CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ (2,419,000,000)	$ 1,681,000,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances		(754,000,000)	(681,000,000)
Policy charges and fee income		(2,644,000,000)	(2,516,000,000)
(Income) loss related to derivative instruments		3,106,000,000	(1,048,000,000)
Investment (gains) losses, net		(73,000,000)	9,000,000
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities		206,000,000	(188,000,000)
Amortization of deferred compensation		13,000,000	27,000,000
Amortization of deferred sales commission		17,000,000	25,000,000
Other depreciation and amortization		(60,000,000)	(67,000,000)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset		1,884,000,000	111,000,000
Distribution from joint ventures and limited partnerships		63,000,000	94,000,000
Changes in:
Net broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables		414,000,000	(56,000,000)
Reinsurance recoverable		20,000,000	(361,000,000)
Segregated cash and securities, net		(438,000,000)	157,000,000
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(129,000,000)	42,000,000
Future policy benefits		(58,000,000)	1,146,000,000
Current and deferred income taxes		(264,000,000)	640,000,000
Other, net		123,000,000	617,000,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		1,614,000,000	994,000,000
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale		5,942,000,000	3,873,000,000
Mortgage loans on real estate		375,000,000	695,000,000
Trading account securities		6,913,000,000	6,565,000,000
Other		344,000,000	58,000,000
Payment for the purchase/origination of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale		(6,422,000,000)	(3,721,000,000)
Mortgage loans on real estate		(1,485,000,000)	(1,534,000,000)
Trading account securities		(8,103,000,000)	(9,307,000,000)
Other		(146,000,000)	(207,000,000)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		0	(133,000,000)
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments		(584,000,000)	(929,000,000)
Increase in loans to affiliates		(1,100,000,000)	0
Decrease in loans to affiliates		700,000,000	0
Change in short-term investments		350,000,000	(266,000,000)
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment		(79,000,000)	(67,000,000)
Other, net		305,000,000	(258,000,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(2,990,000,000)	(5,231,000,000)
Policyholders’ account balances:
Deposits		7,852,000,000	5,871,000,000
Withdrawals		(4,014,000,000)	(2,574,000,000)
Transfer (to) from Separate Accounts		(338,000,000)	1,617,000,000
Change in short-term financings		(168,000,000)	(216,000,000)
Change in collateralized pledged assets		(62,000,000)	724,000,000
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities		279,000,000	664,000,000
Increase (decrease) in overdrafts payable		(39,000,000)	66,000,000
Shareholder dividend paid		(1,100,000,000)	0
Cash received on the recapture of captive reinsurance		1,099,000,000	0
Repurchase of AB Holding units from noncontrolling interest		(59,000,000)	0
Redemption of noncontrolling interests of consolidated VIEs, net		(519,000,000)	(52,000,000)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		(468,000,000)	(347,000,000)
Increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreement to repurchase		13,000,000	(159,000,000)
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards, net		(83,000,000)	(134,000,000)
Other, net		(1,000,000)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,293,000,000	5,460,000,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(9,000,000)	17,000,000
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(92,000,000)	1,240,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		3,409,000,000	2,950,000,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period		3,317,000,000	4,190,000,000
Non-cash transactions during the period(1)
(Settlement) issuance of long-term debt		(202,000,000)	202,000,000
Transfer of assets to reinsurer	[1]	(604,000,000)	0
Repayment of loan to affiliates	[1]	$ 300,000,000	$ 0

[1] See Note 11 for significant non-cash transactions related to the GMxB unwind and related merger of AXA RE Arizona.