Document and Entity Information - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type		10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020
Amendment Flag		false
Document Quarterly Report		true
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus		Q2
Document Transition Report		false
Entity File Number		001-16707
Entity Registrant Name		Prudential Financial, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key		0001137774
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code		NJ
Entity Tax Identification Number		22-3703799
Entity Address, Address Line One		751 Broad Street
Entity Address, City or Town		Newark
Entity Address, State or Province		NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code		07102
City Area Code		973
Local Phone Number		802-6000
Entity Current Reporting Status		Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current		Yes
Entity Filer Category		Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business		false
Entity Emerging Growth Company		false
Entity Shell Company		false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			395
Common Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security		Common Stock, Par Value $.01
Trading Symbol		PRU
Security Exchange Name		NYSE
5.75% Junior Subordinated Note
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security		5.75% Junior Subordinated Notes
Trading Symbol		PJH
Security Exchange Name		NYSE
5.70% Junior Subordinated Notes
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security		5.70% Junior Subordinated Notes
Trading Symbol		PRH
Security Exchange Name		NYSE
5.625% Junior Subordinated Notes
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security		5.625% Junior Subordinated Notes
Trading Symbol		PRS
Security Exchange Name		NYSE