Equity (Balance of and Changes in Each Component of "AOCI Attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.") (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Balance	$ 10,214		$ 5,245
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Balance	1,107		866		674
Change in component during period	(179)		241		343
Impact of adoption of accounting changes					(151)	[1]
Balance	928		1,107		866
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Balance	5,805	[2]	3,245	[2]	511	[2]
Change in component during period	5,597	[2]	2,560	[2]	2,673	[2]
Impact of adoption of accounting changes					61	[1],[2]
Balance	11,402	[2]	5,805	[2]	3,245	[2]
Pension and Postretirement Unrecognized Net Periodic Benefit (Cost) [Member]
Balance	(1,667)		(1,461)		(1,628)
Change in component during period	(449)		(206)		311
Impact of adoption of accounting changes					(144)	[1]
Balance	(2,116)		(1,667)		(1,461)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) [Member]
Balance	5,245		2,650		(443)
Change in component during period	4,969		2,595		3,327
Impact of adoption of accounting changes					(234)	[1]
Balance	$ 10,214		$ 5,245		$ 2,650

[1] See Note 2 for additional information on changes in accounting for deferred acquisition costs and pension plans.

[2] Includes cash flow hedges. See Note 21 for information on cash flow hedges. See Note 4 for additional information regarding unrealized investment gains (losses), including the split between amounts related to fixed maturity securities on which an other-than-temporary impairment loss has been recognized, and all other unrealized investment gains (losses).