Discontinued Operations - Held for Sale Income Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	May 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Benefits and expenses:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ 28	$ 429	$ (2,616)	$ 134	$ 64	$ (162)		$ 457	$ (2,580)	$ (337)
VIAC and DSL | Held for sale
Revenues:
Net investment income									$ 510		1,266	1,288
Fee income									295		801	889
Premiums									(50)		190	720
Total net realized capital gains (losses)									(345)		(1,234)	(900)
Other revenue									10		19	19
Total revenues									420		1,042	2,016
Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders									442		978	2,199
Operating expenses									(14)		250	283
Net amortization of Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired									49		127	136
Interest expense									10		22	22
Total benefits and expenses									487		1,377	2,640
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes									(67)		(335)	(624)
Income tax expense (benefit)									(19)		(178)	(287)
Amount of Adjustment to Prior Period Gain (Loss) on Disposal, Net of Tax									505	505
Estimated loss on sale, net of Tax										$ (1,918)	(2,423)	0
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations									$ 457		$ (2,580)	$ (337)