CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Parent	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2014					$ 7,219
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 648
End of year at Dec. 31, 2015	15,552	$ 12,493			6,955
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	190
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(236)					$ (219)
End of year at Dec. 31, 2016	14,528	11,432		$ 5,339	6,095	(4)	$ 3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning and end of period			$ 2
Impact of adoption of revenue recognition standard ASC 606					0		0
Net earnings (loss)	(201)
Other comprehensive income (loss)						141
End of year at Mar. 31, 2017	14,421				5,894
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016	14,528	11,432		5,339	6,095	(4)	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	1,307				1,307
Other comprehensive income (loss)	422					435
End of year at Jun. 30, 2017	16,180	13,196
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016	14,528	11,432		5,339	6,095	(4)	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other changes				22			(14)
Net earnings (loss)	1,328
Stockholder dividends					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	354					335	19
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(96)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							311
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(347)
End of year at Sep. 30, 2017	16,086	13,117		5,361	7,423	331	2,969
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016	14,528	11,432		5,339	6,095	(4)	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	2,843
Other comprehensive income (loss)	620					602
End of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,492	16,397		6,859	8,938	598	3,095
Beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2017	14,421				5,894
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	1,508
End of year at Jun. 30, 2017	16,180	13,196
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	21
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(68)					(100)
End of year at Sep. 30, 2017	16,086	13,117		5,361	7,423	331	2,969
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning and end of period			2
Common stock, at par value, beginning and end of period	2		2
Impact of adoption of revenue recognition standard ASC 606					8		25
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,492	16,397		6,859	8,938	598	3,095
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(263)
End of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,492	15,404			8,683
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,492	16,397		6,859	8,938	598	3,095
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(2,347)
End of year at Jun. 30, 2018	16,946	13,907			6,599
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,492	16,397		6,859	8,938	598	3,095
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other changes				912			7
Net earnings (loss)	(2,858)
Stockholder dividends					(1,100)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,475)					(1,465)	(10)
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(59)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							418
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(468)
End of year at Sep. 30, 2018	14,902	11,894		7,771	4,988	(867)	3,008
Beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,492	15,404			8,683
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(2,084)
End of year at Jun. 30, 2018	16,946	13,907			6,599
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(511)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(406)					(403)
End of year at Sep. 30, 2018	14,902	$ 11,894		$ 7,771	$ 4,988	$ (867)	$ 3,008
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning and end of period	$ 2		$ 2