Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Gains-losses for the period (realized and unrealized) arising from separate account assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3), which are included in earnings and reported on the income statement line called interest credited to policyholders' account balances.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsInInterestCreditedToPolicyholdersBalancesLine
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Unrealized gains-losses for the period arising from assets and liabilities still held at the end of the period that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3), which are included in earnings on the income statement line called interest credited to policyholders' account balances.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainLossStillHeldIncludedInEarningsInInterestCreditedToPolicyholdersBalancesLine
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset And Liabilities Unrealized Gains Losses Still Held Included In Earnings [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetAndLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainsLossesStillHeldIncludedInEarningsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Foreign Currency Translation

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetForeignCurrencyTranslation
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Gains-losses for the period (realized and unrealized) arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3), which are included in earnings and reported on the income statement line called realized investment gains (losses), net.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsInRealizedInvestmentGainLossLine
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liabilities Gain Loss Included In Earnings [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilitiesGainLossIncludedInEarningsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis Asset Other

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetOther
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Unrealized gains-losses for the period arising from assets still held at the end of the period that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3), which are included in earnings on the income statement line called realized investment gains-losses, net.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetUnrealizedGainLossStillHeldIncludedInEarningsInRealizedInvestmentGainLossLine
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Liabilities Unrealized Gain Loss Still Held Included In Earnings In Realized Investment Gain Loss Line

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainLossStillHeldIncludedInEarningsInRealizedInvestmentGainLossLine
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Impact of foreign currency translation on the change in level 3 liabilities identified as part of the reconciliation of liabilities with unobservable inputs.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityForeignCurrencyTranslation
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Impact of gain or loss that is included in earnings on the change in level 3 liabilities identified as part of the reconciliation of liabilities with unobservable inputs.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarningsInRealizedInvestmentGainLossLine
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Other changes in level 3 liabilities identified as part of the reconciliation of liabilities with unobservable inputs.

No definition available.

Name:	pru_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityOther
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of unrealized (holding) gain (loss) which is included in the statement of income (or changes in net assets) related to those assets still held at the reporting date for which fair value is measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of transfers of financial instrument classified as a liability into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of transfers of financial instrument classified as a liability out of level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in the income statement for financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of issuances of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetIssues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of purchases of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of sale of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of settlement of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of transfer of financial instrument classified as an asset into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of transfers of financial instrument classified as an asset out of level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fair value of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of gain (loss) recognized on the income statement for financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of issuances of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityIssues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of purchases of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of sales of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of settlements of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Fair value of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_AssetManagementIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=pru_NotesIssuedByConsolidatedVIEMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=us-gaap_TradingAccountAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=pru_OtherActivityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=pru_CommercialMortgageLoansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=pru_SeparateAccountsAssetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	pru_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByPrimaryGroupTypeAxis=pru_FuturePolicyBenefitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: