% or more of the fair value of the loaned securities. These securities continue to be carried as investment assets on our balance sheet during the terms of the loans and are not reported as sales. We receive cash or other securities as collateral for such loans. For loans involving unrestricted cash or securities as collateral, the collateral is reported as an asset with a corresponding liability for the return of the collateral. Details of our securities lending activities were as follows: Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings September 30, 2015 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements (In millions) Overnight (1) Up to 30 Total Securities lending transactions: Japan government and agencies $ 145 $ 309 $ 454 Public utilities 119 0 119 Sovereign and supranational 3 0 3 Banks/financial institutions 13 0 13 Other corporate 318 0 318 Total borrowings $ 598 $ 309 $ 907 Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions $ 907 Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4 $ 0 (1) These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous. Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings December 31, 2014 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements (In millions) Overnight (1) Up to 30 Total Securities lending transactions: Japan government and agencies $ 0 $ 1,720 $ 1,720 Public utilities 80 0 80 Sovereign and supranational 1 0 1 Banks/financial institutions 64 0 64 Other corporate 328 0 328 Total borrowings $ 473 $ 1,720 $ 2,193 Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions $ 2,193 Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4 $ 0 (1) These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous. We did not have any repurchase agreements or repurchase-to-maturity transactions outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Certain fixed-maturity securities have been pledged as collateral as part of derivative transactions. For additional information regarding pledged securities related to derivative transactions, see Note 4.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Our freestanding derivative financial instruments consist of: (1) foreign currency swaps and credit default swaps that are associated with investments in special-purpose entities, including VIEs where we are the primary beneficiary; (2) foreign currency forwards and options used in hedging foreign exchange risk on U.S. dollar-denominated securities in Aflac Japan's portfolio; (3) foreign currency forwards and options used to hedge foreign exchange risk from our net investment in Aflac Japan and economically hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows denominated in yen; (4) swaps associated with our notes payable, consisting of cross-currency interest rate swaps, also referred to as foreign currency swaps, associated with certain senior notes and our subordinated debentures; and (5) options on interest rate swaps (or interest rate swaptions) and futures used to hedge interest rate risk for certain available-for-sale securities. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes, nor do we engage in leveraged derivative transactions. Some of our derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, fair value hedges or net investment hedges; however, other derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting or we elect not to designate them as an accounting hedge. We utilize a net investment hedge to mitigate foreign exchange exposure resulting from our net investment in Aflac Japan. In addition to designating derivatives as hedging instruments, we have designated our yen-denominated Samurai and Uridashi notes as nonderivative hedging instruments for this net investment hedge. Derivative Types We enter into foreign currency swaps pursuant to which we exchange an initial principal amount in one currency for an initial principal amount of another currency, with an agreement to re-exchange the currencies at a future date at an agreed upon exchange rate. There may also be periodic exchanges of payments at specified intervals based on the agreed upon rates and notional amounts. Foreign currency swaps are used primarily in the consolidated VIEs in our Aflac Japan portfolio to convert foreign-denominated cash flows to yen, the functional currency of Aflac Japan, in order to minimize cash flow fluctuations. We also use foreign currency swaps to economically convert certain of our dollar-denominated senior note and subordinated debenture principal and interest obligations into yen-denominated obligations. Foreign currency forwards and options with short-term maturities are executed for the Aflac Japan segment in order to hedge the currency risk on the fair value of certain fixed-maturity dollar-denominated securities. In forward transactions, Aflac Japan agrees with another party to buy a fixed amount of yen and sell a corresponding amount of U.S. dollars at a specified future date. Aflac Japan also executes foreign currency option transactions in a collar strategy, where Aflac Japan agrees with another party to simultaneously purchase a fixed amount of U.S. dollar put options and sell U.S. dollar call options. The combination of these two actions results in no net premium being paid (i.e. a costless or zero-cost collar). The foreign currency forwards and options are used in fair value hedging relationships to mitigate the foreign exchange risk associated with dollar-denominated investments supporting yen-denominated liabilities. Foreign currency forwards and options are also used to hedge the currency risk associated with the net investment in Aflac Japan. In these forward transactions, Aflac agrees with another party to buy a fixed amount of U.S. dollars and sell a corresponding amount of yen at a specified future date. In the option transactions, we use a combination of foreign currency options to protect expected future cash flows by simultaneously purchasing yen put options (options that protect against a weakening yen) and selling yen call options (options that limit participation in a strengthening yen). The combination of these two actions results in no net premium being paid (i.e. a costless or zero-cost collar). The only CDS that we currently hold relates to components of an investment in a VIE and is used to assume credit risk related to an individual security. This CDS contract entitles the consolidated VIE to receive periodic fees in exchange for an obligation to compensate the derivative counterparties should the referenced security issuer experience a credit event, as defined in the contract. Interest rate swaps involve the periodic exchange of cash flows with other parties, at specified intervals, calculated using agreed upon rates or other financial variables and notional principal amounts. Typically, at the time a swap is entered into, the cash flow streams exchanged by the counterparties are equal in value. No cash or principal payments are exchanged at the inception of the contract. Interest rate swaps are primarily used to convert interest receipts on floating-rate fixed-maturity securities contracts to fixed rates. These derivatives are predominantly used to better match cash receipts from assets with cash disbursements required to fund liabilities. Interest rate swaptions are options on interest rate swaps. Interest rate collars are combinations of two swaption positions and are executed in order to hedge certain dollar-denominated available-for-sale securities that are held in the Aflac Japan segment. We use collars to protect against significant changes in the fair value associated with interest rate changes of our dollar-denominated available-for-sale securities. In order to maximize the efficiency of the collars while minimizing cost, we set the strike price on each collar so that the premium paid for the ‘payer leg’ is offset by the premium received for having sold the ‘receiver leg’. Periodically, depending on general economic conditions, we may enter into other derivative transactions. Credit Risk Assumed through Derivatives For the foreign currency and credit default swaps associated with our VIE investments for which we are the primary beneficiary, we bear the risk of foreign exchange loss due to counterparty default even though we are not a direct counterparty to those contracts. We are a direct counterparty to the foreign currency swaps that we have entered into in connection with certain of our senior notes, subordinated debentures, and Samurai notes; foreign currency forwards; foreign currency options; and interest rate swaptions, and therefore we are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties in those contracts. The risk of counterparty default for our VIE swaps, foreign currency swaps, certain foreign currency forwards, foreign currency options and interest rate swaptions is mitigated by collateral posting requirements that counterparties to those transactions must meet. As of September 30, 2015 , there were 17 counterparties to our derivative agreements, with four comprising 56% of the aggregate notional amount. The counterparties to these derivatives are financial institutions with the following credit ratings: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Notional Amount Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Notional Amount Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Counterparties' credit rating: AA $ 2,277 $ 175 $ (41 ) $ 1,098 $ 39 $ (36 ) A 21,079 702 (343 ) 22,564 763 (2,387 ) Total $ 23,356 $ 877 $ (384 ) $ 23,662 $ 802 $ (2,423 ) We engage in derivative transactions directly with unaffiliated third parties under International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) agreements and other documentation. Most of the ISDA agreements also include Credit Support Annex (CSA) provisions, which generally provide for two-way collateral postings, in certain cases at the first dollar of exposure and in other cases once various rating and exposure threshold levels are triggered. We mitigate the risk that counterparties to transactions might be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations by monitoring counterparty credit exposure and collateral value while generally requiring that collateral be posted at the outset of the transaction or that additional collateral be posted upon the occurrence of certain events or circumstances. In addition, a significant portion of the derivative transactions have provisions that require collateral to be posted upon a downgrade of our long-term debt ratings or give the counterparty the right to terminate the transaction upon a downgrade of Aflac’s financial strength rating. The actual amount of collateral required to be posted to counterparties in the event of such downgrades, or the aggregate amount of payments that we could be required to make, depends on market conditions, the fair value of outstanding affected transactions, and other factors prevailing at and after the time of the downgrade. The fair value of collateral posted by us to third parties for derivative transactions of $7 million at September 30, 2015 consisted entirely of cash. The fair value of collateral posted by us to third parties for derivative transactions of $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014 consisted entirely of securities. This collateral can generally be repledged or resold by the counterparties. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position by counterparty was approximately $7 million and $2.1 billion as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had been triggered on September 30, 2015 , the amount of collateral we would be required to post to these derivative counterparties would be immaterial. Collateral obtained by us from third parties for derivative transactions was $622 million and $619 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. We are generally allowed to sell or repledge collateral obtained from our derivative counterparties, although we do not typically exercise such rights. Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Freestanding derivatives are carried at estimated fair value in our consolidated balance sheets either as other assets or as other liabilities. See Note 5 for a discussion on how we determine the fair value of our derivatives. Accruals on derivatives are recorded in accrued investment income or within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. If a derivative is not designated as an accounting hedge or its use in managing risk does not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative are generally reported within derivative and other gains(losses), which is a component of realized investment gains (losses). The fluctuations in estimated fair value of derivatives that have not been designated for hedge accounting can result in volatility in net earnings. Hedge Documentation and Effectiveness Testing To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be highly effective in mitigating the designated risk of the hedged item. At the inception of the hedging relationship for hedges we elect to designate for hedge accounting treatment, we formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction. We document the designation of each hedge as either (i) a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability or the hedge of a forecasted transaction ("cash flow hedge"); (ii) a hedge of the estimated fair value of a recognized asset or liability ("fair value hedge"); or (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The documentation process includes linking derivatives and nonderivatives that are designated as hedges to specific assets or groups of assets or liabilities on the statement of financial position or to specific forecasted transactions and defining the effectiveness and ineffectiveness testing methods to be used. At the hedge's inception and on an ongoing quarterly basis, we also formally assess whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been, and are expected to continue to be, highly effective in offsetting their designated risk. Hedge effectiveness is assessed using qualitative and quantitative methods. For assessing hedge effectiveness of cash flow hedges, qualitative methods may include the comparison of critical terms of the derivative to the hedged item, and quantitative methods may include regression or other statistical analysis of changes in cash flows associated with the hedge relationship. Hedge ineffectiveness of the hedge relationships on our VIE cash flow hedges is measured each reporting period using the “Hypothetical Derivative Method.” For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings within derivative and other gains (losses). All components of each derivative's gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. For assessing hedge effectiveness of fair value hedges, qualitative methods may include the comparison of critical terms of the derivative to the hedged item, and quantitative methods may include regression or other statistical analysis of changes in fair value associated with the hedge relationship. Hedge ineffectiveness of the hedge relationships is measured each reporting period using the dollar offset method. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative, including amounts measured as ineffectiveness, and changes in the estimated fair value of the hedged item related to the designated risk being hedged, are reported in current earnings within derivative and other gains (losses). For the hedge of our net investment in Aflac Japan, we have designated Parent Company yen-denominated liabilities as non-derivative hedging instruments and have designated certain foreign currency forwards and options as derivative hedging instruments. We make our net investment hedge designation at the beginning of each quarter. For assessing hedge effectiveness of net investment hedges, if the total of the designated Parent Company non-derivative and derivatives notional is equal to or less than our net investment in Aflac Japan, the hedge is deemed to be effective. If the hedge is effective, the related exchange effect on the yen-denominated liabilities is reported in the unrealized foreign currency component of other comprehensive income. For derivatives designated as net investment hedges, Aflac follows the forward-rate method. According to that method, all changes in fair value, including changes related to the forward-rate component of foreign currency forward contracts and the time value of foreign currency options, are reported in the unrealized foreign currency component of other comprehensive income. Should these designated net investment hedge positions exceed our net investment in Aflac Japan, the foreign exchange effect on the portion that exceeds our investment in Aflac Japan would be recognized in current earnings within derivative and other gains (losses). Discontinuance of Hedge Accounting We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated cash flows or fair value of a hedged item; (2) the derivative is de-designated as a hedging instrument; or (3) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised. When hedge accounting is discontinued on a cash flow hedge or fair value hedge, the derivative is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in current period earnings. For discontinued cash flow hedges, including those where the derivative is sold, terminated or exercised, amounts previously deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified into earnings when earnings are impacted by the cash flow of the hedged item. Derivative Balance Sheet Classification The tables below summarize the balance sheet classification of our derivative fair value amounts, as well as the gross asset and liability fair value amounts. The fair value amounts presented do not include income accruals. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated. Notional amounts are not reflective of credit risk. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Net Derivatives Asset Liability Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type Notional Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Cash flow hedges: Foreign currency swaps $ 75 $ (18 ) $ 0 $ (18 ) Total cash flow hedges 75 (18 ) 0 (18 ) Fair value hedges: Foreign currency forwards 12,714 239 248 (9 ) Foreign currency options 1,250 0 1 (1 ) Total fair value hedges 13,964 239 249 (10 ) Net investment hedge: Foreign currency forwards 1,455 5 19 (14 ) Foreign currency options 168 (3 ) 4 (7 ) Total net investment hedge 1,623 2 23 (21 ) Non-qualifying strategies: Foreign currency swaps 6,604 270 604 (334 ) Foreign currency forwards 1,007 0 1 (1 ) Credit default swaps 83 0 0 0 Total non-qualifying strategies 7,694 270 605 (335 ) Total derivatives $ 23,356 $ 493 $ 877 $ (384 ) Balance Sheet Location Other assets $ 16,776 $ 877 $ 877 $ 0 Other liabilities 6,580 (384 ) 0 (384 ) Total derivatives $ 23,356 $ 493 $ 877 $ (384 ) December 31, 2014 (In millions) Net Derivatives Asset Liability Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type Notional Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Cash flow hedges: Foreign currency swaps $ 75 $ (15 ) $ 0 $ (15 ) Total cash flow hedges 75 (15 ) 0 (15 ) Fair value hedges: Foreign currency forwards 12,388 (1,791 ) 0 (1,791 ) Foreign currency options 697 (32 ) 0 (32 ) Interest rate swaptions 2,502 (159 ) 0 (159 ) Total fair value hedges 15,587 (1,982 ) 0 (1,982 ) Net investment hedge: Foreign currency forwards 1,307 54 56 (2 ) Total net investment hedge 1,307 54 56 (2 ) Non-qualifying strategies: Foreign currency swaps 5,765 443 746 (303 ) Foreign currency forwards 784 (119 ) 0 (119 ) Foreign currency options 53 (1 ) 0 (1 ) Credit default swaps 83 0 0 0 Interest rate swaptions 8 (1 ) 0 (1 ) Total non-qualifying strategies 6,693 322 746 (424 ) Total derivatives $ 23,662 $ (1,621 ) $ 802 $ (2,423 ) Balance Sheet Location Other assets $ 6,531 $ 802 $ 802 $ 0 Other liabilities 17,131 (2,423 ) 0 (2,423 ) Total derivatives $ 23,662 $ (1,621 ) $ 802 $ (2,423 ) Cash Flow Hedges Certain of our consolidated VIEs have foreign currency swaps that qualify for hedge accounting treatment. For those that have qualified, we have designated the derivative as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a forecasted transaction or of amounts to be received or paid related to a recognized asset (“cash flow” hedge). We expect to continue this hedging activity for a weighted-average period of approximately 10 years. The remaining derivatives in our consolidated VIEs that have not qualified for hedge accounting have been designated as held for other investment purposes (“non-qualifying strategies”). Fair Value Hedges We designate and account for certain foreign currency forwards and options as fair value hedges when they meet the requirements for hedge accounting. These foreign currency forwards and options hedge the foreign currency exposure of certain dollar-denominated fixed maturity securities within the investment portfolio of our Aflac Japan segment. We recognize gains and losses on these derivatives and the related hedged items in current earnings within derivative and other gains (losses). The change in the fair value of the foreign currency forwards related to the changes in the difference between the spot rate and the forward price is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The change in fair value of the foreign currency option related to the time value of the option is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. We designate and account for interest rate swaptions as fair value hedges when they meet the requirements for hedge accounting. These interest rate swaptions hedge the interest rate exposure of certain dollar-denominated fixed maturity securities within the investment portfolio of our Aflac Japan segment. We recognize gains and losses on these derivatives and the related hedged items in current earnings within derivative and other gains (losses). The change in the fair value of the interest rate swaptions related to the time value of the option is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The following table presents the gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges. Fair Value Hedging Relationships (In millions) Hedging Derivatives Hedged Items Hedging Derivatives Hedged Items Total Gains (Losses) Gains (Losses) Gains (Losses) Ineffectiveness Three Months Ended September 30, 2015: Foreign currency Fixed-maturity securities $ 247 $ (28 ) $ 275 $ (267 ) $ 8 Foreign currency Fixed-maturity securities (1 ) (1 ) 0 0 0 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015: Foreign currency forwards Fixed-maturity securities $ 17 $ (60 ) $ 77 $ (62 ) $ 15 Foreign currency options Fixed-maturity securities (4 ) 3 (7 ) 7 0 Interest rate Fixed-maturity securities (95 ) 19 (114 ) 99 (15 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2014: Foreign currency Fixed-maturity securities $ (1,094 ) $ (1 ) $ (1,093 ) $ 1,097 $ 4 Foreign currency options Fixed-maturity securities (9 ) (9 ) 0 0 0 Interest rate Fixed-maturity securities (34 ) 2 (36 ) 37 1 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014: Foreign currency forwards Fixed-maturity securities $ (631 ) $ (36 ) $ (595 ) $ 624 $ 29 Foreign currency options Fixed-maturity securities (8 ) (8 ) 0 0 0 Interest rate Fixed-maturity securities (160 ) (20 ) (140 ) 150 10 Net Investment Hedge Our primary exposure to be hedged is our net investment in Aflac Japan, which is affected by changes in the yen/dollar exchange rate. To mitigate this exposure, we have designated the Parent Company's yen-denominated liabilities (Samurai and Uridashi notes - see Note 7) as nonderivative hedges and designated foreign currency forwards and options as derivative hedges of the foreign currency exposure of our net investment in Aflac Japan. We used foreign exchange forwards to hedge foreign exchange risk on 30.0 billion yen, 102.5 billion yen and 25.0 billion yen of profit repatriation received from Aflac Japan in February 2015, July 2015 and September 2015, respectively. As of September 30, 2015 , we had entered into foreign exchange forwards and options as part of a hedge on 194.6 billion yen of future profit repatriation. Our net investment hedge was effective during the three- and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Non-qualifying Strategies For our derivative instruments in consolidated VIEs that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, all changes in their fair value are reported in current period earnings within derivative and other gains (losses). The amount of gain or loss recognized in earnings for our VIEs is attributable to the derivatives in those investment structures. While the change in value of the swaps is recorded through current period earnings, the change in value of the available-for-sale fixed-maturity or perpetual securities associated with these swaps is recorded through other comprehensive income. We have cross-currency interest rate swap agreements related to our $400 million senior notes due February 2017, $550 million senior notes due March 2020, $350 million senior notes due February 2022, $700 million senior notes due June 2023, $750 million senior notes due November 2024, $450 million senior notes due March 2025, and $500 million subordinated debentures due September 2052. Changes in the values of these swaps are recorded through current period earnings. For additional information regarding these swaps, see Note 7 in this report and Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014. Impact of Derivatives and Hedging Instruments The following table summarizes the impact to realized investment gains (losses) and other comprehensive income (loss) from all derivatives and hedging instruments. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (In millions) Realized Investment Other (1) Realized Investment Other (1) Realized Investment Other (1) Realized Investment Other (1) Qualifying hedges: Cash flow Foreign $ 0 $ (1 ) $ (1 ) $ (9 ) $ 0 $ (3 ) $ (2 ) $ (8 ) Total cash flow 0 (1 ) (1 ) (9 ) 0 (3 ) (2 ) (8 ) Fair value Foreign (2) (20 ) 0 3 0 (45 ) 0 (7 ) 0 Foreign (2) (1 ) 0 (9 ) 0 3 0 (8 ) 0 Interest rate (2) 0 0 3 0 4 0 (10 ) 0 Total fair value (21 ) 0 (3 ) 0 (38 ) 0 (25 ) 0 Net investment Non- 0 (4 ) 0 32 0 1 0 4 Foreign 0 (35 ) 0 11 0 (1 ) 0 (2 ) Foreign 0 (3 ) 0 0 0 (3 ) 0 (3 ) Total net 0 (42 ) 0 43 0 (3 ) 0 (1 ) Non-qualifying Foreign 2 0 44 0 0 0 48 0 Foreign 17 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 Credit (1 ) 0 (1 ) 0 0 0 2 0 Interest rate 0 0 (2 ) 0 5 0 (1 ) 0 Futures 0 0 (54 ) 0 0 0 (89 ) 0 Total non- 18 0 (13 ) 0 21 0 (40 ) 0 Total $ (3 ) $ (43 ) $ (17 ) $ 34 $ (17 ) $ (6 ) $ (67 ) $ (9 ) (1) Cash flow hedge items are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and net investment hedge items are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). (2) Impact shown net of effect of hedged items (see Fair Value Hedges section of this Note 4 for further detail) There was no gain or loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings related to our designated cash flow hedges and net investment hedge for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. As of September 30, 2015 , deferred gains and losses on derivative instruments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months were immaterial. Offsetting of Financial Instruments and Derivatives Some of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that provide for the net settlement of all derivative contracts between the Parent Company or Aflac and its respective counterparty in the event of default or upon the occurrence of certain termination events. Collateral support agreements with certain of the master netting arrangements provide that the Company will receive or pledge financial collateral in the event either minimum thresholds, or in certain cases ratings levels, have been reached. We have securities lending agreements with unaffiliated financial institutions that post collateral to us in return for the use of our fixed maturity securities (see Note 3). When we have entered into securities lending agreements with the same counterparty, the agreements generally provide for net settlement in the event of default by the counterparty. This right of set-off allows us to keep and apply collateral received if the counterparty failed to return the securities borrowed from us as contractually agreed. The tables below summarize our derivatives and securities lending transactions, and as reflected in the tables, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, our policy is to not offset these financial instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets September 30, 2015 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Assets Gross Amount Net Amount of Assets Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Received Net Amount Derivative assets: Foreign currency swaps $ 604 $ 0 $ 604 $ 0 $ (331 ) $ 273 Foreign currency forwards 268 0 268 0 (290 ) (22 ) Foreign currency options 5 0 5 0 (1 ) 4 Total derivative assets, 877 0 877 0 (622 ) (1) 255 Securities lending and 885 0 885 0 (885 ) 0 Total $ 1,762 $ 0 $ 1,762 $ 0 $ (1,507 ) $ 255 (1) Consists of $272 of pledged securities and $350 of cash. December 31, 2014 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Assets Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet Net Amount of Assets Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Received Net Amount Derivative assets: Foreign currency swaps $ 746 $ 0 $ 746 $ 0 $ (568 ) $ 178 Foreign currency forwards 56 0 56 0 (51 ) 5 Total derivative assets, 802 0 802 0 (619 ) (1) 183 Securities lending and 2,149 0 2,149 0 (2,149 ) 0 Total $ 2,951 $ 0 $ 2,951 $ 0 $ (2,768 ) $ 183 (1) Consists of $153 of pledged securities and $466 of cash. Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities September 30, 2015 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet Net Amount of Liabilities Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Pledged Net Amount Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ (352 ) $ 0 $ (352 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ (352 ) Foreign currency forwards (24 ) 0 (24 ) 0 5 (19 ) Foreign currency options (8 ) 0 (8 ) 0 2 (6 ) Total derivative liabilities, (384 ) 0 (384 ) 0 7 (1) (377 ) Securities lending and (907 ) 0 (907 ) 885 0 (22 ) Total $ (1,291 ) $ 0 $ (1,291 ) $ 885 $ 7 $ (399 ) (1) Consists entirely of cash. December 31, 2014 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet Net Amount of Liabilities Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Pledged Net Amount Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ (318 ) $ 0 $ (318 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ (318 ) Foreign currency forwards (1,912 ) 0 (1,912 ) 0 1,439 (473 ) Foreign currency options (33 ) 0 (33 ) 0 24 (9 ) Interest rate swaptions (160 ) 0 (160 ) 0 158 (2 ) Total derivative liabilities, (2,423 ) 0 (2,423 ) 0 1,621 (1) (802 ) Securities lending and (2,193 ) 0 (2,193 ) 2,149 0 (44 ) Total $ (4,616 ) $ 0 $ (4,616 ) $ 2,149 $ 1,621 $ (846 ) (1) Consists entirely of pledged securities. For additional information on our financial instruments, see the accompanying Notes 1, 3 and 5 and Notes 1, 3 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Hierarchy U.S. GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. These two types of inputs create three valuation hierarchy levels. Level 1 valuations reflect quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 valuations reflect quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets or model-derived valuations in which all significant valuation inputs are observable in active markets. Level 3 valuations reflect valuations in which one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in an active market. The following tables present the fair value hierarchy levels of the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 17,920 $ 545 $ 0 $ 18,465 Municipalities 0 1,166 0 1,166 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 371 220 591 Public utilities 0 7,848 0 7,848 Sovereign and supranational 0 1,421 0 1,421 Banks/financial institutions 0 6,235 26 6,261 Other corporate 0 29,354 0 29,354 Total fixed maturities 17,920 46,940 246 65,106 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions 0 1,964 0 1,964 Other corporate 0 202 0 202 Total perpetual securities 0 2,166 0 2,166 Equity securities 122 6 3 131 Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 0 498 106 604 Foreign currency forwards 0 268 0 268 Foreign currency options 0 5 0 5 Total other assets 0 771 106 877 Other investments 182 0 0 182 Cash and cash equivalents 3,520 0 0 3,520 Total assets $ 21,744 $ 49,883 $ 355 $ 71,982 Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 0 $ 9 $ 343 $ 352 Foreign currency forwards 0 24 0 24 Foreign currency options 0 8 0 8 Total liabilities $ 0 $ 41 $ 343 $ 384 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 18,683 $ 515 $ 0 $ 19,198 Municipalities 0 1,257 0 1,257 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 379 223 602 Public utilities 0 7,897 0 7,897 Sovereign and supranational 0 1,416 0 1,416 Banks/financial institutions 0 6,572 26 6,598 Other corporate 0 28,605 0 28,605 Total fixed maturities 18,683 46,641 249 65,573 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions 0 2,289 149 2,438 Other corporate 0 231 0 231 Total perpetual securities 0 2,520 149 2,669 Equity securities 19 6 3 28 Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 0 640 106 746 Foreign currency forwards 0 56 0 56 Total other assets 0 696 106 802 Other investments 171 0 0 171 Cash and cash equivalents 4,658 0 0 4,658 Total assets $ 23,531 $ 49,863 $ 507 $ 73,901 Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 0 $ 0 $ 318 $ 318 Foreign currency forwards 0 1,912 0 1,912 Foreign currency options 0 33 0 33 Interest rate swaptions 0 160 0 160 Total liabilities $ 0 $ 2,105 $ 318 $ 2,423 The following tables present the carrying amount and fair value categorized by fair value hierarchy level for the Company's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities held to maturity, Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 20,115 $ 22,991 $ 0 $ 0 $ 22,991 Municipalities 345 0 409 0 409 Mortgage and asset-backed 38 0 13 27 40 Public utilities 3,108 0 3,128 0 3,128 Sovereign and 2,569 0 2,686 0 2,686 Banks/financial institutions 4,539 0 4,544 0 4,544 Other corporate 3,015 0 3,150 0 3,150 Other investments 66 0 0 66 66 Total assets $ 33,795 $ 22,991 $ 13,930 $ 93 $ 37,014 Liabilities: Other policyholders’ funds $ 6,284 $ 0 $ 0 $ 6,156 $ 6,156 Notes payable 4,993 0 0 5,277 5,277 Total liabilities $ 11,277 $ 0 $ 0 $ 11,433 $ 11,433 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities held to maturity, Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 20,023 $ 23,218 $ 0 $ 0 $ 23,218 Municipalities 346 0 417 0 417 Mortgage and asset-backed 43 0 15 31 46 Public utilities 3,342 0 3,603 0 3,603 Sovereign and 2,556 0 2,814 0 2,814 Banks/financial institutions 4,932 0 5,085 0 5,085 Other corporate 3,000 0 3,314 0 3,314 Total assets $ 34,242 $ 23,218 $ 15,248 $ 31 $ 38,497 Liabilities: Other policyholders’ funds $ 6,031 $ 0 $ 0 $ 5,905 $ 5,905 Notes payable 5,268 0 0 5,835 5,835 Total liabilities $ 11,299 $ 0 $ 0 $ 11,740 $ 11,740 Fair Value of Financial Instruments U.S. GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments including those that are not carried at fair value. The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, other investments, receivables, accrued investment income, accounts payable, cash collateral and payables for security transactions approximated their fair values due to the nature of these instruments. Liabilities for future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims are not financial instruments as defined by U.S. GAAP. Fixed maturities, perpetual securities, and equity securities We determine the fair values of our fixed maturity securities, perpetual securities, and public and privately issued equity securities using the following approaches or techniques: price quotes and valuations from third party pricing vendors (including quoted market prices readily available from public exchange markets) and non-binding price quotes we obtain from outside brokers. A third party pricing vendor has developed valuation models to determine fair values of privately issued securities to reflect the impact of the persistent economic environment and the changing regulatory framework. These models are discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation models, but also use information from related markets, specifically the CDS market to estimate expected cash flows. These models take into consideration any unique characteristics of the securities and make various adjustments to arrive at an appropriate issuer-specific loss adjusted credit curve. This credit curve is then used with the relevant recovery rates to estimate expected cash flows and modeling of additional features, including illiquidity adjustments, if necessary, to price the security by discounting those loss adjusted cash flows. In cases where a credit curve cannot be developed from the specific security features, the valuation methodology takes into consideration other market observable inputs, including: 1) the most appropriate comparable security(ies) of the issuer; 2) issuer-specific CDS spreads; 3) bonds or CDS spreads of comparable issuers with similar characteristics such as rating, geography, or sector; or 4) bond indices that are comparative in rating, industry, maturity and region. The pricing data and market quotes we obtain from outside sources, including third party pricing services, are reviewed internally for reasonableness. If a fair value appears unreasonable, we will re-examine the inputs and assess the reasonableness of the pricing data with the vendor. Additionally, we may compare the inputs to relevant market indices and other performance measurements. The output of this analysis is presented to the Company's Valuation and Classifications Subcommittee (VCS). Based on the analysis provided to the VCS, the valuation is confirmed or may be revised if there is evidence of a more appropriate estimate of fair value based on available market data. We have performed verification of the inputs and calculations in any valuation models to confirm that the valuations represent reasonable estimates of fair value. The fixed maturities classified as Level 3 consist of securities for which there are limited or no observable valuation inputs. For Level 3 securities that are investment grade, we estimate the fair value of these securities by obtaining non-binding broker quotes from a limited number of brokers. These brokers base their quotes on a combination of their knowledge of the current pricing environment and market conditions. We consider these inputs to be unobservable. For Level 3 investments that are below-investment-grade securities, we consider a variety of significant valuation inputs in the valuation process, including forward exchange rates, yen swap rates, dollar swap rates, interest rate volatilities, credit spread data on specific issuers, assumed default and default recovery rates, and certain probability assumptions. In obtaining these valuation inputs, we have determined that certain pricing assumptions and data used by our pricing sources are difficult to validate or corroborate by the market and/or appear to be internally developed rather than observed in or corroborated by the market. The use of these unobservable valuation inputs causes more subjectivity in the valuation process for these securities. For the periods presented, we have not adjusted the quotes or prices we obtain from the pricing services and brokers we use. The following tables present the pricing sources for the fair values of our fixed maturities, perpetual securities, and equity securities. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 17,920 $ 545 $ 0 $ 18,465 Total government and agencies 17,920 545 0 18,465 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,166 0 1,166 Total municipalities 0 1,166 0 1,166 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 371 0 371 Broker/other 0 0 220 220 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 371 220 591 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 7,848 0 7,848 Total public utilities 0 7,848 0 7,848 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,421 0 1,421 Total sovereign and supranational 0 1,421 0 1,421 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 6,235 0 6,235 Broker/other 0 0 26 26 Total banks/financial institutions 0 6,235 26 6,261 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 29,304 0 29,304 Broker/other 0 50 0 50 Total other corporate 0 29,354 0 29,354 Total fixed maturities 17,920 46,940 246 65,106 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,964 0 1,964 Total banks/financial institutions 0 1,964 0 1,964 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 202 0 202 Total other corporate 0 202 0 202 Total perpetual securities 0 2,166 0 2,166 Equity securities: Third party pricing vendor 122 6 0 128 Broker/other 0 0 3 3 Total equity securities 122 6 3 131 Total securities available for sale $ 18,042 $ 49,112 $ 249 $ 67,403 September 30, 2015 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 22,991 $ 0 $ 0 $ 22,991 Total government and agencies 22,991 0 0 22,991 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 409 0 409 Total municipalities 0 409 0 409 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 13 0 13 Broker/other 0 0 27 27 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 13 27 40 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,128 0 3,128 Total public utilities 0 3,128 0 3,128 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 2,686 0 2,686 Total sovereign and supranational 0 2,686 0 2,686 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 4,544 0 4,544 Total banks/financial institutions 0 4,544 0 4,544 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,123 0 3,123 Broker/other 0 27 0 27 Total other corporate 0 3,150 0 3,150 Total securities held to maturity $ 22,991 $ 13,930 $ 27 $ 36,948 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Observable Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 18,683 $ 515 $ 0 $ 19,198 Total government and agencies 18,683 515 0 19,198 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,257 0 1,257 Total municipalities 0 1,257 0 1,257 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 379 0 379 Broker/other 0 0 223 223 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 379 223 602 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 7,897 0 7,897 Total public utilities 0 7,897 0 7,897 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,416 0 1,416 Total sovereign and supranational 0 1,416 0 1,416 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 6,514 0 6,514 Broker/other 0 58 26 84 Total banks/financial institutions 0 6,572 26 6,598 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 28,605 0 28,605 Total other corporate 0 28,605 0 28,605 Total fixed maturities 18,683 46,641 249 65,573 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 2,289 0 2,289 Broker/other 0 0 149 149 Total banks/financial institutions 0 2,289 149 2,438 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 231 0 231 Total other corporate 0 231 0 231 Total perpetual securities 0 2,520 149 2,669 Equity securities: Third party pricing vendor 19 6 0 25 Broker/other 0 0 3 3 Total equity securities 19 6 3 28 Total securities available for sale $ 18,702 $ 49,167 $ 401 $ 68,270 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Observable Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 23,218 $ 0 $ 0 $ 23,218 Total government and agencies 23,218 0 0 23,218 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 417 0 417 Total municipalities 0 417 0 417 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 15 0 15 Broker/other 0 0 31 31 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 15 31 46 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,603 0 3,603 Total public utilities 0 3,603 0 3,603 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 2,814 0 2,814 Total sovereign and supranational 0 2,814 0 2,814 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 5,085 0 5,085 Total banks/financial institutions 0 5,085 0 5,085 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,287 0 3,287 Broker/other 0 27 0 27 Total other corporate 0 3,314 0 3,314 Total securities held to maturity $ 23,218 $ 15,248 $ 31 $ 38,497 The following is a discussion of the determination of fair value of our remaining financial instruments. Derivatives We use derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with certain assets. However, the derivative instrument may not be classified in the same fair value hierarchy level as the associated asset. Inputs used to value derivatives include, but are not limited to, interest rates, credit spreads, foreign currency forward and spot rates, and interest volatility. The fair values of the foreign currency forwards, options, and interest rate swaptions associated with certain fixed-maturity securities; the foreign currency forwards and options used to hedge foreign exchange risk from our net investment in Aflac Japan and economically hedge certain portions of forecasted cash flows denominated in yen; and the foreign currency swaps associated with certain senior notes and our subordinated debentures are based on the amounts we would expect to receive or pay. The determination of the fair value of these derivatives is based on observable market inputs, therefore they are classified as Level 2. For derivatives associated with VIEs where we are the primary beneficiary, we are not the direct counterparty to the swap contracts. As a result, the fair value measurements incorporate the credit risk of the collateral associated with the VIE. We receive valuations from a third party pricing vendor for these derivatives. Based on an analysis of these derivatives and a review of the methodology employed by the pricing vendor, we determined that due to the long duration of these swaps and the need to extrapolate from short-term observable data to derive and measure long-term inputs, certain inputs, assumptions and judgments are required to value future cash flows that cannot be corroborated by current inputs or current observable market data. As a result, the derivatives associated with our consolidated VIEs are classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Other policyholders' funds The largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability is our annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. Our annuities have fixed benefits and premiums. For this product, we estimated the fair value to be equal to the cash surrender value. This is analogous to the value paid to policyholders on the valuation date if they were to surrender their policy. We periodically check the cash value against discounted cash flow projections for reasonableness. We consider our inputs for this valuation to be unobservable and have accordingly classified this valuation as Level 3. Notes payable The fair values of our publicly issued notes payable classified as Level 3 were obtained from a limited number of independent brokers. These brokers base their quotes on a combination of their knowledge of the current pricing environment and market conditions. We consider these inputs to be unobservable. The fair values of our yen-denominated loans approximate their carrying values. Transfers between Hierarchy Levels and Level 3 Rollforward There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 for the three- and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The following tables present the changes in fair value of our available-for-sale investments and derivatives classified as Level 3. Three Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 214 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (223 ) $ 1 $ 20 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (13 ) (1 ) (14 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1 ) 0 6 Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Settlements 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 220 $ 0 $ 0 $ 26 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (237 ) $ 0 $ 12 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ (14 ) $ (1 ) $ (15 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Three Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 266 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ (1 ) $ 11 $ 0 $ 304 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (93 ) (1 ) (93 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other (18 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (9 ) 0 (27 ) Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Settlements (3 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (3 ) Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 245 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (91 ) $ (1 ) $ 181 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1 $ (93 ) $ (1 ) $ (93 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Nine Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 223 $ 0 $ 0 $ 26 $ 0 $ 149 $ 3 $ 0 $ (212 ) $ 0 $ 189 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (38 ) 0 (38 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other (1 ) 0 0 0 0 (2 ) 0 0 (3 ) 0 (6 ) Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 (147 ) 0 0 0 0 (147 ) Settlements (2 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 14 Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 220 $ 0 $ 0 $ 26 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (237 ) $ 0 $ 12 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ (39 ) $ 0 $ (39 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Nine Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 369 $ 0 $ 0 $ 23 $ 0 $ 52 $ 3 $ 1 $ (99 ) $ (3 ) $ 346 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1 ) (79 ) 2 (78 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other (115 ) 0 0 2 0 8 0 0 (8 ) 0 (113 ) Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 (60 ) 0 0 0 0 (60 ) Settlements (9 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 95 0 86 Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 245 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (91 ) $ (1 ) $ 181 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ (1 ) $ (79 ) $ 2 $ (78 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Level 3 Significant Unobservable Input Sensitivity The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of our Level 3 available-for-sale investments and derivatives. Included in the tables are the inputs or range of possible inputs that have an effect on the overall valuation of the financial instruments. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Mortgage- and asset-backed securities $ 220 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Banks/financial institutions 26 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Equity securities 3 Net asset value Offered quotes $1 - $680 ($7) Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 4 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) CDS spreads 15 - 103 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) 102 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) Total assets $ 355 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate (d) N/A represents securities where we receive unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques or unobservable inputs. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 183 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) CDS spreads 15 - 103 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) 142 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) CDS spreads 67 - 251 bps 18 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) Total liabilities $ 343 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate December 31, 2014 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Mortgage- and asset-backed securities $ 223 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Banks/financial institutions 26 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions 149 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Equity securities 3 Net asset value Offered quotes $1-$677 ($6) Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 8 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) CDS spreads 16 - 105 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) 98 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) Total assets $ 507 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate (d) N/A represents securities where we receive unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques or unobservable inputs. December 31, 2014 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 176 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) CDS spreads 16 - 105 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) 111 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) CDS spreads 13 - 145 bps 31 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) Total liabilities $ 318 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate The following is a discussion of the significant unobservable inputs or valuation techniques used in determining the fair value of securities and derivatives classified as Level 3. Net Asset Value We hold certain unlisted equity securities whose fair value is derived based on the financial statements published by the investee. These securities do not trade on an active market and the valuations derived are dependent on the availability of timely financial reporting of the investee. Net asset value is an unobservable input in the determination of fair value of equity securities. Offered Quotes In circumstances where our valuation model price is overridden because it implies a value that is not consistent with current market conditions, we will solicit bids from a limited number of brokers. We also receive unadjusted prices from brokers for our mortgage and asset-backed securities. These quotes are non-binding but are reflective of valuation best estimates at that particular point in time. Offered quotes are an unobservable input in the determination of fair value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, certain banks/financial institutions, certain other corporate, and equity securities investments. Interest Rates, CDS Spreads, Foreign Exchange Rates The significant drivers of the valuation of the interest and foreign exchange swaps are interest rates, foreign exchange rates and CDS spreads. Our swaps have long maturities that increase the sensitivity of the swaps to interest rate fluctuations. Since most of our yen-denominated cross currency swaps are in a net liability position, an increase in interest rates will decrease the liabilities and increase the value of the swap. Foreign exchange swaps also have a lump-sum final settlement of foreign exchange principal receivables at the termination of the swap. An increase in yen interest rates will decrease the value of the final settlement foreign exchange receivables and decrease the value of the swap, and an increase in USD interest rates will increase the swap value. A similar sensitivity pattern is observed for the foreign exchange rates. When the spot U.S. dollar/Japanese yen (USD/JPY) foreign exchange rate decreases and the swap is receiving a final exchange payment in JPY, the swap value will increase due to the appreciation of the JPY. Most of our swaps are designed to receive payments in JPY at the termination and will thus be impacted by the USD/JPY foreign exchange rate in this way. In cases where there is no final foreign exchange receivable in JPY and we are paying JPY as interest payments and receiving USD, a decrease in the foreign exchange rate will lead to a decrease in the swap value. The extinguisher feature in most of our swaps results in a cessation of cash flows and no further payments between the parties to the swap in the event of a default on the referenced or underlying collateral. To price this feature, we apply the survival probability of the referenced entity to the projected cash flows. The survival probability uses the CDS spreads and recovery rates to adjust the present value of the cash flows. For extinguisher swaps with positive values, an increase in CDS spreads decreases the likelihood of receiving the final exchange payments and reduces the value of the swap. Due to the long duration of these swaps and the need to extrapolate from short-term observable data to derive and measure long-term inputs, certain inputs, assumptions and judgments are required to value future cash flows that cannot be corroborated by current inputs or current observable market data. Interest rates, CDS spreads, and foreign exchange rates are unobservable inputs in the determination of fair value of foreign currency swaps. Base Correlations, CDS Spreads, Recovery Rates Our remaining CDO is a tranche on a basket of single-name credit default swaps. The risk in this synthetic CDO comes from the single-name CDS risk and the correlations between the single names. The valuation of synthetic CDOs is dependent on the calibration of market prices for interest rates, single name CDS default probabilities and base correlation using financial modeling tools. Since there is limited or no observable data available for this tranche, the base correlations must be obtained from commonly traded market tranches such as the CDX and iTraxx indices. From the historical prices of these indices, base correlations can be obtained to develop a pricing curve of CDOs with different seniorities. Since the reference entities of the market indices do not match those in the portfolio underlying the synthetic CDO to be valued, several processing steps are taken to map the CDO in our portfolio to the indices. With the base correlation determined and the appropriate spreads selected, a valuation is calculated. An increase in the CDS spreads in the underlying portfolio leads to a decrease in the value due to higher probability of defaults and losses. The impact on the valuation due to base correlation depends on a number of factors, including the riskiness between market tranches and the modeled tranche based on our portfolio and the equivalence between detachment points in these tranches. Generally speaking, an increase in base correlation will decrease the value of the senior tranches while increasing the value of junior tranches. This may result in a positive or negative value change. The CDO tranche in our portfolio is a senior mezzanine tranche and, due to the low level of credit support for this type of tranche, exhibits equity-like behavior. As a result, an increase in recovery rates tends to cause its value to decrease. Base correlations, CDS spreads, and recovery rates are unobservable inputs in the determination of fair value of credit default swaps. For additional information on our investments and financial instruments, see the accompanying Notes 1, 3 and 4 and Notes 1, 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
REINSURANCE	REINSURANCE We enter into fixed quota-share coinsurance agreements with other companies in the normal course of business. For each of our reinsurance agreements, we determine whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Reinsurance premiums and benefits paid or provided are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums and benefits are reported net of insurance ceded. Effective March 31, 2015, we entered into a coinsurance transaction whereby we ceded 30.0% of the sickness hospital benefit of one of Aflac Japan’s closed in-force blocks of business. Effective April 1, 2015, we entered into a retrocession coinsurance transaction whereby we assumed 27.0% of the sickness hospital benefit of one of Aflac Japan’s closed in-force blocks of business through our subsidiary CAIC. For our reinsurance transactions to date, we have recorded a deferred profit liability related to the reinsurance transactions. The remaining deferred profit liability of $776 million , as of September 30, 2015 , included in future policy benefits in the consolidated balance sheet, is being amortized into income over the expected lives of the policies. We also have recorded a reinsurance recoverable for reinsurance transactions, which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet and had a remaining balance of $803 million as of September 30, 2015 . The following table reconciles direct premium income and direct benefits and claims to net amounts after the effect of reinsurance. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Direct premium income $ 4,464 $ 4,918 $ 13,426 $ 14,820 Ceded to other companies: Ceded Aflac Japan closed blocks (130 ) (70 ) (352 ) (215 ) Other (10 ) (10 ) (28 ) (30 ) Assumed from other companies: Retrocession activities 54 0 124 0 Other 2 3 6 8 Net premium income $ 4,380 $ 4,841 $ 13,176 $ 14,583 Direct benefits and claims $ 3,000 $ 3,425 $ 9,037 $ 10,075 Ceded benefits and change in reserves for future benefits: Ceded Aflac Japan closed blocks (119 ) (63 ) (320 ) (192 ) Other 8 (9 ) 12 (22 ) Assumed from other companies: Retrocession activities 50 0 116 0 Other (12 ) 2 (29 ) 7 Benefits and claims, net $ 2,927 $ 3,355 $ 8,816 $ 9,868 These reinsurance transactions are considered indemnity reinsurance that do not relieve us from our obligations to policyholders. In the event that the reinsurer is unable to meet their obligations, we remain liable for the reinsured claims.

NOTES PAYABLE

NOTES PAYABLE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
NOTES PAYABLE	NOTES PAYABLE A summary of notes payable follows: (In millions) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 3.45% senior notes paid August 2015 $ 0 $ 300 2.65% senior notes due February 2017 652 (1) 653 (1) 8.50% senior notes due May 2019 0 (2) 850 2.40% senior notes due March 2020 550 0 4.00% senior notes due February 2022 350 (3) 350 (3) 3.625% senior notes due June 2023 700 700 3.625% senior notes due November 2024 749 (3) 749 (3) 3.25% senior notes due March 2025 448 (3) 0 6.90% senior notes due December 2039 397 (3) 397 (3) 6.45% senior notes due August 2040 448 (3) 448 (3) 5.50% subordinated debentures due September 2052 500 500 Yen-denominated Uridashi notes: 2.26% notes due September 2016 (principal amount 8 billion yen) 67 66 Yen-denominated Samurai notes: 1.84% notes due July 2016 (principal amount 15.8 billion yen) 132 131 Yen-denominated loans: 3.60% loan paid July 2015 (principal amount 10 billion yen) 0 83 3.00% loan paid August 2015 (principal amount 5 billion yen) 0 41 Capitalized lease obligations payable through 2022 16 14 Total notes payable $ 5,009 $ 5,282 (1) Principal amount plus an issuance premium that is being amortized over the life of the notes (2) Redeemed in April 2015 (3) Principal amount net of an issuance discount that is being amortized over the life of the notes In August 2015, we paid off $300 million of 3.45% fixed-rate senior notes upon their maturity. In August 2015, we paid off a 5.0 billion yen loan at its maturity date (a total of approximately $41 million using the exchange rate at the maturity date). In July 2015, we paid off a 10.0 billion yen loan at its maturity date (a total of approximately $81 million using the exchange rate at the maturity date). In March 2015, the Parent Company issued two series of senior notes totaling $1.0 billion through a U.S. public debt offering. The first series, which totaled $550 million , bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.40% per annum, payable semi-annually, and has a five -year maturity. The second series, which totaled $450 million , bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.25% per annum, payable semi-annually, and has a ten -year maturity. We have entered into cross-currency swaps that convert the dollar-denominated principal and interest on the senior notes into yen-denominated obligations which results in lower nominal net interest rates on the debt. By entering into these cross-currency swaps, we economically converted our $550 million liability into a 67.0 billion yen liability and reduced the interest rate on this debt from 2.40% in dollars to .24% in yen, and we economically converted our $450 million liability into a 55.0 billion yen liability and reduced the interest rate on this debt from 3.25% in dollars to .82% in yen. In April 2015, the Parent Company used the proceeds from the March 2015 issuance of its fixed-rate senior notes to redeem $850 million of our 8.50% fixed-rate senior notes due May 2019 and to pay a portion of the corresponding $230 million make-whole premium due to the investors of these notes. In September 2015, we amended and restated our 50.0 billion yen senior unsecured revolving credit facility agreement, due to expire in March 2018, pursuant to which the Parent Company and Aflac jointly entered into a new five -year senior unsecured revolving credit facility agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions that provides for borrowings of up to 55.0 billion yen or the equivalent of yen in U.S. dollars on a revolving basis. This credit agreement provides for borrowings in Japanese yen or the equivalent of Japanese yen in U.S. dollars on a revolving basis. Borrowings bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a eurocurrency rate determined by reference to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1%, (2) the rate of interest for such day announced by Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as its prime rate and (3) the eurocurrency rate for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges between .79% and 1.275% for eurocurrency rate borrowings and 0.0% and .275% for base rate borrowings, depending on the Parent Company’s debt ratings as of the date of determination. In addition, the Parent Company and Aflac are required to pay a facility fee on the commitments ranging between .085% and .225% , also based on the Parent Company’s debt ratings as of the date of determination. Borrowings under the amended and restated credit facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including a capital contingency plan for the operations of the Parent Company and Aflac. The amended and restated credit facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants on a quarterly basis and will expire on the earlier of (a) September 18, 2020, or (b) the date the commitments are terminated pursuant to an event of default, as such term is defined in the credit agreement. As of September 30, 2015 , we did not have any borrowings outstanding under our 55.0 billion yen revolving credit agreement. In February 2015, the Parent Company and Aflac jointly entered into an uncommitted bilateral line of credit with a third party that provides for borrowings in the amount of $50 million . Borrowings will bear interest at the rate quoted by the bank and agreed upon at the time of making such loan and will have a three-month maturity period. There are no related facility fees, upfront expenses or financial covenant requirements. Borrowings under this credit agreement may be used for general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2015 , we did not have any borrowings outstanding under our $50 million credit agreement. The Parent Company and Aflac have an uncommitted bilateral line of credit that provides for borrowings in the amount of $100 million . Borrowings will bear interest at the rate quoted by the bank and agreed upon at the time of making such loan and will have a three-month maturity period. There are no related facility fees, upfront expense or financial covenant requirements. Borrowings under this credit agreement may be used for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the financing agreement will mature no later than three months after the last drawdown date of October 15, 2015. As of September 30, 2015 , we did not have any borrowings outstanding under our $100 million credit agreement. We were in compliance with all of the covenants of our notes payable and lines of credit at September 30, 2015 . No events of default or defaults occurred during the nine -month period ended September 30, 2015 . For additional information, see Notes 4 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY The following table is a reconciliation of the number of shares of the Company's common stock for the nine -month periods ended September 30 . (In thousands of shares) 2015 2014 Common stock - issued: Balance, beginning of period 668,132 667,046 Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares 1,377 921 Balance, end of period 669,509 667,967 Treasury stock: Balance, beginning of period 225,687 207,633 Purchases of treasury stock: Open market 17,421 11,070 Other 241 132 Dispositions of treasury stock: Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan (919 ) (930 ) Exercise of stock options (375 ) (316 ) Other (113 ) (121 ) Balance, end of period 241,942 217,468 Shares outstanding, end of period 427,567 450,499 Outstanding share-based awards are excluded from the calculation of weighted-average shares used in the computation of basic earnings per share (EPS). The following table presents the approximate number of share-based awards to purchase shares, on a weighted-average basis, that were considered to be anti-dilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the following periods. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Anti-dilutive share-based awards 2,126 1,486 1,798 903 Share Repurchase Program During the first nine months of 2015 , we repurchased 17.4 million shares of our common stock in the open market for $1.1 billion as part of our share repurchase program. During the first nine months of 2014 , we repurchased 11.1 million shares of our common stock in the open market for $690 million as part of our share repurchase program. In August 2015, our board of directors authorized the purchase of an additional 40 million shares of our common stock. As of September 30, 2015 , a remaining balance of 52.1 million shares of our common stock was available for purchase under share repurchase authorizations by our board of directors. Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income The tables below are reconciliations of accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the following periods. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Total Balance, beginning of period $ (2,725 ) $ 3,384 $ (27 ) $ (125 ) $ 507 Other comprehensive 192 (260 ) (1 ) 0 (69 ) Amounts reclassified from 0 90 0 0 90 Net current-period other 192 (170 ) (1 ) 0 21 Balance, end of period $ (2,533 ) $ 3,214 $ (28 ) $ (125 ) $ 528 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. Three Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Liability Adjustment Total Balance, beginning of period $ (1,216 ) $ 2,915 $ (11 ) $ (82 ) $ 1,606 Other comprehensive (589 ) 505 (6 ) 1 (89 ) Amounts reclassified from 0 (18 ) 0 1 (17 ) Net current-period other (589 ) 487 (6 ) 2 (106 ) Balance, end of period $ (1,805 ) $ 3,402 $ (17 ) $ (80 ) $ 1,500 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. Nine Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Liability Adjustment Total Balance, beginning of period $ (2,541 ) $ 4,672 $ (26 ) $ (126 ) $ 1,979 Other comprehensive 8 (1,471 ) (2 ) 0 (1,465 ) Amounts reclassified from 0 13 0 1 14 Net current-period other 8 (1,458 ) (2 ) 1 (1,451 ) Balance, end of period $ (2,533 ) $ 3,214 $ (28 ) $ (125 ) $ 528 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. Nine Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Liability Adjustment Total Balance, beginning of period $ (1,505 ) $ 1,035 $ (12 ) $ (81 ) $ (563 ) Other comprehensive (300 ) 2,379 (5 ) 2 2,076 Amounts reclassified from 0 (12 ) 0 (1 ) (13 ) Net current-period other (300 ) 2,367 (5 ) 1 2,063 Balance, end of period $ (1,805 ) $ 3,402 $ (17 ) $ (80 ) $ 1,500 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. The tables below summarize the amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on source for the following periods. Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (In millions) Three Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ (1 ) Sales and redemptions (137 ) Other-than-temporary impairment (138 ) Total before tax 48 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (90 ) Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (4 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 4 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) 0 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 0 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ (90 ) Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details). (In millions) Three Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ 27 Sales and redemptions 0 Other-than-temporary impairment 27 Total before tax (9 ) Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 18 Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (5 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 4 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) 0 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (1 ) Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ 17 Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details). (In millions) Nine Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ 123 Sales and redemptions (143 ) Other-than-temporary impairment (20 ) Total before tax 7 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (13 ) Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (13 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 12 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) 0 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (1 ) Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ (14 ) Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details). (In millions) Nine Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ 21 Sales and redemptions (3 ) Other-than-temporary impairment 18 Total before tax (6 ) Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 12 Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (11 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 13 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) (1 ) Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 1 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ 13 Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details).

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had outstanding share-based awards under two long-term incentive compensation plans. The first plan, which expired in February 2007, is a stock option plan which allowed grants for incentive stock options (ISOs) to employees and non-qualifying stock options (NQSOs) to employees and non-employee directors. The options have a term of 10 years. The exercise price of options granted under this plan is equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. Options granted before the plan's expiration date remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. The second long-term incentive compensation plan allows awards to Company employees for ISOs, NQSOs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights. Non-employee directors are eligible for grants of NQSOs, restricted stock, and stock appreciation rights. The ISOs and NQSOs have a term of 10 years, and the share-based awards generally vest based upon time-based conditions or time- and performance-based conditions. Time-based vesting generally occurs after three years . Performance-based vesting conditions generally include the attainment of goals related to Company financial performance. As of September 30, 2015 , approximately 10.0 million shares were available for future grants under this plan, and the only performance-based awards issued and outstanding were restricted stock awards. Share-based awards granted to U.S.-based grantees are settled with authorized but unissued Company stock, while those issued to Japan-based grantees are settled with treasury shares. The following table provides information on stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2015 . Stock Weighted-Average Aggregate Weighted-Average Outstanding 8,303 4.6 $ 71 $ 50.82 Exercisable 6,374 3.5 67 48.35 We received cash from the exercise of stock options in the amount of $53 million during the first nine months of 2015 , compared with $30 million in the first nine months of 2014 . The tax benefit realized as a result of stock option exercises and restricted stock releases was $24 million in the first nine months of 2015 , compared with $14 million in the first nine months of 2014 . As of September 30, 2015 , total compensation cost not yet recognized in our financial statements related to restricted stock awards was $50 million , of which $20 million ( 831 thousand shares) was related to restricted stock awards with a performance-based vesting condition. We expect to recognize these amounts over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.3 years. There are no other contractual terms covering restricted stock awards once vested. For additional information on our long-term share-based compensation plans and the types of share-based awards, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

BENEFIT PLANS

BENEFIT PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]
BENEFIT PLANS	BENEFIT PLANS We have funded defined benefit plans in Japan and the United States, which cover substantially all of our full-time employees. Additionally, we maintain non-qualified, unfunded supplemental retirement plans that provide defined pension benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law for certain Japanese, U.S. and former employees. Effective October 1, 2013, the U.S. tax-qualified defined benefit plan was frozen to new employees hired on or after October 1, 2013 and to employees rehired on or after October 1, 2013. U.S. employees who are not participants in the defined benefit plan receive a nonelective 401(k) employer contribution. Additionally, effective January 1, 2015, the U.S. non-qualified supplemental retirement plan was frozen to new participants. We provide certain health care benefits for eligible U.S. retired employees, their beneficiaries and covered dependents ("other postretirement benefits"). The health care plan is contributory and unfunded. On October 1, 2013, a change was made to postretirement medical benefits to limit the eligibility for the benefits beginning January 1, 2014 to include the following: (1) active employees whose age plus service, in years, equals or exceeds 80 (rule of 80 ); (2) active employees who are age 55 or older and have met the 15 years of service requirement; (3) active employees who will meet the rule of 80 in the next five years ; (4) active employees who are age 55 or older and who will meet the 15 years of service requirement within the next five years ; and (5) current retirees. Effective October 1, 2013, this change was accounted for as a negative plan amendment and resulted in a reduction to the postretirement benefit obligation of approximately $51 million , with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Starting in the fourth quarter of 2013, this reduction is being amortized as a reduction to net periodic benefit cost over three years . The postretirement plan obligation was remeasured using a discount rate of 4.75% as of October 1, 2013. For certain employees and former employees, additional coverage is provided for all medical expenses for life. Pension and other postretirement benefit expenses, included in acquisition and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings, included the following components: Three Months Ended September 30, Pension Benefits Other Japan U.S. Postretirement Benefits (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Components of net periodic Service cost $ 4 $ 3 $ 5 $ 5 $ 1 $ 0 Interest cost 1 1 7 (4 ) 0 0 Expected return on plan (1 ) (1 ) (5 ) (5 ) 0 0 Amortization of net actuarial 0 1 4 3 0 1 Amortization of prior service 0 0 0 0 (4 ) (4 ) Net periodic (benefit) cost $ 4 $ 4 $ 11 $ (1 ) $ (3 ) $ (3 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, Pension Benefits Other Japan U.S. Postretirement Benefits (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Components of net periodic Service cost $ 11 $ 11 $ 17 $ 15 $ 1 $ 1 Interest cost 4 5 23 11 1 1 Expected return on plan (3 ) (3 ) (16 ) (15 ) 0 0 Amortization of net actuarial 1 1 11 8 1 2 Amortization of prior service 0 0 0 0 (12 ) (13 ) Net periodic (benefit) cost $ 13 $ 14 $ 35 $ 19 $ (9 ) $ (9 ) During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , Aflac Japan contributed approximately $15 million (using the weighted-average yen/dollar exchange rate for the nine -month period ending September 30, 2015 ) to the Japanese funded defined benefit plan, and Aflac U.S. contributed $10 million to the U.S. funded defined benefit plan. For additional information regarding our Japanese and U.S. benefit plans, see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Effective for 2015 , we entered into an outsourcing agreement with a technology and consulting corporation to provide mainframe computer operations, distributed mid-range server computer operations, and related support for Aflac Japan. As of September 30, 2015 , the agreement has a remaining term of 5.3 years and an aggregate remaining cost of 37.9 billion yen ( $316 million using the September 30, 2015 , exchange rate). We are a defendant in various lawsuits considered to be in the normal course of business. Members of our senior legal and financial management teams review litigation on a quarterly and annual basis. The final results of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. Although some of this litigation is pending in states where large punitive damages, bearing little relation to the actual damages sustained by plaintiffs, have been awarded in recent years, we believe the outcome of pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN19

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) primarily sell supplemental health and life insurance in the United States and Japan. The Company's insurance business is marketed and administered through American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), which operates in the United States (Aflac U.S.) and as a branch in Japan (Aflac Japan). American Family Life Assurance Company of New York (Aflac New York) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac. Most of Aflac's policies are individually underwritten and marketed through independent agents. Additionally, Aflac U.S. markets and administers group products through Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC), branded as Aflac Group Insurance. Our insurance operations in the United States and our branch in Japan service the two markets for our insurance business. Aflac Japan's revenues, including realized gains and losses on its investment portfolio, accounted for 70% and 74% of the Company's total revenues in the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. The percentage of the Company's total assets attributable to Aflac Japan was 83% at September 30, 2015 , compared with 82% at December 31, 2014 . Basis of Presentation We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). In these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, references to U.S. GAAP issued by the FASB are derived from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (ASC). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates when recording transactions resulting from business operations based on currently available information. The most significant items on our balance sheet that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to changes in the future are the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition costs, liabilities for future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims, and income taxes. These accounting estimates and actuarial determinations are sensitive to market conditions, investment yields, mortality, morbidity, commission and other acquisition expenses, and terminations by policyholders. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates will be revised and reflected in operating results. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, we believe the amounts provided are adequate. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent Company, its subsidiaries and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income (loss) for the three- and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , and the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity and cash flows for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 .
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items - Simplifying income statement presentation by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items: In January 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Although the amendments will eliminate the requirements for reporting entities to consider whether an underlying event or transaction is extraordinary, the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. The amendments in this updated guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Transfers and Servicing, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures: In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance for repurchase agreement and security lending transactions to change the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to be accounted for as secured borrowings, consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. The amendments also require new disclosures to increase transparency about the types of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. We adopted accounting changes for the new guidance as of January 1, 2015, and adopted the required disclosures as of April 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Description of Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption	Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption Financial Services - Insurance - Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts: In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance requiring enhanced disclosures by all insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts. The amendments require insurance entities to disclose for annual reporting periods information about the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. The amendments also require insurance entities to disclose information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, including reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. In addition, the amendments require insurance entities to disclose for annual and interim reporting periods a roll-forward of the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. For health insurance claims, the amendments require the disclosure of the total of incurred-but-not-reported liabilities and expected development on reported claims included in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. The amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application of the amendments is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations; however, we are evaluating whether the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our disclosures. Fair Value Measurement - Disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent): In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments also remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented whereby an investment for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient be removed from the fair value hierarchy in all periods presented in an entity’s financial statements. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Interest - Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs: In April 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs. The updated guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this amendment. In August 2015, the FASB issued updated SEC Staff guidance pertaining to the presentation of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. The guidance states that an entity may defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset, subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement , regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The amendment is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Consolidation - Amendments to the consolidation analysis: In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that affects evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities (limited liability corporations and securitization structures, etc.) are variable interest entities (VIEs), evaluation of whether fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider are a variable interest, and evaluation of the effect of fee arrangements and the effect of related parties on the determination of the primary beneficiary under the VIE model for consolidation. The updated guidance eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. Limited partnership and similar legal entities that provide partners with either substantive kick-out rights or substantive participating rights (representing the partners’ controlling financial interest in the entity) over the general partner will now be evaluated under the voting interest model rather than the VIE model for consolidation. In regard to the fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider, the updated guidance eliminates three of the six criteria that an entity’s decision makers or service providers must meet for them to conclude that the fees do not represent a variable interest in that entity and, thus, should be excluded from the assessment for determining the primary beneficiary. Finally, in situations where no single party has a controlling financial interest in a VIE, the related party relationships under common control should be considered in their entirety in determining whether that common control group has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. However, if substantially all of the activities of the VIE are conducted on behalf of a single variable interest holder (excluding the decision maker) in a related party group that has the characteristics of a primary beneficiary, that single variable interest holder must consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary. The amendments in the updated guidance are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are evaluating whether the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or disclosures. Derivatives and Hedging - Determining whether the host contract in a hybrid financial instrument issued in the form of a share is more akin to debt or equity: In November 2014, the FASB issued guidance to clarify how to evaluate the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. The guidance also clarifies that an entity should assess the substance of the relevant terms and features when considering how to weight those terms and features. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern - Disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern: In August 2014, the FASB issued this amendment that provides U.S. GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Compensation - Stock Compensation - Accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period: In June 2014, the FASB issued this amendment that provides guidance on certain share-based payment awards that require a specific performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations. Revenue from contracts with customers: In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance that affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for this standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (T

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues: Aflac Japan: Net earned premiums $ 2,980 $ 3,534 $ 9,036 $ 10,672 Net investment income 606 676 1,824 2,019 Other income 8 9 23 25 Total Aflac Japan 3,594 4,219 10,883 12,716 Aflac U.S.: Net earned premiums 1,345 1,306 4,016 3,910 Net investment income 173 162 507 484 Other income 2 0 6 2 Total Aflac U.S. 1,520 1,468 4,529 4,396 Other business segments 67 11 159 29 Total business segment revenues 5,181 5,698 15,571 17,141 Realized investment gains (losses) (1) (136 ) 6 (36 ) 42 Corporate 73 43 242 194 Intercompany eliminations (51 ) (38 ) (185 ) (170 ) Other non-operating income (loss) (27 ) (2) 27 (39 ) (2) 7 Total revenues $ 5,040 $ 5,736 $ 15,553 $ 17,214 (1) Excluding a gain of $22 and $10 for the three -month periods and $62 and $30 for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, related to the interest rate component of the change in fair value of foreign currency swaps on notes payable which is classified as an operating gain when analyzing segment operations (2) Includes a loss of $14 for the three - and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , related to the change in value of yen repatriation received in advance of settlement of certain foreign currency derivatives. This loss was offset by derivative gains included in realized investment gains (losses).
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Pretax earnings: Aflac Japan $ 789 $ 828 $ 2,365 $ 2,688 Aflac U.S. 286 269 864 872 Other business segments 5 0 10 0 Total business segment pretax operating earnings 1,080 1,097 3,239 3,560 Interest expense, noninsurance operations (30 ) (49 ) (117 ) (150 ) Corporate and eliminations (23 ) (7 ) (64 ) (43 ) Pretax operating earnings 1,027 1,041 3,058 3,367 Realized investment gains (losses) (1) (136 ) 6 (36 ) 42 Other non-operating income (loss) (27 ) (2) 27 (270 ) (2),(3) 7 Total earnings before income taxes $ 864 $ 1,074 $ 2,752 $ 3,416 Income taxes applicable to pretax operating earnings $ 355 $ 356 $ 1,057 $ 1,151 Effect of foreign currency translation on operating earnings (58 ) (19 ) (175 ) (80 ) (1) Excluding a gain of $22 and $10 for the three -month periods and $62 and $30 for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, related to the interest rate component of the change in fair value of foreign currency swaps on notes payable which is classified as an operating gain when analyzing segment operations (2) Includes a loss of $14 for the three - and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 , related to the change in value of yen repatriation received in advance of settlement of certain foreign currency derivatives. This loss was offset by derivative gains included in realized investment gains (losses). ( 3) Includes a cash outflow of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	Assets were as follows: (In millions) September 30, December 31, Assets: Aflac Japan $ 97,158 $ 98,525 Aflac U.S. 18,687 18,383 Other business segments 176 128 Total business segment assets 116,021 117,036 Corporate 22,676 24,636 Intercompany eliminations (21,242 ) (21,905 ) Total assets $ 117,455 $ 119,767

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Available-for-sale Securities	December 31, 2014 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 17,341 $ 1,740 $ 0 $ 19,081 Municipalities 88 9 0 97 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 351 35 0 386 Public utilities 1,691 226 5 1,912 Sovereign and supranational 799 163 0 962 Banks/financial institutions 2,752 325 189 2,888 Other corporate 3,479 531 48 3,962 Total yen-denominated 26,501 3,029 242 29,288 Dollar-denominated: U.S. government and agencies 100 17 0 117 Municipalities 961 201 2 1,160 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 185 31 0 216 Public utilities 5,061 960 36 5,985 Sovereign and supranational 343 111 0 454 Banks/financial institutions 2,943 775 8 3,710 Other corporate 22,291 2,682 330 24,643 Total dollar-denominated 31,884 4,777 376 36,285 Total fixed maturities 58,385 7,806 618 65,573 Perpetual securities: Yen-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 2,132 223 92 2,263 Other corporate 183 48 0 231 Dollar-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 125 50 0 175 Total perpetual securities 2,440 321 92 2,669 Equity securities 19 9 0 28 Total securities available for sale $ 60,844 $ 8,136 $ 710 $ 68,270 The amortized cost for our investments in debt and perpetual securities, the cost for equity securities and the fair values of these investments are shown in the following tables. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 16,799 $ 1,544 $ 1 $ 18,342 Municipalities 88 6 0 94 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 330 31 0 361 Public utilities 1,613 202 17 1,798 Sovereign and supranational 795 185 0 980 Banks/financial institutions 2,463 271 118 2,616 Other corporate 3,354 399 32 3,721 Total yen-denominated 25,442 2,638 168 27,912 Dollar-denominated: U.S. government and agencies 111 12 0 123 Municipalities 927 154 9 1,072 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 201 29 0 230 Public utilities 5,437 742 129 6,050 Sovereign and supranational 332 109 0 441 Banks/financial institutions 2,952 707 14 3,645 Other corporate 24,612 2,016 995 25,633 Total dollar-denominated 34,572 3,769 1,147 37,194 Total fixed maturities 60,014 6,407 1,315 65,106 Perpetual securities: Yen-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 1,798 149 140 1,807 Other corporate 184 18 0 202 Dollar-denominated: Banks/financial institutions 107 51 1 157 Total perpetual securities 2,089 218 141 2,166 Equity securities 119 12 0 131 Total securities available for sale $ 62,222 $ 6,637 $ 1,456 $ 67,403
Held-to-maturity Securities	September 30, 2015 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 20,115 $ 2,876 $ 0 $ 22,991 Municipalities 345 64 0 409 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 38 2 0 40 Public utilities 3,108 151 131 3,128 Sovereign and supranational 2,569 164 47 2,686 Banks/financial institutions 4,539 141 136 4,544 Other corporate 3,015 191 56 3,150 Total yen-denominated 33,729 3,589 370 36,948 Total securities held to maturity $ 33,729 $ 3,589 $ 370 $ 36,948 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Cost or Gross Gross Fair Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Yen-denominated: Japan government and agencies $ 20,023 $ 3,195 $ 0 $ 23,218 Municipalities 346 71 0 417 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 43 3 0 46 Public utilities 3,342 281 20 3,603 Sovereign and supranational 2,556 272 14 2,814 Banks/financial institutions 4,932 231 78 5,085 Other corporate 3,000 326 12 3,314 Total yen-denominated 34,242 4,379 124 38,497 Total securities held to maturity $ 34,242 $ 4,379 $ 124 $ 38,497
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The contractual maturities of our investments in fixed maturities at September 30, 2015 , were as follows: Aflac Japan Aflac U.S. (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Available for sale: Due in one year or less $ 246 $ 262 $ 85 $ 86 Due after one year through five years 2,340 2,722 641 717 Due after five years through 10 years 11,299 11,576 2,033 2,140 Due after 10 years 33,384 36,760 9,069 9,851 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 381 432 36 45 Total fixed maturities available for sale $ 47,650 $ 51,752 $ 11,864 $ 12,839 Held to maturity: Due in one year or less $ 318 $ 324 $ 0 $ 0 Due after one year through five years 1,593 1,675 0 0 Due after five years through 10 years 1,730 1,825 0 0 Due after 10 years 30,050 33,084 0 0 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 38 40 0 0 Total fixed maturities held to maturity $ 33,729 $ 36,948 $ 0 $ 0
Economic Maturities of Investments in Perpetual Securities	The economic maturities of our investments in perpetual securities, which were all reported as available for sale at September 30, 2015 , were as follows: Aflac Japan Aflac U.S. (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 261 $ 254 $ 0 $ 0 Due after one year through five years 449 453 0 0 Due after 10 years 1,340 1,401 39 58 Total perpetual securities available for sale $ 2,050 $ 2,108 $ 39 $ 58
Bank and Financial Institution Investments	Our total investments in the bank and financial institution sector, including those classified as perpetual securities, were as follows: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Total Investments in Percentage of Total Investments in Percentage of Fixed maturities: Amortized cost $ 9,954 10 % $ 10,627 11 % Fair value 10,805 10 11,683 11 Perpetual securities: Upper Tier II: Amortized cost $ 1,337 1 % $ 1,554 2 % Fair value 1,369 1 1,645 1 Tier I: Amortized cost 568 1 703 1 Fair value 595 1 793 1 Total: Amortized cost $ 11,859 12 % $ 12,884 14 % Fair value 12,769 12 14,121 13
Gain (Loss) on Investments	Information regarding pretax realized gains and losses from investments is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Realized investment gains (losses) on securities: Fixed maturities: Available for sale: Gross gains from sales $ 20 $ 17 $ 124 $ 144 Gross losses from sales (6 ) 0 (6 ) (1 ) Net gains (losses) from redemptions 12 16 38 27 Other-than-temporary impairment losses (136 ) 0 (142 ) (31 ) Held to maturity: Net gains (losses) from redemptions 0 0 0 1 Total fixed maturities (110 ) 33 14 140 Perpetual securities: Available for sale: Net gains (losses) from redemptions 0 0 30 0 Total perpetual securities 0 0 30 0 Equity securities: Other-than-temporary impairment losses (1 ) 0 (1 ) 0 Total equity securities (1 ) 0 (1 ) 0 Derivatives and other: Derivative gains (losses) (3 ) (17 ) (17 ) (67 ) Other 0 0 0 (1 ) Total derivatives and other (3 ) (17 ) (17 ) (68 ) Total realized investment gains (losses) $ (114 ) $ 16 $ 26 $ 72
Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses on Investment Securities	The following table details our pretax other-than-temporary impairment losses by investment category that resulted from our impairment evaluation process. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Corporate bonds $ 5 $ 0 $ 7 $ 31 Bank/financial institution bonds 131 0 135 0 Equity securities 1 0 1 0 Total other-than-temporary impairment losses realized (1) $ 137 $ 0 $ 143 $ 31 (1) Includes $6 and $0 for the three -month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairments
Net Effect on Shareholders' Equity of Unrealized Gains and Losses from Investment Securities	The net effect on shareholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses from investment securities was as follows: (In millions) September 30, December 31, Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale $ 5,181 $ 7,426 Deferred income taxes (1,967 ) (2,754 ) Shareholders’ equity, unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities $ 3,214 $ 4,672
Investments Gross Unrealized Loss Aging	The following tables show the fair values and gross unrealized losses of our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investments that were in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. September 30, 2015 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer (In millions) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed Maturities: Japan government and Yen-denominated $ 92 $ 1 $ 92 $ 1 $ 0 $ 0 Municipalities: Dollar-denominated 44 9 44 9 0 0 Public utilities: Dollar-denominated 1,955 129 1,499 79 456 50 Yen-denominated 1,451 148 1,039 102 412 46 Sovereign and supranational: Yen-denominated 728 47 535 32 193 15 Banks/financial institutions: Dollar-denominated 307 14 304 14 3 0 Yen-denominated 2,809 254 1,762 72 1,047 182 Other corporate: Dollar-denominated 12,285 995 9,940 597 2,345 398 Yen-denominated 1,237 88 437 5 800 83 Total fixed maturities 20,908 1,685 15,652 911 5,256 774 Perpetual securities: Dollar-denominated 6 1 0 0 6 1 Yen-denominated 739 140 215 27 524 113 Total perpetual securities 745 141 215 27 530 114 Total $ 21,653 $ 1,826 $ 15,867 $ 938 $ 5,786 $ 888 December 31, 2014 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer (In millions) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed Maturities: Municipalities: Dollar-denominated $ 75 $ 2 $ 53 $ 1 $ 22 $ 1 Public utilities: Dollar-denominated 1,001 36 164 7 837 29 Yen-denominated 805 25 98 1 707 24 Sovereign and supranational: Yen-denominated 359 14 0 0 359 14 Banks/financial institutions: Dollar-denominated 205 8 53 5 152 3 Yen-denominated 1,828 267 166 0 1,662 267 Other corporate: Dollar-denominated 8,072 330 1,901 62 6,171 268 Yen-denominated 1,151 60 122 2 1,029 58 Total fixed maturities 13,496 742 2,557 78 10,939 664 Perpetual securities: Yen-denominated 783 92 194 5 589 87 Total perpetual securities 783 92 194 5 589 87 Total $ 14,279 $ 834 $ 2,751 $ 83 $ 11,528 $ 751
Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	The following table provides more information on our unrealized loss positions. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position Gross Gross Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position Gross Gross Fixed Maturities: Public utilities 16 % 15 % 95 % 13 % 7 % 100 % Sovereign and 3 3 100 3 2 100 Banks/financial 14 15 60 14 33 31 Other corporate 63 59 86 65 47 88 Total fixed 96 % 92 % 95 % 89 % Perpetual securities 4 8 100 5 11 100 Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings	Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings September 30, 2015 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements (In millions) Overnight (1) Up to 30 Total Securities lending transactions: Japan government and agencies $ 145 $ 309 $ 454 Public utilities 119 0 119 Sovereign and supranational 3 0 3 Banks/financial institutions 13 0 13 Other corporate 318 0 318 Total borrowings $ 598 $ 309 $ 907 Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions $ 907 Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4 $ 0 (1) These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous. Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings December 31, 2014 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements (In millions) Overnight (1) Up to 30 Total Securities lending transactions: Japan government and agencies $ 0 $ 1,720 $ 1,720 Public utilities 80 0 80 Sovereign and supranational 1 0 1 Banks/financial institutions 64 0 64 Other corporate 328 0 328 Total borrowings $ 473 $ 1,720 $ 2,193 Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions $ 2,193 Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4 $ 0 (1) These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous.
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated
Investments in Variable Interest Entities	The following table presents the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs are reported. Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Assets: Fixed maturities, available for sale $ 3,651 $ 4,541 $ 3,020 $ 4,166 Perpetual securities, available for sale 287 269 405 429 Fixed maturities, held to maturity 83 80 83 84 Other assets 106 106 106 106 Total assets of consolidated VIEs $ 4,127 $ 4,996 $ 3,614 $ 4,785 Liabilities: Other liabilities $ 343 $ 343 $ 318 $ 318 Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs $ 343 $ 343 $ 318 $ 318
Variable Interest Entity, Not Consolidated
Investments in Variable Interest Entities	VIEs-Not Consolidated The table below reflects the amortized cost, fair value and balance sheet caption in which our investment in VIEs not consolidated are reported. Investments in Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Assets: Fixed maturities, available for sale $ 5,792 $ 6,367 $ 6,104 $ 6,937 Perpetual securities, available for sale 250 243 324 330 Fixed maturities, held to maturity 2,491 2,578 2,564 2,829 Total investments in VIEs not consolidated $ 8,533 $ 9,188 $ 8,992 $ 10,096
Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	Details of our holdings of perpetual securities were as follows: Perpetual Securities September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Credit Amortized Fair Unrealized Amortized Fair Unrealized Upper Tier II: A $ 61 $ 87 $ 26 $ 61 $ 87 $ 26 BBB 1,112 1,056 (56 ) 1,330 1,333 3 BB or lower 164 226 62 163 225 62 Total Upper Tier II 1,337 1,369 32 1,554 1,645 91 Tier I: BBB 522 524 2 519 556 37 BB or lower 46 71 25 184 237 53 Total Tier I 568 595 27 703 793 90 Other subordinated BB or lower 184 202 18 183 231 48 Total $ 2,089 $ 2,166 $ 77 $ 2,440 $ 2,669 $ 229

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value and Notional Amount of Derivatives with Counterparty Credit Risk	The counterparties to these derivatives are financial institutions with the following credit ratings: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Notional Amount Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Notional Amount Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Counterparties' credit rating: AA $ 2,277 $ 175 $ (41 ) $ 1,098 $ 39 $ (36 ) A 21,079 702 (343 ) 22,564 763 (2,387 ) Total $ 23,356 $ 877 $ (384 ) $ 23,662 $ 802 $ (2,423 )
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The tables below summarize the balance sheet classification of our derivative fair value amounts, as well as the gross asset and liability fair value amounts. The fair value amounts presented do not include income accruals. The notional amount of derivative contracts represents the basis upon which pay or receive amounts are calculated. Notional amounts are not reflective of credit risk. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Net Derivatives Asset Liability Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type Notional Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Cash flow hedges: Foreign currency swaps $ 75 $ (18 ) $ 0 $ (18 ) Total cash flow hedges 75 (18 ) 0 (18 ) Fair value hedges: Foreign currency forwards 12,714 239 248 (9 ) Foreign currency options 1,250 0 1 (1 ) Total fair value hedges 13,964 239 249 (10 ) Net investment hedge: Foreign currency forwards 1,455 5 19 (14 ) Foreign currency options 168 (3 ) 4 (7 ) Total net investment hedge 1,623 2 23 (21 ) Non-qualifying strategies: Foreign currency swaps 6,604 270 604 (334 ) Foreign currency forwards 1,007 0 1 (1 ) Credit default swaps 83 0 0 0 Total non-qualifying strategies 7,694 270 605 (335 ) Total derivatives $ 23,356 $ 493 $ 877 $ (384 ) Balance Sheet Location Other assets $ 16,776 $ 877 $ 877 $ 0 Other liabilities 6,580 (384 ) 0 (384 ) Total derivatives $ 23,356 $ 493 $ 877 $ (384 ) December 31, 2014 (In millions) Net Derivatives Asset Liability Hedge Designation/ Derivative Type Notional Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Cash flow hedges: Foreign currency swaps $ 75 $ (15 ) $ 0 $ (15 ) Total cash flow hedges 75 (15 ) 0 (15 ) Fair value hedges: Foreign currency forwards 12,388 (1,791 ) 0 (1,791 ) Foreign currency options 697 (32 ) 0 (32 ) Interest rate swaptions 2,502 (159 ) 0 (159 ) Total fair value hedges 15,587 (1,982 ) 0 (1,982 ) Net investment hedge: Foreign currency forwards 1,307 54 56 (2 ) Total net investment hedge 1,307 54 56 (2 ) Non-qualifying strategies: Foreign currency swaps 5,765 443 746 (303 ) Foreign currency forwards 784 (119 ) 0 (119 ) Foreign currency options 53 (1 ) 0 (1 ) Credit default swaps 83 0 0 0 Interest rate swaptions 8 (1 ) 0 (1 ) Total non-qualifying strategies 6,693 322 746 (424 ) Total derivatives $ 23,662 $ (1,621 ) $ 802 $ (2,423 ) Balance Sheet Location Other assets $ 6,531 $ 802 $ 802 $ 0 Other liabilities 17,131 (2,423 ) 0 (2,423 ) Total derivatives $ 23,662 $ (1,621 ) $ 802 $ (2,423 )
Schedule of Fair Value Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following table presents the gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges. Fair Value Hedging Relationships (In millions) Hedging Derivatives Hedged Items Hedging Derivatives Hedged Items Total Gains (Losses) Gains (Losses) Gains (Losses) Ineffectiveness Three Months Ended September 30, 2015: Foreign currency Fixed-maturity securities $ 247 $ (28 ) $ 275 $ (267 ) $ 8 Foreign currency Fixed-maturity securities (1 ) (1 ) 0 0 0 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015: Foreign currency forwards Fixed-maturity securities $ 17 $ (60 ) $ 77 $ (62 ) $ 15 Foreign currency options Fixed-maturity securities (4 ) 3 (7 ) 7 0 Interest rate Fixed-maturity securities (95 ) 19 (114 ) 99 (15 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2014: Foreign currency Fixed-maturity securities $ (1,094 ) $ (1 ) $ (1,093 ) $ 1,097 $ 4 Foreign currency options Fixed-maturity securities (9 ) (9 ) 0 0 0 Interest rate Fixed-maturity securities (34 ) 2 (36 ) 37 1 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014: Foreign currency forwards Fixed-maturity securities $ (631 ) $ (36 ) $ (595 ) $ 624 $ 29 Foreign currency options Fixed-maturity securities (8 ) (8 ) 0 0 0 Interest rate Fixed-maturity securities (160 ) (20 ) (140 ) 150 10
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	Impact of Derivatives and Hedging Instruments The following table summarizes the impact to realized investment gains (losses) and other comprehensive income (loss) from all derivatives and hedging instruments. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (In millions) Realized Investment Other (1) Realized Investment Other (1) Realized Investment Other (1) Realized Investment Other (1) Qualifying hedges: Cash flow Foreign $ 0 $ (1 ) $ (1 ) $ (9 ) $ 0 $ (3 ) $ (2 ) $ (8 ) Total cash flow 0 (1 ) (1 ) (9 ) 0 (3 ) (2 ) (8 ) Fair value Foreign (2) (20 ) 0 3 0 (45 ) 0 (7 ) 0 Foreign (2) (1 ) 0 (9 ) 0 3 0 (8 ) 0 Interest rate (2) 0 0 3 0 4 0 (10 ) 0 Total fair value (21 ) 0 (3 ) 0 (38 ) 0 (25 ) 0 Net investment Non- 0 (4 ) 0 32 0 1 0 4 Foreign 0 (35 ) 0 11 0 (1 ) 0 (2 ) Foreign 0 (3 ) 0 0 0 (3 ) 0 (3 ) Total net 0 (42 ) 0 43 0 (3 ) 0 (1 ) Non-qualifying Foreign 2 0 44 0 0 0 48 0 Foreign 17 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 Credit (1 ) 0 (1 ) 0 0 0 2 0 Interest rate 0 0 (2 ) 0 5 0 (1 ) 0 Futures 0 0 (54 ) 0 0 0 (89 ) 0 Total non- 18 0 (13 ) 0 21 0 (40 ) 0 Total $ (3 ) $ (43 ) $ (17 ) $ 34 $ (17 ) $ (6 ) $ (67 ) $ (9 ) (1) Cash flow hedge items are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and net investment hedge items are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). (2) Impact shown net of effect of hedged items (see Fair Value Hedges section of this Note 4 for further detail)
Offsetting Assets	The tables below summarize our derivatives and securities lending transactions, and as reflected in the tables, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, our policy is to not offset these financial instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets September 30, 2015 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Assets Gross Amount Net Amount of Assets Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Received Net Amount Derivative assets: Foreign currency swaps $ 604 $ 0 $ 604 $ 0 $ (331 ) $ 273 Foreign currency forwards 268 0 268 0 (290 ) (22 ) Foreign currency options 5 0 5 0 (1 ) 4 Total derivative assets, 877 0 877 0 (622 ) (1) 255 Securities lending and 885 0 885 0 (885 ) 0 Total $ 1,762 $ 0 $ 1,762 $ 0 $ (1,507 ) $ 255 (1) Consists of $272 of pledged securities and $350 of cash. December 31, 2014 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Assets Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet Net Amount of Assets Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Received Net Amount Derivative assets: Foreign currency swaps $ 746 $ 0 $ 746 $ 0 $ (568 ) $ 178 Foreign currency forwards 56 0 56 0 (51 ) 5 Total derivative assets, 802 0 802 0 (619 ) (1) 183 Securities lending and 2,149 0 2,149 0 (2,149 ) 0 Total $ 2,951 $ 0 $ 2,951 $ 0 $ (2,768 ) $ 183 (1) Consists of $153 of pledged securities and $466 of cash.
Offsetting Liabilities	Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities September 30, 2015 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet Net Amount of Liabilities Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Pledged Net Amount Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ (352 ) $ 0 $ (352 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ (352 ) Foreign currency forwards (24 ) 0 (24 ) 0 5 (19 ) Foreign currency options (8 ) 0 (8 ) 0 2 (6 ) Total derivative liabilities, (384 ) 0 (384 ) 0 7 (1) (377 ) Securities lending and (907 ) 0 (907 ) 885 0 (22 ) Total $ (1,291 ) $ 0 $ (1,291 ) $ 885 $ 7 $ (399 ) (1) Consists entirely of cash. December 31, 2014 Gross Amounts Not Offset (In millions) Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amount Offset in Balance Sheet Net Amount of Liabilities Presented in Balance Sheet Carrying Value of Financial Instruments Collateral Pledged Net Amount Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ (318 ) $ 0 $ (318 ) $ 0 $ 0 $ (318 ) Foreign currency forwards (1,912 ) 0 (1,912 ) 0 1,439 (473 ) Foreign currency options (33 ) 0 (33 ) 0 24 (9 ) Interest rate swaptions (160 ) 0 (160 ) 0 158 (2 ) Total derivative liabilities, (2,423 ) 0 (2,423 ) 0 1,621 (1) (802 ) Securities lending and (2,193 ) 0 (2,193 ) 2,149 0 (44 ) Total $ (4,616 ) $ 0 $ (4,616 ) $ 2,149 $ 1,621 $ (846 ) (1) Consists entirely of pledged securities.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Hierarchy, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables present the fair value hierarchy levels of the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 17,920 $ 545 $ 0 $ 18,465 Municipalities 0 1,166 0 1,166 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 371 220 591 Public utilities 0 7,848 0 7,848 Sovereign and supranational 0 1,421 0 1,421 Banks/financial institutions 0 6,235 26 6,261 Other corporate 0 29,354 0 29,354 Total fixed maturities 17,920 46,940 246 65,106 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions 0 1,964 0 1,964 Other corporate 0 202 0 202 Total perpetual securities 0 2,166 0 2,166 Equity securities 122 6 3 131 Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 0 498 106 604 Foreign currency forwards 0 268 0 268 Foreign currency options 0 5 0 5 Total other assets 0 771 106 877 Other investments 182 0 0 182 Cash and cash equivalents 3,520 0 0 3,520 Total assets $ 21,744 $ 49,883 $ 355 $ 71,982 Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 0 $ 9 $ 343 $ 352 Foreign currency forwards 0 24 0 24 Foreign currency options 0 8 0 8 Total liabilities $ 0 $ 41 $ 343 $ 384 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 18,683 $ 515 $ 0 $ 19,198 Municipalities 0 1,257 0 1,257 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 379 223 602 Public utilities 0 7,897 0 7,897 Sovereign and supranational 0 1,416 0 1,416 Banks/financial institutions 0 6,572 26 6,598 Other corporate 0 28,605 0 28,605 Total fixed maturities 18,683 46,641 249 65,573 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions 0 2,289 149 2,438 Other corporate 0 231 0 231 Total perpetual securities 0 2,520 149 2,669 Equity securities 19 6 3 28 Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 0 640 106 746 Foreign currency forwards 0 56 0 56 Total other assets 0 696 106 802 Other investments 171 0 0 171 Cash and cash equivalents 4,658 0 0 4,658 Total assets $ 23,531 $ 49,863 $ 507 $ 73,901 Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 0 $ 0 $ 318 $ 318 Foreign currency forwards 0 1,912 0 1,912 Foreign currency options 0 33 0 33 Interest rate swaptions 0 160 0 160 Total liabilities $ 0 $ 2,105 $ 318 $ 2,423
Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Assets and Liabilities Carried at Cost or Amortized Cost	The following tables present the carrying amount and fair value categorized by fair value hierarchy level for the Company's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities held to maturity, Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 20,115 $ 22,991 $ 0 $ 0 $ 22,991 Municipalities 345 0 409 0 409 Mortgage and asset-backed 38 0 13 27 40 Public utilities 3,108 0 3,128 0 3,128 Sovereign and 2,569 0 2,686 0 2,686 Banks/financial institutions 4,539 0 4,544 0 4,544 Other corporate 3,015 0 3,150 0 3,150 Other investments 66 0 0 66 66 Total assets $ 33,795 $ 22,991 $ 13,930 $ 93 $ 37,014 Liabilities: Other policyholders’ funds $ 6,284 $ 0 $ 0 $ 6,156 $ 6,156 Notes payable 4,993 0 0 5,277 5,277 Total liabilities $ 11,277 $ 0 $ 0 $ 11,433 $ 11,433 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Carrying Quoted Prices in Significant Significant Total Assets: Securities held to maturity, Fixed maturities: Government and agencies $ 20,023 $ 23,218 $ 0 $ 0 $ 23,218 Municipalities 346 0 417 0 417 Mortgage and asset-backed 43 0 15 31 46 Public utilities 3,342 0 3,603 0 3,603 Sovereign and 2,556 0 2,814 0 2,814 Banks/financial institutions 4,932 0 5,085 0 5,085 Other corporate 3,000 0 3,314 0 3,314 Total assets $ 34,242 $ 23,218 $ 15,248 $ 31 $ 38,497 Liabilities: Other policyholders’ funds $ 6,031 $ 0 $ 0 $ 5,905 $ 5,905 Notes payable 5,268 0 0 5,835 5,835 Total liabilities $ 11,299 $ 0 $ 0 $ 11,740 $ 11,740
Fair Value Assets Available-for-Sale Securities Primary Pricing Sources	The following tables present the pricing sources for the fair values of our fixed maturities, perpetual securities, and equity securities. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 17,920 $ 545 $ 0 $ 18,465 Total government and agencies 17,920 545 0 18,465 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,166 0 1,166 Total municipalities 0 1,166 0 1,166 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 371 0 371 Broker/other 0 0 220 220 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 371 220 591 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 7,848 0 7,848 Total public utilities 0 7,848 0 7,848 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,421 0 1,421 Total sovereign and supranational 0 1,421 0 1,421 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 6,235 0 6,235 Broker/other 0 0 26 26 Total banks/financial institutions 0 6,235 26 6,261 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 29,304 0 29,304 Broker/other 0 50 0 50 Total other corporate 0 29,354 0 29,354 Total fixed maturities 17,920 46,940 246 65,106 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,964 0 1,964 Total banks/financial institutions 0 1,964 0 1,964 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 202 0 202 Total other corporate 0 202 0 202 Total perpetual securities 0 2,166 0 2,166 Equity securities: Third party pricing vendor 122 6 0 128 Broker/other 0 0 3 3 Total equity securities 122 6 3 131 Total securities available for sale $ 18,042 $ 49,112 $ 249 $ 67,403 December 31, 2014 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Observable Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 18,683 $ 515 $ 0 $ 19,198 Total government and agencies 18,683 515 0 19,198 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,257 0 1,257 Total municipalities 0 1,257 0 1,257 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 379 0 379 Broker/other 0 0 223 223 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 379 223 602 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 7,897 0 7,897 Total public utilities 0 7,897 0 7,897 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 1,416 0 1,416 Total sovereign and supranational 0 1,416 0 1,416 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 6,514 0 6,514 Broker/other 0 58 26 84 Total banks/financial institutions 0 6,572 26 6,598 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 28,605 0 28,605 Total other corporate 0 28,605 0 28,605 Total fixed maturities 18,683 46,641 249 65,573 Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 2,289 0 2,289 Broker/other 0 0 149 149 Total banks/financial institutions 0 2,289 149 2,438 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 231 0 231 Total other corporate 0 231 0 231 Total perpetual securities 0 2,520 149 2,669 Equity securities: Third party pricing vendor 19 6 0 25 Broker/other 0 0 3 3 Total equity securities 19 6 3 28 Total securities available for sale $ 18,702 $ 49,167 $ 401 $ 68,270
Fair Value Assets Held-To-Maturity Securities Primary Pricing Sources	December 31, 2014 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets Significant Observable Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 23,218 $ 0 $ 0 $ 23,218 Total government and agencies 23,218 0 0 23,218 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 417 0 417 Total municipalities 0 417 0 417 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 15 0 15 Broker/other 0 0 31 31 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 15 31 46 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,603 0 3,603 Total public utilities 0 3,603 0 3,603 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 2,814 0 2,814 Total sovereign and supranational 0 2,814 0 2,814 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 5,085 0 5,085 Total banks/financial institutions 0 5,085 0 5,085 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,287 0 3,287 Broker/other 0 27 0 27 Total other corporate 0 3,314 0 3,314 Total securities held to maturity $ 23,218 $ 15,248 $ 31 $ 38,497 September 30, 2015 (In millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Total Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost: Fixed maturities: Government and agencies: Third party pricing vendor $ 22,991 $ 0 $ 0 $ 22,991 Total government and agencies 22,991 0 0 22,991 Municipalities: Third party pricing vendor 0 409 0 409 Total municipalities 0 409 0 409 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities: Third party pricing vendor 0 13 0 13 Broker/other 0 0 27 27 Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities 0 13 27 40 Public utilities: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,128 0 3,128 Total public utilities 0 3,128 0 3,128 Sovereign and supranational: Third party pricing vendor 0 2,686 0 2,686 Total sovereign and supranational 0 2,686 0 2,686 Banks/financial institutions: Third party pricing vendor 0 4,544 0 4,544 Total banks/financial institutions 0 4,544 0 4,544 Other corporate: Third party pricing vendor 0 3,123 0 3,123 Broker/other 0 27 0 27 Total other corporate 0 3,150 0 3,150 Total securities held to maturity $ 22,991 $ 13,930 $ 27 $ 36,948
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	Transfers between Hierarchy Levels and Level 3 Rollforward There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 for the three- and nine -month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The following tables present the changes in fair value of our available-for-sale investments and derivatives classified as Level 3. Three Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 214 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (223 ) $ 1 $ 20 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (13 ) (1 ) (14 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1 ) 0 6 Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Settlements 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 220 $ 0 $ 0 $ 26 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (237 ) $ 0 $ 12 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ (14 ) $ (1 ) $ (15 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Three Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 266 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ (1 ) $ 11 $ 0 $ 304 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 (93 ) (1 ) (93 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other (18 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (9 ) 0 (27 ) Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Settlements (3 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (3 ) Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 245 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (91 ) $ (1 ) $ 181 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1 $ (93 ) $ (1 ) $ (93 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Nine Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 223 $ 0 $ 0 $ 26 $ 0 $ 149 $ 3 $ 0 $ (212 ) $ 0 $ 189 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (38 ) 0 (38 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other (1 ) 0 0 0 0 (2 ) 0 0 (3 ) 0 (6 ) Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 (147 ) 0 0 0 0 (147 ) Settlements (2 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 14 Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 220 $ 0 $ 0 $ 26 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (237 ) $ 0 $ 12 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ (39 ) $ 0 $ (39 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net Nine Months Ended Fixed Maturities Perpetual Equity Derivatives (1) (In millions) Mortgage- Public Sovereign Banks/ Other Banks/ Interest Foreign Credit Total Balance, beginning of period $ 369 $ 0 $ 0 $ 23 $ 0 $ 52 $ 3 $ 1 $ (99 ) $ (3 ) $ 346 Realized investment gains (losses) included 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1 ) (79 ) 2 (78 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other (115 ) 0 0 2 0 8 0 0 (8 ) 0 (113 ) Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements: Purchases 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Issuances 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sales 0 0 0 0 0 (60 ) 0 0 0 0 (60 ) Settlements (9 ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 95 0 86 Transfers into Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transfers out of Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Balance, end of period $ 245 $ 0 $ 0 $ 25 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3 $ 0 $ (91 ) $ (1 ) $ 181 Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ (1 ) $ (79 ) $ 2 $ (78 ) (1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information	December 31, 2014 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Mortgage- and asset-backed securities $ 223 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Banks/financial institutions 26 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Perpetual securities: Banks/financial institutions 149 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Equity securities 3 Net asset value Offered quotes $1-$677 ($6) Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 8 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) CDS spreads 16 - 105 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) 98 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) Total assets $ 507 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate (d) N/A represents securities where we receive unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques or unobservable inputs. The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of our Level 3 available-for-sale investments and derivatives. Included in the tables are the inputs or range of possible inputs that have an effect on the overall valuation of the financial instruments. September 30, 2015 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Assets: Securities available for sale, carried at fair value: Fixed maturities: Mortgage- and asset-backed securities $ 220 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Banks/financial institutions 26 Consensus pricing Offered quotes N/A (d) Equity securities 3 Net asset value Offered quotes $1 - $680 ($7) Other assets: Foreign currency swaps 4 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) CDS spreads 15 - 103 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) 102 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) Total assets $ 355 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate (d) N/A represents securities where we receive unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques or unobservable inputs.
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information	September 30, 2015 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 183 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) CDS spreads 15 - 103 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) 142 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) CDS spreads 67 - 251 bps 18 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.00% - 2.52% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .51% - 1.36% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.16% (c) Total liabilities $ 343 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate December 31, 2014 (In millions) Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Unobservable Input Range Liabilities: Foreign currency swaps $ 176 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) CDS spreads 16 - 105 bps Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) 111 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) CDS spreads 13 - 145 bps 31 Discounted cash flow Interest rates (USD) 2.28% - 2.70% (a) Interest rates (JPY) .53% - 1.34% (b) Foreign exchange rates 20.50% (c) Total liabilities $ 318 (a) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (b) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps (c) Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate

REINSURANCE (Tables)

REINSURANCE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Effects of Reinsurance	The following table reconciles direct premium income and direct benefits and claims to net amounts after the effect of reinsurance. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Direct premium income $ 4,464 $ 4,918 $ 13,426 $ 14,820 Ceded to other companies: Ceded Aflac Japan closed blocks (130 ) (70 ) (352 ) (215 ) Other (10 ) (10 ) (28 ) (30 ) Assumed from other companies: Retrocession activities 54 0 124 0 Other 2 3 6 8 Net premium income $ 4,380 $ 4,841 $ 13,176 $ 14,583 Direct benefits and claims $ 3,000 $ 3,425 $ 9,037 $ 10,075 Ceded benefits and change in reserves for future benefits: Ceded Aflac Japan closed blocks (119 ) (63 ) (320 ) (192 ) Other 8 (9 ) 12 (22 ) Assumed from other companies: Retrocession activities 50 0 116 0 Other (12 ) 2 (29 ) 7 Benefits and claims, net $ 2,927 $ 3,355 $ 8,816 $ 9,868

NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)

NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	A summary of notes payable follows: (In millions) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 3.45% senior notes paid August 2015 $ 0 $ 300 2.65% senior notes due February 2017 652 (1) 653 (1) 8.50% senior notes due May 2019 0 (2) 850 2.40% senior notes due March 2020 550 0 4.00% senior notes due February 2022 350 (3) 350 (3) 3.625% senior notes due June 2023 700 700 3.625% senior notes due November 2024 749 (3) 749 (3) 3.25% senior notes due March 2025 448 (3) 0 6.90% senior notes due December 2039 397 (3) 397 (3) 6.45% senior notes due August 2040 448 (3) 448 (3) 5.50% subordinated debentures due September 2052 500 500 Yen-denominated Uridashi notes: 2.26% notes due September 2016 (principal amount 8 billion yen) 67 66 Yen-denominated Samurai notes: 1.84% notes due July 2016 (principal amount 15.8 billion yen) 132 131 Yen-denominated loans: 3.60% loan paid July 2015 (principal amount 10 billion yen) 0 83 3.00% loan paid August 2015 (principal amount 5 billion yen) 0 41 Capitalized lease obligations payable through 2022 16 14 Total notes payable $ 5,009 $ 5,282 (1) Principal amount plus an issuance premium that is being amortized over the life of the notes (2) Redeemed in April 2015 (3) Principal amount net of an issuance discount that is being amortized over the life of the notes

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Common Stock Outstanding Roll Forward	The following table is a reconciliation of the number of shares of the Company's common stock for the nine -month periods ended September 30 . (In thousands of shares) 2015 2014 Common stock - issued: Balance, beginning of period 668,132 667,046 Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares 1,377 921 Balance, end of period 669,509 667,967 Treasury stock: Balance, beginning of period 225,687 207,633 Purchases of treasury stock: Open market 17,421 11,070 Other 241 132 Dispositions of treasury stock: Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan (919 ) (930 ) Exercise of stock options (375 ) (316 ) Other (113 ) (121 ) Balance, end of period 241,942 217,468 Shares outstanding, end of period 427,567 450,499
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table presents the approximate number of share-based awards to purchase shares, on a weighted-average basis, that were considered to be anti-dilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the following periods. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Anti-dilutive share-based awards 2,126 1,486 1,798 903
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Total Balance, beginning of period $ (2,725 ) $ 3,384 $ (27 ) $ (125 ) $ 507 Other comprehensive 192 (260 ) (1 ) 0 (69 ) Amounts reclassified from 0 90 0 0 90 Net current-period other 192 (170 ) (1 ) 0 21 Balance, end of period $ (2,533 ) $ 3,214 $ (28 ) $ (125 ) $ 528 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. Three Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Liability Adjustment Total Balance, beginning of period $ (1,216 ) $ 2,915 $ (11 ) $ (82 ) $ 1,606 Other comprehensive (589 ) 505 (6 ) 1 (89 ) Amounts reclassified from 0 (18 ) 0 1 (17 ) Net current-period other (589 ) 487 (6 ) 2 (106 ) Balance, end of period $ (1,805 ) $ 3,402 $ (17 ) $ (80 ) $ 1,500 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. Nine Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Liability Adjustment Total Balance, beginning of period $ (2,541 ) $ 4,672 $ (26 ) $ (126 ) $ 1,979 Other comprehensive 8 (1,471 ) (2 ) 0 (1,465 ) Amounts reclassified from 0 13 0 1 14 Net current-period other 8 (1,458 ) (2 ) 1 (1,451 ) Balance, end of period $ (2,533 ) $ 3,214 $ (28 ) $ (125 ) $ 528 All amounts in the table above are net of tax. Nine Months Ended (In millions) Unrealized Foreign Unrealized Unrealized Pension Liability Adjustment Total Balance, beginning of period $ (1,505 ) $ 1,035 $ (12 ) $ (81 ) $ (563 ) Other comprehensive (300 ) 2,379 (5 ) 2 2,076 Amounts reclassified from 0 (12 ) 0 (1 ) (13 ) Net current-period other (300 ) 2,367 (5 ) 1 2,063 Balance, end of period $ (1,805 ) $ 3,402 $ (17 ) $ (80 ) $ 1,500 All amounts in the table above are net of tax.
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (In millions) Three Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ (1 ) Sales and redemptions (137 ) Other-than-temporary impairment (138 ) Total before tax 48 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (90 ) Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (4 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 4 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) 0 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 0 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ (90 ) Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details). (In millions) Three Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ 27 Sales and redemptions 0 Other-than-temporary impairment 27 Total before tax (9 ) Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 18 Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (5 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 4 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) 0 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (1 ) Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ 17 Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details). (In millions) Nine Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ 123 Sales and redemptions (143 ) Other-than-temporary impairment (20 ) Total before tax 7 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (13 ) Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (13 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 12 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) 0 Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ (1 ) Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ (14 ) Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details). (In millions) Nine Months Ended Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Affected Line Item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale $ 21 Sales and redemptions (3 ) Other-than-temporary impairment 18 Total before tax (6 ) Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 12 Net of tax Amortization of defined benefit pension items: Actuarial gains (losses) $ (11 ) Acquisition and operating expenses (2) Prior service (cost) credit 13 Acquisition and operating expenses (2) (1 ) Tax (expense) or benefit (1) $ 1 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ 13 Net of tax (1) Based on 35% tax rate (2) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details).

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	The following table provides information on stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2015 . Stock Weighted-Average Aggregate Weighted-Average Outstanding 8,303 4.6 $ 71 $ 50.82 Exercisable 6,374 3.5 67 48.35

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	Pension and other postretirement benefit expenses, included in acquisition and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings, included the following components: Three Months Ended September 30, Pension Benefits Other Japan U.S. Postretirement Benefits (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Components of net periodic Service cost $ 4 $ 3 $ 5 $ 5 $ 1 $ 0 Interest cost 1 1 7 (4 ) 0 0 Expected return on plan (1 ) (1 ) (5 ) (5 ) 0 0 Amortization of net actuarial 0 1 4 3 0 1 Amortization of prior service 0 0 0 0 (4 ) (4 ) Net periodic (benefit) cost $ 4 $ 4 $ 11 $ (1 ) $ (3 ) $ (3 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, Pension Benefits Other Japan U.S. Postretirement Benefits (In millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Components of net periodic Service cost $ 11 $ 11 $ 17 $ 15 $ 1 $ 1 Interest cost 4 5 23 11 1 1 Expected return on plan (3 ) (3 ) (16 ) (15 ) 0 0 Amortization of net actuarial 1 1 11 8 1 2 Amortization of prior service 0 0 0 0 (12 ) (13 ) Net periodic (benefit) cost $ 13 $ 14 $ 35 $ 19 $ (9 ) $ (9 )

Summary of Significant Accoun29

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - Aflac Japan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Aflac Japan's percentage of the Company's total revenues	70.00%	74.00%
Percentage of the Company Assets	83.00%		82.00%

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION -

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Operations by Segment - Revenues (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)segment		Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Insurance Business Segments | segment					2
Net earned premiums		$ 4,380		$ 4,841	$ 13,176		$ 14,583
Net investment income		784		841	2,343		2,511
Other income (loss)		(10)		38	8		48
Total revenues		5,040		5,736	15,553		17,214
Other non-operating income (loss)		(27)	[1]	27	(39)	[1]	7
Realized investment gains (losses), non-operating	[2]	(136)		6	(36)		42
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative, interest rate component, operating		22		10	62		30
Aflac Japan
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earned premiums		2,980		3,534	9,036		10,672
Net investment income		606		676	1,824		2,019
Other income (loss)		8		9	23		25
Total revenues		3,594		4,219	10,883		12,716
Aflac U.S.
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earned premiums		1,345		1,306	4,016		3,910
Net investment income		173		162	507		484
Other income (loss)		2		0	6		2
Total revenues		1,520		1,468	4,529		4,396
Other business segments
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues		67		11	159		29
Total Business Segments
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues		5,181		5,698	15,571		17,141
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues		73		43	242		194
Intercompany eliminations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues		(51)		$ (38)	(185)		$ (170)
September twenty fifteen profit repatriation
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss), realized		$ (14)			$ (14)
[1]	Includes a loss of $14 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, related to the change in value of yen repatriation received in advance of settlement of certain foreign currency derivatives. This loss was offset by derivative gains included in realized investment gains (losses).
[2]	Excluding a gain of $22 and $10 for the three-month periods and $62 and $30 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, and 2014, respectively, related to the interest rate component of the change in fair value of foreign currency swaps on notes payable which is classified as an operating gain when analyzing segment operations

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION 31

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Operations by Segment - Pretax Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			$ 1,027		$ 1,041	$ 3,058		$ 3,367
Realized investment gains (losses), non-operating	[1]		(136)		6	(36)		42
Other non-operating income (loss)			(27)	[2]	27	(270)	[2],[3]	7
Earnings before income taxes			864		1,074	2,752		3,416
Income taxes applicable to pretax operating earnings			355		356	1,057		1,151
Effect of foreign currency translation on operating earnings			(58)		(19)	(175)		(80)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative, interest rate component, operating			22		10	62		30
Gain (Loss) on Investments			(114)		16	26		72
Aflac Japan
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			789		828	2,365		2,688
Aflac U.S.
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			286		269	864		872
Other business segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			5		0	10		0
Total Business Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			1,080		1,097	3,239		3,560
Interest expense, noninsurance operations
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			(30)		(49)	(117)		(150)
Corporate and eliminations
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Pretax operating earnings			(23)		$ (7)	(64)		$ (43)
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Extinguishment of debt, make-whole premium		$ 230				230
September twenty fifteen profit repatriation
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss), realized			$ (14)			$ (14)
[1]	Excluding a gain of $22 and $10 for the three-month periods and $62 and $30 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, and 2014, respectively, related to the interest rate component of the change in fair value of foreign currency swaps on notes payable which is classified as an operating gain when analyzing segment operations
[2]	Includes a loss of $14 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, related to the change in value of yen repatriation received in advance of settlement of certain foreign currency derivatives. This loss was offset by derivative gains included in realized investment gains (losses).
[3]	Includes a cash outflow of $230 for the make-whole payment associated with the early extinguishment of debt

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION 32

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Operations by Segment - Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 117,455	$ 119,767
Aflac Japan
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	97,158	98,525
Aflac U.S.
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	18,687	18,383
Other business segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	176	128
Total Business Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	116,021	117,036
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	22,676	24,636
Intercompany eliminations
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ (21,242)	$ (21,905)

INVESTMENTS - Available-For-Sal

INVESTMENTS - Available-For-Sale Investments in Debt Securities, Perpetual Securities and Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 62,222	$ 60,844
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,637	8,136
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,456	710
Fair Value	67,403	68,270
Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	60,014	58,385
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,407	7,806
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,315	618
Fair Value	65,106	65,573
Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,089	2,440
Gross Unrealized Gains	218	321
Gross Unrealized Losses	141	92
Fair Value	2,166	2,669
Equity securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	119	19
Gross Unrealized Gains	12	9
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	131	28
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	25,442	26,501
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,638	3,029
Gross Unrealized Losses	168	242
Fair Value	27,912	29,288
Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	34,572	31,884
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,769	4,777
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,147	376
Fair Value	37,194	36,285
Japan government and agencies | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	16,799	17,341
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,544	1,740
Gross Unrealized Losses	1	0
Fair Value	18,342	19,081
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,166	1,257
Municipalities | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	88	88
Gross Unrealized Gains	6	9
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	94	97
Municipalities | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	927	961
Gross Unrealized Gains	154	201
Gross Unrealized Losses	9	2
Fair Value	1,072	1,160
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	591	602
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	330	351
Gross Unrealized Gains	31	35
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	361	386
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	201	185
Gross Unrealized Gains	29	31
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	230	216
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	7,848	7,897
Public utilities | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,613	1,691
Gross Unrealized Gains	202	226
Gross Unrealized Losses	17	5
Fair Value	1,798	1,912
Public utilities | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,437	5,061
Gross Unrealized Gains	742	960
Gross Unrealized Losses	129	36
Fair Value	6,050	5,985
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,421	1,416
Sovereign and supranational | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	795	799
Gross Unrealized Gains	185	163
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	980	962
Sovereign and supranational | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	332	343
Gross Unrealized Gains	109	111
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	441	454
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	6,261	6,598
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,964	2,438
Banks/financial institutions | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,463	2,752
Gross Unrealized Gains	271	325
Gross Unrealized Losses	118	189
Fair Value	2,616	2,888
Banks/financial institutions | Yen-denominated | Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,798	2,132
Gross Unrealized Gains	149	223
Gross Unrealized Losses	140	92
Fair Value	1,807	2,263
Banks/financial institutions | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,952	2,943
Gross Unrealized Gains	707	775
Gross Unrealized Losses	14	8
Fair Value	3,645	3,710
Banks/financial institutions | Dollar-denominated | Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	107	125
Gross Unrealized Gains	51	50
Gross Unrealized Losses	1	0
Fair Value	157	175
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	29,354	28,605
Other corporate | Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	202	231
Other corporate | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,354	3,479
Gross Unrealized Gains	399	531
Gross Unrealized Losses	32	48
Fair Value	3,721	3,962
Other corporate | Yen-denominated | Perpetual securities:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	184	183
Gross Unrealized Gains	18	48
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	202	231
Other corporate | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	24,612	22,291
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,016	2,682
Gross Unrealized Losses	995	330
Fair Value	25,633	24,643
U.S. government and agencies | Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	111	100
Gross Unrealized Gains	12	17
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	$ 123	$ 117

INVESTMENTS - Held-to-Maturity

INVESTMENTS - Held-to-Maturity Investments in Debt Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 33,729	$ 34,242
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,589	4,379
Gross Unrealized Losses	370	124
Fair Value	36,948	38,497
Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost		34,242
Fair Value	36,948	38,497
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	33,729	34,242
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,589	4,379
Gross Unrealized Losses	370	124
Fair Value	36,948	38,497
Japan government and agencies | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	20,115	20,023
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,876	3,195
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	22,991	23,218
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	345	346
Fair Value	409	417
Municipalities | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	345	346
Gross Unrealized Gains	64	71
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	409	417
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	38	43
Fair Value	40	46
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	38	43
Gross Unrealized Gains	2	3
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	40	46
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,108	3,342
Fair Value	3,128	3,603
Public utilities | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,108	3,342
Gross Unrealized Gains	151	281
Gross Unrealized Losses	131	20
Fair Value	3,128	3,603
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	2,569	2,556
Fair Value	2,686	2,814
Sovereign and supranational | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	2,569	2,556
Gross Unrealized Gains	164	272
Gross Unrealized Losses	47	14
Fair Value	2,686	2,814
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	4,539	4,932
Fair Value	4,544	5,085
Banks/financial institutions | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	4,539	4,932
Gross Unrealized Gains	141	231
Gross Unrealized Losses	136	78
Fair Value	4,544	5,085
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,015	3,000
Fair Value	3,150	3,314
Other corporate | Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,015	3,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	191	326
Gross Unrealized Losses	56	12
Fair Value	$ 3,150	$ 3,314

INVESTMENTS - Additional Inform

INVESTMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)investment	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)investment	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)investment	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)investmentissuer	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 62,222				$ 62,222		$ 60,844
Available-for-sale securities, equity securities		131				$ 131		28
Held to Maturity Securities Transferred to Available for Sale Securities Number of Investments | investment			1	1	1	0
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	[1]	137	$ 0			$ 143	$ 31
Reclassified investments from the held-to-maturity portfolio to the available-for-sale portfolio, amortized cost			233	$ 128	$ 63		$ 233
Reclassified investments from the held-to-maturity portfolio to the available-for-sale portfolio, aggregate unrealized gain (loss)			$ (18)	$ (28)	$ (8)
Middle Market Loan Receivable		66				66
Middle Market Loan Program Unfunded Amount		49				49
Middle Market Loan Program Allocation		$ 233				$ 233
Percentage that the lending policy requires that the fair value of the securities and/or unrestricted cash received as collateral be of the fair value of the loaned securities		102.00%				102.00%
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 67,403				$ 67,403		68,270
Parent Company and Other Business Segments
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost		500				500
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, fair value		515				515
Variable Interest Entity, Not Consolidated
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost		5,792				5,792		6,104
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, fair value		6,367				$ 6,367		6,937
Number of issuers of VIEs not-consolidated | issuer						175
Perpetual Securities Matured or Called [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost								361
Available-for-sale Securities								387
Bank loans
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost		1,300				$ 1,300		501
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, fair value		1,300				1,300		$ 579
Yen-denominated | Exchange traded funds
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, equity securities		$ 103				$ 103
[1]	Includes $6 and $0 for the three-month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairment

INVESTMENTS - Contractual Matur

INVESTMENTS - Contractual Maturities of Investments in Fixed Maturities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Held to maturity:
Total fixed maturities held to maturity, amortized cost	$ 33,729	$ 34,242
Held to maturity:
Total fixed maturities held to maturity, fair value	36,948	$ 38,497
Aflac Japan
Available for sale:
Due in one year or less	246
Due after one year through five years	2,340
Due after five years through 10 years	11,299
Due after 10 years	33,384
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	381
Total fixed maturities available for sale, amortized cost	47,650
Held to maturity:
Due in one year or less	318
Due after one year through five years	1,593
Due after five years through 10 years	1,730
Due after 10 years	30,050
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	38
Total fixed maturities held to maturity, amortized cost	33,729
Available for sale:
Due in one year or less	262
Due after one year through five years	2,722
Due after five years through 10 years	11,576
Due after 10 years	36,760
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	432
Total fixed maturities available for sale, fair value	51,752
Held to maturity:
Due in one year or less	324
Due after one year through five years	1,675
Due after five years through 10 years	1,825
Due after 10 years	33,084
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	40
Total fixed maturities held to maturity, fair value	36,948
Aflac U.S.
Available for sale:
Due in one year or less	85
Due after one year through five years	641
Due after five years through 10 years	2,033
Due after 10 years	9,069
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	36
Total fixed maturities available for sale, amortized cost	11,864
Held to maturity:
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	0
Total fixed maturities held to maturity, amortized cost	0
Available for sale:
Due in one year or less	86
Due after one year through five years	717
Due after five years through 10 years	2,140
Due after 10 years	9,851
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	45
Total fixed maturities available for sale, fair value	12,839
Held to maturity:
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	0
Total fixed maturities held to maturity, fair value	$ 0

INVESTMENTS - Economic Maturiti

INVESTMENTS - Economic Maturities of Investments in Perpetual Securities (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Aflac Japan
Investments Classified by Economic Maturity Date [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$ 261
Due after one year through five years	449
Due after 10 years	1,340
Total perpetual securities available for sale, amortized cost	2,050
Due in one year or less	254
Due after one year through five years	453
Due after 10 years	1,401
Total perpetual securities available for sale, fair value	2,108
Aflac U.S.
Investments Classified by Economic Maturity Date [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after 10 years	39
Total perpetual securities available for sale, amortized cost	39
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after 10 years	58
Total perpetual securities available for sale, fair value	$ 58

INVESTMENTS - Total Investments

INVESTMENTS - Total Investments in Bank and Financial Institution Sector, Including those Classified as Perpetual Securities (Detail) - Banks/financial institutions - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 11,859	$ 12,884
Fair Value	$ 12,769	$ 14,121
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Amortized Cost	12.00%	14.00%
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Fair Value	12.00%	13.00%
Fixed maturities:
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 9,954	$ 10,627
Fair Value	$ 10,805	$ 11,683
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Amortized Cost	10.00%	11.00%
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Fair Value	10.00%	11.00%
Perpetual securities | Upper Tier II:
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 1,337	$ 1,554
Fair Value	$ 1,369	$ 1,645
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Amortized Cost	1.00%	2.00%
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Fair Value	1.00%	1.00%
Perpetual securities | Tier I:
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 568	$ 703
Fair Value	$ 595	$ 793
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Amortized Cost	1.00%	1.00%
Percentage of Total Investment Portfolio, Fair Value	1.00%	1.00%

INVESTMENTS - Information Regar

INVESTMENTS - Information Regarding Pretax Realized Gains and Losses From Investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized	[1]	$ (137)	$ 0	$ (143)	$ (31)
Derivative gains (losses)		(3)	(17)	(17)	(67)
Other		0	0	0	(1)
Total realized investment gains (losses)		(114)	16	26	72
Fixed maturities:
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Total realized investment gains (losses)		(110)	33	14	140
Perpetual securities:
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Total realized investment gains (losses)		0	0	30	0
Equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized		(1)	0	(1)	0
Total realized investment gains (losses)		(1)	0	(1)	0
Derivatives and other
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Total realized investment gains (losses)		(3)	(17)	(17)	(68)
Available-for-sale securities | Fixed maturities:
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains from sales		20	17	124	144
Gross losses from sales		(6)	0	(6)	(1)
Net gains (losses) from redemptions		12	16	38	27
Other-than-temporary impairment losses realized		(136)	0	(142)	(31)
Available-for-sale securities | Perpetual securities:
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) from redemptions		0	0	30	0
Held-to-maturity securities | Fixed maturities:
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) from redemptions		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1
[1]	Includes $6 and $0 for the three-month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairment

INVESTMENTS - Pretax Other-Than

INVESTMENTS - Pretax Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses by Investment Category (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	[1]	$ 137	$ 0	$ 143	$ 31
Change in intent impairment
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net		6	0	12	31
Credit-related impairment [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net		131		131
Corporate bonds
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net		5	0	7	31
Banks/financial institutions
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net		131	0	135	0
Equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net		$ 1	$ 0	$ 1	$ 0
[1]	Includes $6 and $0 for the three-month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairment

INVESTMENTS - Net Effect on Sha

INVESTMENTS - Net Effect on Shareholders' Equity of Unrealized Gains and Losses from Investment Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-sale Securities	$ 5,181	$ 7,426
Deferred income taxes	(1,967)	(2,754)
Shareholders' equity, unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	$ 3,214	$ 4,672

INVESTMENTS - Fair Value and Gr

INVESTMENTS - Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses for Securities That Have Been in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	$ 21,653	$ 14,279
Total Unrealized Losses	1,826	834
Less than 12 months Fair Value	15,867	2,751
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	938	83
12 months or longer Fair Value	5,786	11,528
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	888	751
Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	20,908	13,496
Total Unrealized Losses	1,685	742
Less than 12 months Fair Value	15,652	2,557
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	911	78
12 months or longer Fair Value	5,256	10,939
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	774	664
Perpetual securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	745	783
Total Unrealized Losses	141	92
Less than 12 months Fair Value	215	194
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	27	5
12 months or longer Fair Value	530	589
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	114	87
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Japan government and agencies
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	92
Total Unrealized Losses	1
Less than 12 months Fair Value	92
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	1
12 months or longer Fair Value	0
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	0
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	1,451	805
Total Unrealized Losses	148	25
Less than 12 months Fair Value	1,039	98
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	102	1
12 months or longer Fair Value	412	707
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	46	24
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Sovereign and supranational
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	728	359
Total Unrealized Losses	47	14
Less than 12 months Fair Value	535	0
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	32	0
12 months or longer Fair Value	193	359
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	15	14
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	2,809	1,828
Total Unrealized Losses	254	267
Less than 12 months Fair Value	1,762	166
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	72	0
12 months or longer Fair Value	1,047	1,662
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	182	267
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	1,237	1,151
Total Unrealized Losses	88	60
Less than 12 months Fair Value	437	122
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	5	2
12 months or longer Fair Value	800	1,029
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	83	58
Yen-denominated | Perpetual securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	739	783
Total Unrealized Losses	140	92
Less than 12 months Fair Value	215	194
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	27	5
12 months or longer Fair Value	524	589
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	113	87
Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Municipalities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	44	75
Total Unrealized Losses	9	2
Less than 12 months Fair Value	44	53
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	9	1
12 months or longer Fair Value	0	22
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	0	1
Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	1,955	1,001
Total Unrealized Losses	129	36
Less than 12 months Fair Value	1,499	164
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	79	7
12 months or longer Fair Value	456	837
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	50	29
Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	307	205
Total Unrealized Losses	14	8
Less than 12 months Fair Value	304	53
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	14	5
12 months or longer Fair Value	3	152
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	0	3
Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	12,285	8,072
Total Unrealized Losses	995	330
Less than 12 months Fair Value	9,940	1,901
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	597	62
12 months or longer Fair Value	2,345	6,171
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	398	$ 268
Dollar-denominated | Perpetual securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Total Fair Value	6
Total Unrealized Losses	1
Less than 12 months Fair Value	0
Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses	0
12 months or longer Fair Value	6
12 months or longer Unrealized Losses	$ 1

INVESTMENTS - Composition of In

INVESTMENTS - Composition of Investments in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	100.00%	100.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	100.00%	100.00%
Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	96.00%	95.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	92.00%	89.00%
Perpetual securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	4.00%	5.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	8.00%	11.00%
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	16.00%	13.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	15.00%	7.00%
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	3.00%	3.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	3.00%	2.00%
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	14.00%	14.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	15.00%	33.00%
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Investments in an Unrealized Loss Position	63.00%	65.00%
Percentage of Total Unrealized Losses	59.00%	47.00%
Investment Grade | Perpetual securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of unrealized losses attributable to securities that were investment grade	100.00%	100.00%
Investment Grade | Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of unrealized losses attributable to securities that were investment grade	95.00%	100.00%
Investment Grade | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of unrealized losses attributable to securities that were investment grade	100.00%	100.00%
Investment Grade | Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of unrealized losses attributable to securities that were investment grade	60.00%	31.00%
Investment Grade | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Percentage of unrealized losses attributable to securities that were investment grade	86.00%	88.00%

INVESTMENTS - Details of Holdin

INVESTMENTS - Details of Holdings of Perpetual Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 62,222	$ 60,844
Fair Value	67,403	68,270
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	5,181	7,426
Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,089	2,440
Fair Value	2,166	2,669
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	77	229
Upper Tier II: | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,337	1,554
Fair Value	1,369	1,645
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	32	91
Upper Tier II: | A | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	61	61
Fair Value	87	87
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	26	26
Upper Tier II: | BBB | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,112	1,330
Fair Value	1,056	1,333
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(56)	3
Upper Tier II: | BB or lower | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	164	163
Fair Value	226	225
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	62	62
Tier I: | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	568	703
Fair Value	595	793
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	27	90
Tier I: | BBB | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	522	519
Fair Value	524	556
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	2	37
Tier I: | BB or lower | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	46	184
Fair Value	71	237
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	25	53
Other subordinated - non-banks | BB or lower | Perpetual securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	184	183
Fair Value	202	231
Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$ 18	$ 48

INVESTMENTS - Investments in Co

INVESTMENTS - Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 33,729	$ 34,242
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	36,948	38,497
Asset derivatives	877	802
Assets, fair value	71,982	73,901
Liability derivatives	384	2,423
Liabilities	100,200	101,420
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	384	2,423
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,651	3,020
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, fair value	4,541	4,166
Securities available for sale, perpetual securities, amortized cost	287	405
Securities available for sale, perpetual securities, fair value	269	429
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	83	83
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	80	84
Asset derivative, amortized cost	106	106
Asset derivatives	106	106
Assets, amortized cost	4,127	3,614
Assets, fair value	4,996	4,785
Liability derivatives, amortized cost	343	318
Liability derivatives	343	318
Liabilities	343	318
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	$ 343	$ 318

INVESTMENTS - Investments in Va

INVESTMENTS - Investments in Variable Interest Entities Not Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 33,729	$ 34,242
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	36,948	38,497
Assets, fair value	71,982	73,901
Variable Interest Entity, Not Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, amortized cost	5,792	6,104
Securities available for sale, fixed maturities, fair value	6,367	6,937
Securities available for sale, perpetual securities, amortized cost	250	324
Securities available for sale, perpetual securities, fair value	243	330
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	2,491	2,564
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,578	2,829
Assets, amortized cost	8,533	8,992
Assets, fair value	$ 9,188	$ 10,096

INVESTMENTS - Securities Lendin

INVESTMENTS - Securities Lending Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		$ 907	$ 2,193
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending		907	2,193
Amounts related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 4		0	0
Japan government and agencies
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		454	1,720
Public utilities
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		119	80
Sovereign and supranational
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		3	1
Banks/financial institutions
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		13	64
Other corporate
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		318	328
Maturity Overnight and Continuous
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions	[1]	598	473
Maturity Overnight and Continuous | Japan government and agencies
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions	[1]	145	0
Maturity Overnight and Continuous | Public utilities
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions	[1]	119	80
Maturity Overnight and Continuous | Sovereign and supranational
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions	[1]	3	1
Maturity Overnight and Continuous | Banks/financial institutions
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions	[1]	13	64
Maturity Overnight and Continuous | Other corporate
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions	[1]	318	328
Maturity up to 30 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		309	1,720
Maturity up to 30 Days | Japan government and agencies
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		309	1,720
Maturity up to 30 Days | Public utilities
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		0	0
Maturity up to 30 Days | Sovereign and supranational
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		0	0
Maturity up to 30 Days | Banks/financial institutions
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		0	0
Maturity up to 30 Days | Other corporate
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Securities lending transactions		$ 0	$ 0
[1]	These securities are pledged as collateral under our U.S. securities lending program and can be called at our discretion; therefore, they are classified as Overnight and Continuous.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Additi

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) ¥ in Billions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)counterpartiescurrency	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)counterpartiescurrency	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015JPY (¥)counterpartiescurrency	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Hedging activity, weighted-average period (in years)			10 years
Number of currencies related to foreign currency swaps | currency	1		1		1
Number of counterparties | counterparties	17		17		17
Number of counterparties that comprise majority of aggregate notional amount of swaps | counterparties	4		4		4
Percentage of notional amount of swaps from certain number of counterparties	56.00%		56.00%		56.00%
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	$ 7,000,000		$ 7,000,000				$ 1,600,000,000
Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value	7,000,000		7,000,000				2,100,000,000
Collateral obtained from third parties	622,000,000		622,000,000				619,000,000
Notional Amount of Derivatives	23,356,000,000		23,356,000,000				23,662,000,000
Non-qualifying strategies
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	7,694,000,000		7,694,000,000				6,693,000,000
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	18,000,000	$ (13,000,000)	21,000,000	$ (40,000,000)
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	1,007,000,000		1,007,000,000				784,000,000
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	17,000,000	0	16,000,000	0
Net investment hedge
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0	0	0	0
Notional Amount of Derivatives	1,623,000,000		1,623,000,000				1,307,000,000
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	1,455,000,000		1,455,000,000				1,307,000,000
Cash flow hedges
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	75,000,000		75,000,000				$ 75,000,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
3.625% senior notes due November 2024
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	750,000,000		750,000,000
3.25% senior notes due March 2025
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	450,000,000		450,000,000			$ 450,000,000
3.625% senior notes due June 2023
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	700,000,000		700,000,000
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	400,000,000		400,000,000
2.40% senior notes due March 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	550,000,000		550,000,000			$ 550,000,000
4.00% senior notes due February 2022
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	350,000,000		350,000,000
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000
February twenty fifteen profit repatriation | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives | ¥					¥ 30
July twenty fifteen profit repatriation | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives | ¥					102.5
September twenty fifteen profit repatriation | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives | ¥					25
Future profit repatriation | Foreign currency forwards and options
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives | ¥					¥ 194.6

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Fair V

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Fair Value and Notional Amounts of Derivatives With Counterparty Credit Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	$ 23,356	$ 23,662
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	877	802
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(384)	(2,423)
AA
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	2,277	1,098
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	175	39
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(41)	(36)
A
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	21,079	22,564
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	702	763
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	$ (343)	$ (2,387)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Summar

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Summary of Balance Sheet Classification of Derivative Fair Value Amounts, as well as Gross Asset and Liability Fair Value Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	$ 23,356	$ 23,662
Net Derivatives Fair Value	493	(1,621)
Asset derivatives fair value	877	802
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(384)	(2,423)
Other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	16,776	6,531
Net Derivatives Fair Value	877	802
Asset derivatives fair value	877	802
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	0	0
Other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	6,580	17,131
Net Derivatives Fair Value	(384)	(2,423)
Asset derivatives fair value	0	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(384)	(2,423)
Foreign currency swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives fair value	604	746
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(352)	(318)
Foreign currency forwards
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives fair value	268	56
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(24)	(1,912)
Foreign currency options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives fair value	5
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(8)	(33)
Interest rate swaptions
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value		(160)
Cash flow hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	75	75
Net Derivatives Fair Value	(18)	(15)
Asset derivatives fair value	0	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(18)	(15)
Cash flow hedges | Foreign currency swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	75	75
Net Derivatives Fair Value	(18)	(15)
Asset derivatives fair value	0	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(18)	(15)
Fair value hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	13,964	15,587
Net Derivatives Fair Value	239	(1,982)
Asset derivatives fair value	249	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(10)	(1,982)
Fair value hedges | Foreign currency forwards
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	12,714	12,388
Net Derivatives Fair Value	239	(1,791)
Asset derivatives fair value	248	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(9)	(1,791)
Fair value hedges | Foreign currency options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	1,250	697
Net Derivatives Fair Value	0	(32)
Asset derivatives fair value	1	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(1)	(32)
Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaptions
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount		2,502
Net Derivatives Fair Value		(159)
Asset derivatives fair value		0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value		(159)
Net investment hedge
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	1,623	1,307
Net Derivatives Fair Value	2	54
Asset derivatives fair value	23	56
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(21)	(2)
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency forwards
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	1,455	1,307
Net Derivatives Fair Value	5	54
Asset derivatives fair value	19	56
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(14)	(2)
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	168
Net Derivatives Fair Value	(3)
Asset derivatives fair value	4
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(7)
Non-qualifying strategies
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	7,694	6,693
Net Derivatives Fair Value	270	322
Asset derivatives fair value	605	746
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(335)	(424)
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	6,604	5,765
Net Derivatives Fair Value	270	443
Asset derivatives fair value	604	746
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(334)	(303)
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency forwards
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	1,007	784
Net Derivatives Fair Value	0	(119)
Asset derivatives fair value	1	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	(1)	(119)
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount		53
Net Derivatives Fair Value		(1)
Asset derivatives fair value		0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value		(1)
Non-qualifying strategies | Credit default swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount	83	83
Net Derivatives Fair Value	0	0
Asset derivatives fair value	0	0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	$ 0	0
Non-qualifying strategies | Interest rate swaptions
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Derivatives Notional Amount		8
Net Derivatives Fair Value		(1)
Asset derivatives fair value		0
Liability Derivatives Fair Value		$ (1)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Gains

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Gains (Losses) Recognized on Fair Value Hedging Relationships (Details) - Fixed Maturities - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total gains (losses) recognized for derivatives	$ 247	$ (1,094)	$ 17	$ (631)
Gains (losses) on derivatives excluded from effectiveness testing	(28)	(1)	(60)	(36)
Gains (losses) on derivatives included in effectiveness testing	275	(1,093)	77	(595)
Gains (losses) recognized for hedged items	(267)	1,097	(62)	624
Ineffectiveness recognized for fair value hedge	8	4	15	29
Foreign currency options
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total gains (losses) recognized for derivatives	(1)	(9)	(4)	(8)
Gains (losses) on derivatives excluded from effectiveness testing	(1)	(9)	3	(8)
Gains (losses) on derivatives included in effectiveness testing	0	0	(7)	0
Gains (losses) recognized for hedged items	0	0	7	0
Ineffectiveness recognized for fair value hedge	$ 0	0	0	0
Interest rate swaptions
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Total gains (losses) recognized for derivatives		(34)	(95)	(160)
Gains (losses) on derivatives excluded from effectiveness testing		2	19	(20)
Gains (losses) on derivatives included in effectiveness testing		(36)	(114)	(140)
Gains (losses) recognized for hedged items		37	99	150
Ineffectiveness recognized for fair value hedge		$ 1	$ (15)	$ 10

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Deriva

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments Gain (Loss) Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period		$ 186	$ (904)	$ 25	$ (459)
Derivative and other gains (losses)		(3)	(17)	(17)	(67)
Derivative and non-derivative hedging instruments gain loss recognized in other comprehensive income effective portion before tax	[1]	(43)	34	(6)	(9)
Cash flow hedges
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		0	(1)	0	(2)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	(1)	(9)	(3)	(8)
Cash flow hedges | Foreign currency swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		0	(1)	0	(2)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	(1)	(9)	(3)	(8)
Fair value hedges
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		(21)	(3)	(38)	(25)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Fair value hedges | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	[2]	(20)	3	(45)	(7)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1],[2]	0	0	0	0
Fair value hedges | Foreign currency options
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	[2]	(1)	(9)	3	(8)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1],[2]	0	0	0	0
Fair value hedges | Interest rate swaptions
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	[2]	0	3	4	(10)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1],[2]	0	0	0	0
Net investment hedge
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		0	0	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period	[1]	(42)	43	(3)	(1)
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		0	0	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period	[1]	(35)	11	(1)	(2)
Net investment hedge | Foreign currency options
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		0	0	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period	[1]	(3)	0	(3)	(3)
Net investment hedge | Non-derivative hedging instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)		0	0	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period	[1]	(4)	32	1	4
Non-qualifying strategies
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net		18	(13)	21	(40)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net		2	44	0	48
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Non-qualifying strategies | Foreign currency forwards
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net		17	0	16	0
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Non-qualifying strategies | Credit default swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net		(1)	(1)	0	2
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Non-qualifying strategies | Interest rate swaps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net		0	(2)	5	(1)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Non-qualifying strategies | Futures
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net		0	(54)	0	(89)
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	[1]	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Cash flow hedge items are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and net investment hedge items are recorded in the unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) line in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).
[2]	Impact shown net of effect of hedged items (see Fair Value Hedges section of this Note 4 for further detail)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Offset

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative assets	$ 877		$ 802
Gross amount of liabilities offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative assets presented in balance sheet	877		802
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative assets in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, collateral, obligation to return cash and securities	(622)	[1]	(619)	[2]
Derivative asset, fair value, amount offset against collateral	255		183
Derivative, collateral, obligation to return securities	(272)		(153)
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	(350)		(466)
Foreign currency swaps
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative assets	604		746
Gross amount of liabilities offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative assets presented in balance sheet	604		746
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative assets in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, collateral, obligation to return cash and securities	(331)		(568)
Derivative asset, fair value, amount offset against collateral	273		178
Foreign currency forwards
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative assets	268		56
Gross amount of liabilities offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative assets presented in balance sheet	268		56
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative assets in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, collateral, obligation to return cash and securities	(290)		(51)
Derivative asset, fair value, amount offset against collateral	(22)		5
Foreign currency options
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative assets	5
Gross amount of liabilities offset in balance sheet	0
Net amount of derivative assets presented in balance sheet	5
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative assets in balance sheet	0
Derivative, collateral, obligation to return cash and securities	(1)
Derivative asset, fair value, amount offset against collateral	4
Offsetting assets
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized financial instruments	1,762		2,951
Gross amounts offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts of assets presented in balance sheet	1,762		2,951
Carrying value of financial instruments not offset in balance sheet	0		0
Collateral not offset in balance sheet	(1,507)		(2,768)
Financial instruments, amount offset against collateral	255		183
Offsetting assets | Securities lending and similar arrangements
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized financial instruments	885		2,149
Gross amounts offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts of assets presented in balance sheet	885		2,149
Carrying value of financial instruments not offset in balance sheet	0		0
Collateral not offset in balance sheet	(885)		(2,149)
Financial instruments, amount offset against collateral	$ 0		$ 0
[1]	Consists of $272 of pledged securities and $350 of cash.
[2]	Consists of $153 of pledged securities and $466 of cash.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Offs54

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative liabilities	$ (384)		$ (2,423)
Gross amount of assets offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in balance sheet	(384)		(2,423)
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative liabilities in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities	7	[1]	1,621	[2]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	(377)		(802)
Foreign currency swaps
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative liabilities	(352)		(318)
Gross amount of assets offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in balance sheet	(352)		(318)
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative liabilities in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	(352)		(318)
Foreign currency forwards
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative liabilities	(24)		(1,912)
Gross amount of assets offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in balance sheet	(24)		(1,912)
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative liabilities in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities	5		1,439
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	(19)		(473)
Foreign currency options
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative liabilities	(8)		(33)
Gross amount of assets offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in balance sheet	(8)		(33)
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative liabilities in balance sheet	0		0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities	2		24
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	(6)		(9)
Interest rate swaptions
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized derivative liabilities			(160)
Gross amount of assets offset in balance sheet			0
Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in balance sheet			(160)
Financial instruments, amount not offset against derivative liabilities in balance sheet			0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities			158
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral			(2)
Offsetting liabilities
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized financial instruments	(1,291)		(4,616)
Gross amounts offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts of liabilities presented in balance sheet	(1,291)		(4,616)
Carrying value of financial instruments not offset in balance sheet	885		2,149
Collateral not offset in balance sheet	7		1,621
Financial instruments, amount offset against collateral	(399)		(846)
Offsetting liabilities | Securities lending and similar arrangements
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized financial instruments	(907)		(2,193)
Gross amounts offset in balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts of liabilities presented in balance sheet	(907)		(2,193)
Carrying value of financial instruments not offset in balance sheet	885		2,149
Collateral not offset in balance sheet	0		0
Financial instruments, amount offset against collateral	$ (22)		$ (44)
[1]	Consists entirely of cash.
[2]	Consists entirely of pledged securities

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 67,403	$ 68,270
Asset derivatives	877	802
Other Investments	182	171
Cash and cash equivalents	3,520	4,658
Total assets	71,982	73,901
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	384	2,423
Total liabilities	384	2,423
Foreign currency swaps
Assets:
Asset derivatives	604	746
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	352	318
Foreign currency forwards
Assets:
Asset derivatives	268	56
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	24	1,912
Foreign currency options
Assets:
Asset derivatives	5
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	8	33
Interest rate swaptions
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives		160
Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	65,106	65,573
Fixed Maturities | Government and agencies debt securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	18,465	19,198
Fixed Maturities | Municipalities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	1,166	1,257
Fixed Maturities | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	591	602
Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	7,848	7,897
Fixed Maturities | Sovereign and supranational
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421	1,416
Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	6,261	6,598
Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	29,354	28,605
Perpetual securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	2,166	2,669
Perpetual securities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	1,964	2,438
Perpetual securities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	202	231
Equity securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	131	28
Level 1
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	18,042	18,702
Asset derivatives	0	0
Other Investments	182	171
Cash and cash equivalents	3,520	4,658
Total assets	21,744	23,531
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 | Foreign currency swaps
Assets:
Asset derivatives	0	0
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	0	0
Level 1 | Foreign currency forwards
Assets:
Asset derivatives	0	0
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	0	0
Level 1 | Foreign currency options
Assets:
Asset derivatives	0
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	0	0
Level 1 | Interest rate swaptions
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives		0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	17,920	18,683
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Government and agencies debt securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	17,920	18,683
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Municipalities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Sovereign and supranational
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Perpetual securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Perpetual securities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Perpetual securities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 1 | Equity securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	122	19
Level 2
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	49,112	49,167
Asset derivatives	771	696
Other Investments	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Total assets	49,883	49,863
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	41	2,105
Level 2 | Foreign currency swaps
Assets:
Asset derivatives	498	640
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	9	0
Level 2 | Foreign currency forwards
Assets:
Asset derivatives	268	56
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	24	1,912
Level 2 | Foreign currency options
Assets:
Asset derivatives	5
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	8	33
Level 2 | Interest rate swaptions
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives		160
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	46,940	46,641
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Government and agencies debt securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	545	515
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Municipalities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	1,166	1,257
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	371	379
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	7,848	7,897
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Sovereign and supranational
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421	1,416
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	6,235	6,572
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	29,354	28,605
Level 2 | Perpetual securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	2,166	2,520
Level 2 | Perpetual securities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	1,964	2,289
Level 2 | Perpetual securities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	202	231
Level 2 | Equity securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	6	6
Level 3
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	249	401
Asset derivatives	106	106
Other Investments	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Total assets	355	507
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	343	318
Level 3 | Foreign currency swaps
Assets:
Asset derivatives	106	106
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	343	318
Level 3 | Foreign currency forwards
Assets:
Asset derivatives	0	0
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	0	0
Level 3 | Foreign currency options
Assets:
Asset derivatives	0
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	0	0
Level 3 | Interest rate swaptions
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives		0
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	246	249
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Government and agencies debt securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Municipalities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	220	223
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Sovereign and supranational
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	26	26
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 3 | Perpetual securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	149
Level 3 | Perpetual securities | Banks/financial institutions
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	149
Level 3 | Perpetual securities | Other corporate
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Level 3 | Equity securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale Securities	3	3
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated
Assets:
Asset derivatives	106	106
Total assets	4,996	4,785
Liabilities:
Liability derivatives	343	318
Total liabilities	$ 343	$ 318

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fai56

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Assets and Liabilities Carried at Cost or Amortized Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 33,729	$ 34,242
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	36,948	38,497
Other investments, carried at amortized cost	66
Other investments, carried at amortized cost, fair value	66
Total financial instruments, assets, not carried at fair value	33,795
Assets, fair value disclosure, financial instruments, carried at cost	37,014
Liabilities
Other policyholder funds	6,284	6,031
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure	6,156	5,905
Notes Payable	4,993	5,268
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	5,277	5,835
Total Financial Instrument Liabilities Not Carried At Fair Value	11,277	11,299
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost	11,433	11,740
Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost		34,242
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	36,948	38,497
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	20,115	20,023
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	345	346
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	409	417
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	38	43
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	40	46
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,108	3,342
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,128	3,603
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	2,569	2,556
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,686	2,814
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	4,539	4,932
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	4,544	5,085
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, amortized cost	3,015	3,000
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,150	3,314
Level 1
Assets:
Other investments, carried at amortized cost, fair value	0
Assets, fair value disclosure, financial instruments, carried at cost	22,991
Liabilities
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure	0	0
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Level 1 | Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Level 1 | Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 1 | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 1 | Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 1 | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 1 | Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 1 | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 2
Assets:
Other investments, carried at amortized cost, fair value	0
Assets, fair value disclosure, financial instruments, carried at cost	13,930
Liabilities
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure	0	0
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost	0	0
Level 2 | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	13,930	15,248
Level 2 | Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 2 | Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	409	417
Level 2 | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	13	15
Level 2 | Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,128	3,603
Level 2 | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,686	2,814
Level 2 | Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	4,544	5,085
Level 2 | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,150	3,314
Level 3
Assets:
Other investments, carried at amortized cost, fair value	66
Assets, fair value disclosure, financial instruments, carried at cost	93
Liabilities
Other policyholders' funds fair value disclosure	6,156	5,905
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	5,277	5,835
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Instruments Carried At Cost	11,433	11,740
Level 3 | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	31
Level 3 | Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 3 | Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 3 | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	31
Level 3 | Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 3 | Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 3 | Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Level 3 | Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Assets:
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fai57

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Assets by Pricing Source, Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 67,403	$ 68,270
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	18,042	18,702
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	49,112	49,167
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	249	401
Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	65,106	65,573
Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	17,920	18,683
Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	46,940	46,641
Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	246	249
Perpetual securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,166	2,669
Perpetual securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Perpetual securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,166	2,520
Perpetual securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	149
Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	131	28
Equity securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	122	19
Equity securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6	6
Equity securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3	3
Equity securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	128	25
Equity securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	122	19
Equity securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6	6
Equity securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Equity securities | Net Asset Value Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3	3
Equity securities | Net Asset Value Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Equity securities | Net Asset Value Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Equity securities | Net Asset Value Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3	3
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	18,465	19,198
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	17,920	18,683
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	545	515
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	18,465	19,198
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	17,920	18,683
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	545	515
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,166	1,257
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,166	1,257
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,166	1,257
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,166	1,257
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	591	602
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	371	379
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	220	223
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	371	379
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	371	379
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	220	223
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	220	223
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	7,848	7,897
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	7,848	7,897
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	7,848	7,897
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	7,848	7,897
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421	1,416
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421	1,416
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421	1,416
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421	1,416
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6,261	6,598
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6,235	6,572
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	26	26
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6,235	6,514
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	6,235	6,514
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	26	84
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	58
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	26	26
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,964	2,438
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,964	2,289
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	149
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,964	2,289
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,964	2,289
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		149
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		149
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	29,354	28,605
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	29,354	28,605
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	29,304	28,605
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	29,304	28,605
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	50
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	50
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0
Other corporate | Perpetual securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	202	231
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	202	231
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	202	231
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	202	231
Other corporate | Perpetual securities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fai58

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Assets by Pricing Source, Held-to-Maturity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	$ 36,948	$ 38,497
Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	36,948	38,497
Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	13,930	15,248
Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	31
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	22,991	23,218
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Government and agencies debt securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	409	417
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	409	417
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	409	417
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	409	417
Municipalities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	40	46
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	13	15
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	31
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	13	15
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	13	15
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	31
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	31
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,128	3,603
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,128	3,603
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,128	3,603
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,128	3,603
Public utilities | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,686	2,814
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,686	2,814
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,686	2,814
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	2,686	2,814
Sovereign and supranational | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	4,544	5,085
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	4,544	5,085
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	4,544	5,085
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	4,544	5,085
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,150	3,314
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,150	3,314
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,123	3,287
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	3,123	3,287
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Third party pricing vendor valuation technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	27
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	0	0
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	27	27
Other corporate | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, fixed maturities, fair value	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Chang

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Changes in Available-For-Sale Investments and Derivatives Classified as Level 3 (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		$ 20	$ 304	$ 189	$ 346
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		(14)	(93)	(38)	(78)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		6	(27)	(6)	(113)
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	(147)	(60)
Settlements		0	(3)	14	86
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		12	181	12	181
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		(15)	(93)	(39)	(78)
Fixed Maturities | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		214	266	223	369
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		6	(18)	(1)	(115)
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	0	0
Settlements		0	(3)	(2)	(9)
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		220	245	220	245
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Fixed Maturities | Public utilities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	0	0
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0	0
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Fixed Maturities | Sovereign and supranational
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	0	0
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0	0
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Fixed Maturities | Banks/financial institutions
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		25	25	26	23
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		1	0	0	2
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		26	25	26	25
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Fixed Maturities | Other corporate
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	0	0
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0	0
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Perpetual securities | Banks/financial institutions
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		0	0	149	52
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	(2)	8
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	(147)	(60)
Settlements		0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		3	3	3	3
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings		0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0	0
Purchases		0	0	0	0
Issuances		0	0	0	0
Sales		0	0	0	0
Settlements		0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3		0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period		3	3	3	3
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held		0	0	0	0
Derivatives | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	0	(1)	0	1
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings	[1]	0	1	0	(1)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Purchases	[1]	0	0	0	0
Issuances	[1]	0	0	0	0
Sales	[1]	0	0	0	0
Settlements	[1]	0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3	[1]	0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	[1]	0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period	[1]	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held	[1]	0	1	0	(1)
Derivatives | Foreign currency swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	(223)	11	(212)	(99)
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings	[1]	(13)	(93)	(38)	(79)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(1)	(9)	(3)	(8)
Purchases	[1]	0	0	0	0
Issuances	[1]	0	0	0	0
Sales	[1]	0	0	0	0
Settlements	[1]	0	0	16	95
Transfers into Level 3	[1]	0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	[1]	0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period	[1]	(237)	(91)	(237)	(91)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held	[1]	(14)	(93)	(39)	(79)
Derivatives | Credit default swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	1	0	0	(3)
Realized investment gains (losses) included in earnings	[1]	(1)	(1)	0	2
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	0	0	0	0
Purchases	[1]	0	0	0	0
Issuances	[1]	0	0	0	0
Sales	[1]	0	0	0	0
Settlements	[1]	0	0	0	0
Transfers into Level 3	[1]	0	0	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	[1]	0	0	0	0
Balance, end of period	[1]	0	(1)	0	(1)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) still held	[1]	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ 0	$ 2
[1]	Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Addit

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Va

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 67,403	$ 68,270
Asset derivatives		877	802
Assets, fair value		$ 71,982	$ 73,901
Length of Volatility of Japanese Yen to US Dollar Exchange Rate		10 years	10 years
Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 249	$ 401
Asset derivatives		106	106
Assets, fair value		355	507
Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		65,106	65,573
Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		246	249
Perpetual securities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,166	2,669
Perpetual securities | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	149
Equity securities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		131	28
Equity securities | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3	3
Equity securities | Net Asset Value Valuation Technique
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3	3
Equity securities | Net Asset Value Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 3	$ 3
Equity securities | Assets | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 1	$ 1
Equity securities | Assets | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		680	677
Equity securities | Assets | Weighted Average | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 7	$ 6
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 591	$ 602
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		220	223
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		220	223
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		220	223
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		6,261	6,598
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		26	26
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		26	84
Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		26	26
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		1,964	2,438
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	149
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities			149
Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities | Consensus Pricing Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities			149
Foreign currency swaps
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Asset derivatives		604	746
Foreign currency swaps | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Asset derivatives		106	106
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Asset derivatives		$ 4	$ 8
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Foreign Exchange Rates	[1]	20.16%	20.50%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Entity Credit Risk		0.15%	0.16%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Entity Credit Risk		1.03%	1.05%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Asset derivatives		$ 102	$ 98
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Foreign Exchange Rates	[1]	20.16%	20.50%
Dollar-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 37,194	$ 36,285
Dollar-denominated | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		230	216
Dollar-denominated | Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,645	3,710
Dollar-denominated | Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 157	$ 175
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.00%	2.28%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.52%	2.70%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.00%	2.28%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.52%	2.70%
Yen-denominated | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 27,912	$ 29,288
Yen-denominated | Mortgage- and asset-backed securities | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		361	386
Yen-denominated | Banks/financial institutions | Fixed Maturities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,616	2,888
Yen-denominated | Banks/financial institutions | Perpetual securities
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 1,807	$ 2,263
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	0.51%	0.53%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	1.36%	1.34%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	0.51%	0.53%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Assets | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	1.36%	1.34%
[1]	Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate
[2]	Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps
[3]	Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair 62

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liability derivatives		$ 384	$ 2,423
Liabilities, fair value disclosure		$ 384	$ 2,423
Length of Volatility of Japanese Yen to US Dollar Exchange Rate		10 years	10 years
Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liabilities, fair value disclosure		$ 343	$ 318
Foreign currency swaps
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liability derivatives		352	318
Foreign currency swaps | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liability derivatives		343	318
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liability derivatives		$ 183	$ 176
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Foreign Exchange Rates	[1]	20.16%	20.50%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Entity Credit Risk		0.15%	0.16%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Entity Credit Risk		1.03%	1.05%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liability derivatives		$ 142	$ 111
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Entity Credit Risk		0.67%	0.13%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Entity Credit Risk		2.51%	1.45%
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liability derivatives		$ 18	$ 31
Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Foreign Exchange Rates	[1]	20.16%	20.50%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.00%	2.28%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.52%	2.70%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.00%	2.28%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.52%	2.70%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.00%	2.28%
Dollar-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[2]	2.52%	2.70%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	0.51%	0.53%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), CDS Spreads and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	1.36%	1.34%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	0.51%	0.53%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and CDS Spread | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	1.36%	1.34%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	0.51%	0.53%
Yen-denominated | Fair Value, Unobservable Input, Interest Rates (USD), Interest Rates (JPY), and Foreign Exchange Rates | Foreign currency swaps | Liability | Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	[3]	1.36%	1.34%
[1]	Based on 10 year volatility of JPY/USD exchange rate
[2]	Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps
[3]	Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of our swaps

REINSURANCE - Additional Infor

REINSURANCE - Additional Information (Details) - Aflac Japan $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Closed Block- Tranche Three
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Coinsurance reinsurance ceded percentage	30.00%
Reinsurance assumed percentage	27.00%
Closed Block
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance deferred profit liability	$ 776
Reinsurance recoverable	$ 803

REINSURANCE - Effect of Reinsu

REINSURANCE - Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums and Benefits and Claims (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Direct premium income	$ 4,464	$ 4,918	$ 13,426	$ 14,820
Net premium income	4,380	4,841	13,176	14,583
Direct benefits and claims	3,000	3,425	9,037	10,075
Benefits and claims, net	2,927	3,355	8,816	9,868
All other
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded premiums	(10)	(10)	(28)	(30)
Assumed premiums earned	2	3	6	8
Ceded benefits and claims	8	(9)	12	(22)
Assumed benefits and claims	(12)	2	(29)	7
Aflac Japan
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Net premium income	2,980	3,534	9,036	10,672
Aflac Japan | Closed Block
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded premiums	(130)	(70)	(352)	(215)
Assumed premiums earned	54	0	124	0
Ceded benefits and claims	(119)	(63)	(320)	(192)
Assumed benefits and claims	$ 50	$ 0	$ 116	$ 0

NOTES PAYABLE - Additional Info

NOTES PAYABLE - Additional Information (Details) ¥ in Millions	1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015JPY (¥)	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015JPY (¥)	Apr. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)series	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015JPY (¥)	Sep. 01, 2015JPY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2015JPY (¥)series	Dec. 31, 2014JPY (¥)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Series of Senior Notes Issued Through a U.S. Public Debt Offering | series							2						2
Principal payments under debt obligations									$ 1,272,000,000	$ 335,000,000
3.45% senior notes due August 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.45%	3.45%											3.45%
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		$ 41,000,000	¥ 5,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount | ¥														¥ 5,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage														3.00%
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				$ 81,000,000	¥ 10,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount | ¥														¥ 10,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage														3.60%
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 1,000,000,000
2.40% senior notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 550,000,000						$ 550,000,000	$ 550,000,000	$ 550,000,000
Debt Instrument Effective Principal Amount After Cross Currency Swap | ¥													¥ 67,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	2.40%						2.40%	2.40%	2.40%		2.40%		2.40%
Debt Instrument, Term							5 years
Debt Instrument Effective Interest Rate Percentage After Interest Rate Swap							0.24%						0.24%
3.25% senior notes due March 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 450,000,000						$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Debt Instrument Effective Principal Amount After Cross Currency Swap | ¥													¥ 55,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.25%						3.25%	3.25%	3.25%		3.25%		3.25%
Debt Instrument, Term							10 years
Debt Instrument Effective Interest Rate Percentage After Interest Rate Swap							0.82%						0.82%
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						8.50%								8.50%
Extinguishment of debt, make-whole premium						$ 230,000,000			$ 230,000,000
Principal payments under debt obligations						$ 850,000,000
Notes Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, amount	$ 0							$ 0	0
50 billion yen line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | ¥												¥ 50,000
55 billion yen line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | ¥											¥ 55,000
Line of credit facility term	5 years
Line of credit facility, interest rate description								Borrowings bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a eurocurrency rate determined by reference to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1%, (2) the rate of interest for such day announced by Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as its prime rate and (3) the eurocurrency rate for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges between .79% and 1.275% for eurocurrency rate borrowings and 0.0% and .275% for base rate borrowings, depending on the Parent Company’s debt ratings as of the date of determination.
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding | ¥											¥ 0
$50 million dollar line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50,000,000							$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate description									Borrowings will bear interest at the rate quoted by the bank and agreed upon at the time of making such loan and will have a three-month maturity period.
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	0							0	$ 0
$100 million dollar line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000							100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate description									Borrowings will bear interest at the rate quoted by the bank and agreed upon at the time of making such loan and will have a three-month maturity period.
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	0							0	$ 0
Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, amount	$ 0							$ 0	$ 0
Lower Limit | 55 billion yen line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage								0.085%
Upper Limit | 55 billion yen line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage								0.225%

NOTES PAYABLE - Summary of Note

NOTES PAYABLE - Summary of Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		$ 5,009		$ 5,282
3.45% senior notes due August 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		0		300
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	[1]	652		653
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		0	[2]	850
2.40% senior notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		550		0
4.00% senior notes due February 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	[3]	350		350
3.625% senior notes due June 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		700		700
3.625% senior notes due November 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	[3]	749		749
3.25% senior notes due March 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		448	[3]	0
6.90% senior notes due December 2039
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	[3]	397		397
6.45% senior notes due August 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	[3]	448		448
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		500		500
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		67		66
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		132		131
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		0		83
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		0		41
Capitalized Lease Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		$ 16		$ 14
[1]	Principal amount plus an issuance premium that is being amortized over the life of the notes
[2]	Redeemed in April 2015
[3]	Principal amount net of an issuance discount that is being amortized over the life of the notes

NOTES PAYABLE - Summary of No67

NOTES PAYABLE - Summary of Notes Payable (Parenthetical) (Details) ¥ in Millions, $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015JPY (¥)	Aug. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014JPY (¥)
8.50% senior notes due May 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate				8.50%		8.50%
6.45% senior notes due August 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	6.45%	6.45%				6.45%
3.45% senior notes due August 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate			3.45%			3.45%
2.65% senior notes due February 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	2.65%	2.65%				2.65%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 400
4.00% senior notes due February 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	4.00%	4.00%				4.00%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 350
3.625% senior notes due June 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	3.625%	3.625%				3.625%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 700
3.25% senior notes due March 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	3.25%	3.25%			3.25%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 450				$ 450
6.90% senior notes due December 2039
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	6.90%	6.90%				6.90%
2.40% senior notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	2.40%	2.40%			2.40%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 550				$ 550
5.50% subordinated notes due September 2052
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	5.50%	5.50%				5.50%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 500
2.26% yen-denominated Uridashi notes due September 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	2.26%	2.26%				2.26%
Notes payable, principal amount | ¥		¥ 8,000				¥ 8,000
3.625% senior notes due November 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	3.625%	3.625%				3.625%
Notes payable, principal amount	$ 750
1.84% yen-denominated Samurai notes due July 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate	1.84%	1.84%				1.84%
Notes payable, principal amount | ¥		¥ 15,800				¥ 15,800
3.60% yen-denominated loan due July 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate						3.60%
Notes payable, principal amount | ¥						¥ 10,000
3.00% yen-denominated loan due August 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, interest rate						3.00%
Notes payable, principal amount | ¥						¥ 5,000
55 billion yen line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding | ¥		¥ 0
$50 million dollar line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	$ 0
$100 million dollar line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	$ 0

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reconcil

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Common Stock Issued [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	668,132	667,046
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted shares	1,377	921
Balance, end of period	669,509	667,967
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	225,687	207,633
Balance, end of period	241,942	217,468
Shares outstanding, end of period	427,567	450,499
Treasury Stock
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Stock Acquired In Open Market, Shares	17,421	11,070
Other purchases	241	132
Shares issued to AFL Stock Plan	(919)	(930)
Exercise of stock options	(375)	(316)
Other dispositions	(113)	(121)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Anti-Dil

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Anti-Dilutive Share-Based Awards Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive share-based awards	2,126	1,486	1,798	903

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Addition

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common stock, share repurchase, dollar amount	$ 1,081	$ 698
Remaining common stock available for purchase under share repurchase authorizations	52.1
Share Repurchase Program
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Common stock, share repurchase	17.4	11.1
Common stock, share repurchase, dollar amount	$ 1,100	$ 690
Share Repurchase Authorization 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	40

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Changes

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	$ 507	$ 1,606	$ 1,979	$ (563)
Other comprehensive income loss before reclassifications net of tax	[1]	(69)	(89)	(1,465)	2,076
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax	[1]	90	(17)	14	(13)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	[1]	21	(106)	(1,451)	2,063
Balance, end of period	[1]	528	1,500	528	1,500
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	(2,725)	(1,216)	(2,541)	(1,505)
Other comprehensive income loss before reclassifications net of tax	[1]	192	(589)	8	(300)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax	[1]	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	[1]	192	(589)	8	(300)
Balance, end of period	[1]	(2,533)	(1,805)	(2,533)	(1,805)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	3,384	2,915	4,672	1,035
Other comprehensive income loss before reclassifications net of tax	[1]	(260)	505	(1,471)	2,379
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax	[1]	90	(18)	13	(12)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	[1]	(170)	487	(1,458)	2,367
Balance, end of period	[1]	3,214	3,402	3,214	3,402
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	(27)	(11)	(26)	(12)
Other comprehensive income loss before reclassifications net of tax	[1]	(1)	(6)	(2)	(5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax	[1]	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	[1]	(1)	(6)	(2)	(5)
Balance, end of period	[1]	(28)	(17)	(28)	(17)
Pension liability adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	[1]	(125)	(82)	(126)	(81)
Other comprehensive income loss before reclassifications net of tax	[1]	0	1	0	2
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax	[1]	0	1	1	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	[1]	0	2	1	1
Balance, end of period	[1]	$ (125)	$ (80)	$ (125)	$ (80)
[1]	All amounts in the table above are net of tax.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reclassi

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Sales and redemptions		$ 26	$ 33	$ 186	$ 171
Other than temporary impairment losses realized	[1]	(137)	0	(143)	(31)
Total before tax		864	1,074	2,752	3,416
Income tax (expense) or benefit		(297)	(368)	(949)	(1,168)
Net of tax		$ 567	$ 706	$ 1,803	$ 2,248
The expected U.S. tax rate		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net of tax		$ (90)	$ 17	$ (14)	$ 13
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Sales and redemptions		(1)	27	123	21
Other than temporary impairment losses realized		(137)	0	(143)	(3)
Total before tax		(138)	27	(20)	18
Income tax (expense) or benefit	[2]	48	(9)	7	(6)
Net of tax		(90)	18	(13)	12
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension liability adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acquisition and operating expenses, actuarial gains (losses)	[3]	(4)	(5)	(13)	(11)
Acquisition and operating expenses, prior service (cost) credit	[3]	4	4	12	13
Income tax (expense) or benefit	[2]	0	0	0	(1)
Net of tax		$ 0	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ 1
[1]	Includes $6 and $0 for the three-month periods and $12 and $31 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from change in intent to sell securities; and $131 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, for credit-related impairment
[2]	Based on 35% tax rate
[3]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 10 for additional details).

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Stoc

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Options Outstanding - Stock Option Shares	8,303
Options Outstanding - Weighted-Average Remaining Term (Yrs)	4 years 6 months 30 days
Options Outstanding - Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 71
Options Outstanding - Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share | $ / shares	$ 50.82
Options Exercisable - Stock Option Shares	6,374
Options Exercisable - Weighted-Average Remaining Term (Yrs.)	3 years 5 months 30 days
Options Exercisable - Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 67
Options Exercisable - Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share | $ / shares	$ 48.35

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Addi

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)planshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of long-term incentive compensation plans | plan	2
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 53	$ 30
Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised	$ 24	$ 14
Stock Option Plan Effective until February 2007
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option plan, term (in years)	10 years
Second Stock Option Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option plan, term (in years)	10 years
Stock option plan, vesting period	3 years
Shares available for future grants under the long-term incentive plan | shares	10,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, restricted stock awards	$ 50
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, restricted stock awards, weighted-average period (in years)	1 year 3 months 30 days
Performance based Vesting Condition | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, restricted stock awards	$ 20
Total compensation cost not yet recognized, restricted stock awards, shares | shares	831

BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Info

BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Amount of years active employees have left to meet rule of 80 in order to be eligible for postretirement medical benefits			5 years
Amount of years left to meet 15 year service requirement for active employees age 55 or older to be eligible for postretirement medical benefits			5 years
Lower Limit
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Health care plan, retirement age for eligibility, (in years)			55 years
Health care plan, number of years of service for eligibility			15 years
Health care plan, retirement age and years of service combined years for eligibility (rule of 80)			80 years
Japanese Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer contributions		$ 15
U.S. Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Employer contributions		$ 10
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	$ (51)
Plan amendment remaining amortization period	3 years
Discount rate - benefit obligation	4.75%

BENEFIT PLANS - Net Periodic (B

BENEFIT PLANS - Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost Included in Acquisition and Operating Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Japanese Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 4	$ 3	$ 11	$ 11
Interest cost	1	1	4	5
Expected return on plan assets	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0	1	1	1
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0	0	0	0
Net periodic (benefit) cost	4	4	13	14
U.S. Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	5	5	17	15
Interest cost	7	(4)	23	11
Expected return on plan assets	(5)	(5)	(16)	(15)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	4	3	11	8
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0	0	0	0
Net periodic (benefit) cost	11	(1)	35	19
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	1	0	1	1
Interest cost	0	0	1	1
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0	1	1	2
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(4)	(4)	(12)	(13)
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$ (3)	$ (3)	$ (9)	$ (9)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI77

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Additional Information (Details) - Mainframe and Server Computer Operations and Support [Member] $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015JPY (¥)
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Outsourcing agreement, remaining term	5 years 3 months	5 years 3 months
Outsourcing agreement, remaining aggregate cost	$ 316	¥ 37.9