v3.26.1
Deferred acquisition costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     $ 10,008  
Amortization expense $ (2,632) $ (2,415) (5,228) $ (4,728)
Balance – end of Period 10,744 9,437 10,744 9,437
Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Amortization expense (352) (319) (714) (629)
Overseas General Insurance [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Amortization expense (1,060) (913) (2,069) (1,750)
Short-Duration Insurance, Other        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – end of Period 4,375 4,085 4,375 4,085
Long-Duration Insurance, Other        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – end of Period 6,369 5,352 6,369 5,352
Long-Duration Insurance, Other | Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     5,137 4,066
Capitalizations     892 796
Amortization expense     (319) (265)
Other (including foreign exchange)     (66) 109
Balance – end of Period 5,644 4,706 5,644 4,706
Long-Duration Insurance, Other | Overseas General Insurance [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – end of Period 725 646 725 646
Term Life Insurance | Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     567 469
Capitalizations     124 115
Amortization expense     (81) (73)
Other (including foreign exchange)     0 13
Balance – end of Period 610 524 610 524
Universal Life | Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     746 722
Capitalizations     52 69
Amortization expense     (43) (41)
Other (including foreign exchange)     (8) 10
Balance – end of Period 747 760 747 760
Whole Life Insurance | Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     1,296 870
Capitalizations     243 224
Amortization expense     (37) (25)
Other (including foreign exchange)     (15) 23
Balance – end of Period 1,487 1,092 1,487 1,092
Accident and Health Insurance Product Line [Member] | Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     2,136 1,681
Capitalizations     383 327
Amortization expense     (141) (111)
Other (including foreign exchange)     (44) 51
Balance – end of Period 2,334 1,948 2,334 1,948
Insurance, Other | Segment Life [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost [Line Items]        
Balance – beginning of period     392 324
Capitalizations     90 61
Amortization expense     (17) (15)
Other (including foreign exchange)     1 12
Balance – end of Period $ 466 $ 382 $ 466 $ 382