Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Closed Block Reinsurance Percentage	83.00%
Percentage Of Reinsurance Recoverable From Major Reinsurance Companies	58.00%

Percent of Closed Block reinsurance with unaffiliated third parties through various modified coinsuance arrangements

No definition available.

Name:	pru_ClosedBlockReinsurancePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant