GMDB, GMIB, GIB, GWBL AND OTHER FEATURES AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 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	$ 1,290	$ 1,290	$ 1,051
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	14,195	14,195
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	90,512	90,512	86,890
Net amount at risk, gross	18,475	18,475
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 8,466	$ 8,466
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	55 years 1 month 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		17.70%
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	$ 13,799	$ 13,799
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	43,056	43,056
Net amount at risk, gross	190	190
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 190	$ 190
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	51 years 3 months 18 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		9.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Ratchet
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 115	$ 115
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	9,232	9,232
Net amount at risk, gross	79	79
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 55	$ 55
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	66 years 1 month 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		38.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 68	$ 68
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	3,441	3,441
Net amount at risk, gross	2,127	2,127
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,452	$ 1,452
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	72 years 7 months 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		61.70%
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	$ 213	$ 213
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	34,783	34,783
Net amount at risk, gross	16,079	16,079
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 6,769	$ 6,769
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	67 years 10 months 24 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		44.70%
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	$ 337	$ 337
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	59,945	59,945	$ 57,848
Net amount at risk, gross	7,870	7,870
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,020	$ 2,020
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 1 month 6 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	$ 28	$ 28
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	19,636	19,636
Net amount at risk, gross	1,026	1,026
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 318	$ 318
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 8 months 12 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	$ 309	$ 309
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	40,309	40,309
Net amount at risk, gross	6,844	6,844
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,702	$ 1,702
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year
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%	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	17.20%	17.20%
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	50.50%	50.50%
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	57.10%	57.10%