GMDB, GMIB, GIB, GWBL AND OTHER FEATURES AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
SCS, SIO, MSO, IUL, GWBL and other guaranteed benefits related liability	$ 1,204	$ 1,051
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	14,128
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	89,313	86,890
Net amount at risk, gross	18,611
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 8,595
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	55 years 1 month 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	17.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Return of Premium
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 13,723
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	42,157
Net amount at risk, gross	201
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 201
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	51 years 3 months 18 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	9.40%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Ratchet
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 118
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	9,135
Net amount at risk, gross	91
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 63
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	66 years
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	37.70%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 71
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	3,452
Net amount at risk, gross	2,183
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,498
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	72 years 6 months
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	61.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 216
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	34,569
Net amount at risk, gross	16,136
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 6,833
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	67 years 8 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	43.90%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 345
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	59,293	$ 57,848
Net amount at risk, gross	7,560
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,946
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 2 months 12 days
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 30
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	18,996
Net amount at risk, gross	1,034
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 319
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 7 months 6 days
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 315
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	40,297
Net amount at risk, gross	6,526
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,627
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 1 month 6 days
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
Non Affiliated Entity [Member] | Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	3.70%
Non Affiliated Entity [Member] | Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	17.70%
Affiliates | Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	50.10%
Affiliates | Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	56.60%