Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Common Stock Held In Treasury	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Prudential Financial, Inc. Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 41,923	$ 6	$ 24,482	$ 18,931	$ (13,814)	$ 12,285	$ 41,890	$ 33
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting changes	(19)			11			11	(30)
Common Stock acquired	(1,375)				(1,375)		(1,375)
Class B Stock repurchase adjustment	(119)			(119)			(119)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	9							9
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(30)							(30)
Consolidations (deconsolidations) of noncontrolling interests	(471)							(471)
Stock-based compensation programs	238		38		200		238
Dividends declared on Common Stock	(938)			(938)			(938)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	4,126			4,084			4,084	42
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	12,688					12,640	12,640	48
Comprehensive income (loss)	16,814						16,724	90
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	56,974	6	24,520	21,969	(14,989)	24,925	56,431	543
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	46,088	6	24,606	21,946	(15,316)	14,621	45,863	225
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting changes	0		5	(5)			0
Common Stock acquired	(937)				(937)		(937)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	7							7
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(31)							(31)
Consolidations (deconsolidations) of noncontrolling interests	(1)							(1)
Stock-based compensation programs	351		110		241		351
Dividends declared on Common Stock	(979)			(979)			(979)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	4,109			4,098			4,098	11
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,958					1,977	1,977	(19)
Comprehensive income (loss)	6,067						6,075	(8)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 50,565	$ 6	$ 24,721	$ 25,060	$ (16,012)	$ 16,598	$ 50,373	$ 192