Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Advances from FHLB	$ 701	$ 573
COLI asset value	359
Value of guarantees on COLI	174
Investments
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Investment commitment	3,036	2,358
Athene Global Funding | Senior notes
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	10,000
Athene Global Funding | Funding Agreements
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Interest sensitive contract liabilities	2,996	$ 2,996
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Income tax examination, estimate of possible loss	120
Tax Year 2008 | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Proposed disallowance of income tax deduction	191
Tax Year 2009 | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Proposed disallowance of income tax deduction	154
Proposed decrease in net operating loss	16
Tax Year 2010 | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Proposed disallowance of income tax deduction	76
Proposed decrease in net operating loss	16
Tax Year 2011 | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Proposed disallowance of income tax deduction	16
Proposed decrease in net operating loss	15
Tax Year 2012 | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Proposed increase in income tax deductions	12
Proposed decrease in net operating loss	12
Tax Year 2011 and 2012 | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Proposed Increase to Taxable Income	16
Caldera [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 1,500