INVESTMENT OPERATIONS - Summary of Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) for All Other Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturities	$ 30	$ 39
Equity securities	(8)	(43)
Modco trading portfolios	(137)	(124)
Change in net expected credit losses - fixed maturities	5	(52)
Commercial mortgage loans	56	(95)
Other investments	0	(1)
Realized gains (losses) - investments	(54)	(276)
Realized gains (losses) - derivatives	181	(25)
Realized gains (losses)	$ 127	$ (301)

Realized Investment Gains (Losses), All Investments

No definition available.

Name:	plico_RealizedInvestmentGainsLossesAllInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the total realized gain (loss) included in earnings during the period as a result of investments other than derivative financial instruments, net of the amount recognized in earnings for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of investments in debt and equity securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plico_RealizedInvestmentGainsLossesAllOtherInvestmentsNetOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairments
Namespace Prefix:	plico_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for expected credit loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), from change in present value of expected cash flows.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121558606&loc=SL82922868-210454

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121582814&loc=SL82922897-210455

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleChangeInPresentValueExpenseReversal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized gain (loss) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (trading).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(7)(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unrealized and realized gain (loss) on investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 321
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120269885&loc=SL75117546-209714

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121590274&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The gains (losses) included in earnings that represent the difference between the sale price and the carrying value of loans made to finance real estate acquisitions. This element refers to the gain (loss) and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 310
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121581245&loc=d3e21310-158488

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 310
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121581245&loc=d3e21286-158488

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 310
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117337389&loc=d3e21493-158490

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfMortgageLoans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings for investments classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized gain (loss) on investment in marketable security, including other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration