Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
REVENUES
Premiums Earned Net	$ 6,644	$ 6,141	$ 18,580	$ 20,147
Insurance Commissions And Fees	1,496	1,257	4,517	3,988
Net investment income	3,841	3,650	11,433	10,999
Asset management and service fees	949	858	2,781	2,558
Other income	(625)	1,514	177	(2,313)
Realized investment gains (losses), net:
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(2)	(359)	(113)	(847)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to Other Comprehensive Income	(3)	316	66	701
Other realized investment gains (losses), net	80	(2,067)	939	(3,711)
Total realized investment gains (losses), net	75	(2,110)	892	(3,857)
Total revenues	12,380	11,310	38,380	31,522
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders' benefits	7,334	6,237	20,186	20,480
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances	882	759	3,075	2,203
Dividends to policyholders	745	582	2,056	1,587
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	346	(452)	1,265	(14)
General and administrative expenses	2,789	2,658	8,289	8,068
Total benefits and expenses	12,096	9,784	34,871	32,324
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES	284	1,526	3,509	(802)
IncomeTaxExpense(Benefit)
Total income tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations before equity in earnings of operating joint ventures	(234)	497	643	(605)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES	518	1,029	2,866	(197)
Equity in earnings of operating joint ventures, net of taxes	5	3	11	54
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	523	1,032	2,877	(143)
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	8	8	11
NET INCOME	523	1,040	2,885	(132)
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	11	13	45	75
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC	$ 512	$ 1,027	$ 2,840	$ (207)
Class B Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. per share of Class B Stock	$ 25.00	$ 29.50	$ 54.50	$ 36.00
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net income attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. per share of Class B Stock	$ 25.00	$ 29.50	$ 54.50	$ 36.00
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 2.41	$ 2.41	$ 7.22	$ 7.22
Common Stock [Member]
Basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. per share of Common Stock	$ 1.00	$ 2.06	$ 5.87	$ (0.64)
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.02	$ 0.03
Net income attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. per share of Common Stock	$ 1.00	$ 2.07	$ 5.89	$ (0.61)
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. per share of Common Stock	$ 0.99	$ 2.02	$ 5.79	$ (0.64)
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.03
Net income attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. per share of Common Stock	$ 0.99	$ 2.04	$ 5.80	$ (0.61)
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.53	$ 0.40	$ 1.59	$ 1.20