Target maturity funds EBP, Target Maturity Funds [Member] EBP, Target Maturity Funds Foreign blend funds EBP, Foreign Blend Funds [Member] EBP, Foreign Blend Funds Entity tax identification number Entity Tax Identification Number Rollovers EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Rollover Maximum Maximum [Member] Changes in deemed loan activity EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Deemed Distribution Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] Mutual funds Mutual Fund [Member] Requisite service period EBP, Requisite Service Period EBP, Requisite Service Period Common stock sold, price EBP, Investment Sold, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Selling Price EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] Loan and qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) fees are paid from participants’ accounts EBP, Expense, Amount Paid By Participant EBP, Expense, Amount Paid By Participant Pretax, maximum annual compensation to total compensation, percentage EBP, Participant Contribution, Pretax, Maximum Annual Compensation to Total Compensation, Percentage Net assets available for benefits at: EBP, Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] EBP, Net Asset Available for Benefit Participant contribution, automatic deferral rate, annual increase EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Annual Increase In Deferral Rate EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Annual Increase In Deferral Rate Maximum borrowing, amount EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, Amount Investments, at Fair Value EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Text Block] Minimum borrowing, amount EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Minimum Borrowing, Amount EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Abstract] Accrued participant expenses EBP, Accrued Expense Total investments EBP, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair Value Notes receivable from participants, number of loans EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Number Of Participant Loans EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Number Of Participant Loans Money market funds Money Market Funds [Member] General Loan EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, General Loan [Member] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, General Loan Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Schedule of Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table Text Block] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Abstract] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant [Domain] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant [Domain] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant [Domain] Total assets EBP, Asset Assets: EBP, Asset [Abstract] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Additions to (reductions from) net assets attributed to: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase [Abstract] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] Benefit EBP, Payment to Participant [Policy Text Block] Total liabilities EBP, Liability Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Deemed loan activity Notes receivable from participants, deemed distribution EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Deemed Distribution Basis of Accounting EBP, Basis of Accounting [Policy Text Block] Non-Participant Directed Assets EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Text Block] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] EBP 001 EBP 001 [Member] EBP 001 Investment, number of shares (in shares) EBP, Investment, Number of Shares EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Line Items] EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Line Items] EBP, Description of Plan and Accounting Change [Abstract] Receivables: EBP, Receivable [Abstract] Schedule of Investments at Fair Value EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table Text Block] EBP, Contribution, Participating Employer [Domain] EBP, Contribution, Participating Employer [Domain] Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Fair Value Measurements EBP, Fair Value Measurements [Policy Text Block] EBP, Fair Value Measurements Use of Estimates EBP, Use of Estimate [Policy Text Block] Short-term investments EBP, Short-Term Investments [Member] EBP, Short-Term Investments Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Text Block] Cover [Abstract] EBP, Contribution, Participating Employer [Axis] EBP, Contribution, Participating Employer [Axis] EBP, Risk and Uncertainty EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Text Block] Employer Employer contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Employer Contribution, Cash Minimum Minimum [Member] Requisite service period, number of hours for temporary employees EBP, Requisite Service Period For Temporary Employees, Number Of Hours EBP, Requisite Service Period For Temporary Employees, Number Of Hours Accrued dividends and interest EBP, Investment Income, Receivable Blend funds EBP, Blend Funds [Member] EBP, Blend Funds EBP, Employer Matching Contribution, Scenario One EBP, Employer Matching Contribution, Scenario One [Member] EBP, Employer Matching Contribution, Scenario One Interest income from notes receivable from participants EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest Income on Note Receivable from Participant Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Total contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution Participants EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Excluding Rollover Net appreciation in the fair value of investments EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment Interest and dividends EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest and Dividend Income on Investment EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] Plan number EBP, Plan Number EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Line Items] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Line Items] Description of the Plan EBP, Description of Plan [Text Block] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] Balanced funds Balanced Funds [Member] Employer supplemental contributions, percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Supplemental Contributions, Percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Supplemental Contributions, Percentage Common stock of Genworth Financial, Inc. EBP, Employer, Common Stock [Member] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Abstract] EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Table] EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Table] EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] Schedule of Nonparticipant-Directed Investment EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed Investment [Table Text Block] Note receivable from participant, allowance for credit loss EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Allowance for Credit Loss Investment income: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment [Abstract] Investment, Identifier [Axis] Investment, Identifier [Axis] Fees paid by the participants to GLAIC EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Administrative Expense Asset held for investment, current value EBP, Asset Held for Investment Maximum borrowing term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, Maximum Borrowing Term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, Maximum Borrowing Term Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Bond funds EBP, Common Collective Trust, Bond Funds [Member] EBP, Common Collective Trust, Bond Funds Changes in net assets available for benefits: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Bond funds EBP, Bond Funds [Member] EBP, Bond Funds EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Line Items] EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Line Items] EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Table] EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Table] Participant compensation matched, percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Participant Compensation Matched, Percentage EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Transfer from common trust fund into short-term investment, required holding period EBP, Investment, Transfer From Common Trust Fund Into Short-Term Investment, Required Holding Period EBP, Investment, Transfer From Common Trust Fund Into Short-Term Investment, Required Holding Period Common stock sold (in shares) EBP, Investment, Sold, Number of Shares Net gain per Form 5500 EBP, Form 5500 Caption, Net Income (Loss) EBP, Tax Status [Table] EBP, Tax Status [Table] Net increase in net assets Net increase in net assets available for plan benefits EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) Related-Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Text Block] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy, Accounting Standard Update, and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Total receivables EBP, Receivable Employer contribution receivable Employer supplemental contributions receivable EBP, Employer Contribution, Receivable Participant contribution, automatic deferral rate EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Deferral Rate EBP, Note Receivable From Participant [Axis] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant [Axis] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant Investments, at fair value: EBP, Investment, Fair Value [Abstract] Benefits paid to participants EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Payment to Participant Current value EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Current Value Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] EBP, Tax Status [Abstract] Group variable annuity EBP, Group Variable Annuity [Member] EBP, Variable Annuity Genworth Common Stock Fund EBP, Employer, Common Stock Fund [Member] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] Cash EBP, Noninterest-Bearing Cash EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Line Items] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Line Items] Expenses EBP, Expense [Policy Text Block] Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Text Block] Notes receivable from participants, current value after deemed distributions EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, after Deemed Distribution Investment Valuation and Income Recognition EBP, Investment [Policy Text Block] Participant contribution receivable EBP, Participant Contribution, Receivable Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 [Member] Document Type Document Type Requisite service period, number of years for temporary employees EBP, Requisite Service Period For Temporary Employees, Number Of Years EBP, Requisite Service Period For Temporary Employees, Number Of Years Plan Termination EBP, Plan Termination [Text Block] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Notes receivable from participants, interest rate EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, Interest Rate Basis spread on variable rate EBP, Participant Loan, Basis Spread On Variable Rate EBP, Participant Loan, Basis Spread On Variable Rate EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Abstract] Common/collective trust funds Common Collective Trust [Member] EBP, Tax Status [Line Items] EBP, Tax Status [Line Items] EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Abstract] Forfeitures used to reduce employer contributions EBP, Forfeited Nonvested Account, Decrease from Employer Contribution Stable value funds EBP, Stable Value Funds [Member] EBP, Stable Value Funds Notes receivable from participants EBP, Note Receivable from Participant Notes receivable from participants, cost EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, Cost EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, Cost Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies EBP, Summary of Accounting Policy [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Liabilities: EBP, Liability [Abstract] Common stock, cost Cost EBP, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Cost Federal Income Tax Status EBP, Tax Status [Text Block] Maximum borrowing, to total account, percentage EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, to Total Account, Percentage Asset held for investment, cost EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Cost EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Cost EBP, Participant-Directed and Nonparticipant-Directed Status [Domain] EBP, Participant-Directed and Nonparticipant-Directed Status [Domain] EBP, Participant-Directed and Nonparticipant-Directed Status [Axis] EBP, Participant-Directed and Nonparticipant-Directed Status [Axis] Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed EBP, Nonparticipant-Directed [Member] Notes Receivable from Participants EBP, Note Receivable from Participant [Policy Text Block] Total investment income EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment Supplemental contributions, requisite service period EBP, Supplemental Contributions, Requisite Service Period EBP, Supplemental Contributions, Requisite Service Period EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Net assets available for benefits Beginning of the year End of the year Net assets available for benefits EBP, Net Asset Available for Benefit Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Contributions: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution [Abstract] Forfeitures available to reduce future employer contributions EBP, Forfeited Nonvested Account Matching percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Matching Percentage Net assets available for plan benefits per Form 5500 EBP, Form 5500 Caption, Net Assets Primary Residence Loan EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, Primary Residence Loan [Member] EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, Primary Residence Loan EBP, Employer Matching Contribution, Scenario Two EBP, Employer Matching Contribution, Scenario Two [Member] EBP, Employer Matching Contribution, Scenario Two EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items]