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Percentage reinsured of current exposure to annuity contracts in-force and, subject to certain maximum amounts or caps in any one period

No definition available.

Name:	efl_ExposureReinsuredPercentageQuotaShareofLiabilitiesforVariableAnnuities
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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This element represent the guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance contract asset reported at fair value

No definition available.

Name:	efl_GuaranteedMinimumIncomeBenefitReinsuranceContractAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The increase (decrease) in the fair value of the reinsurance contracts accounted for as derivative instruments.

No definition available.

Name:	efl_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfReinsuranceContracts
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Reinsurance Retention Policy, Amount Retained, Cash

No definition available.

Name:	efl_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyAmountRetainedCash
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Reinsurance Retention Policy, Amount Retained, Excluding Cash

No definition available.

Name:	efl_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyAmountRetainedExcludingCash
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Liability as of the balance sheet date for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims and claim adjustment expense relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date for those liabilities owed to another party as a result of assuming another insurer's primary obligation.

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Name:	us-gaap_AssumedLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
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Carrying amount of assets as of the balance sheet date pertaining to amounts paid by the insured (including a ceding company) under insurance or reinsurance contracts for which insurance risk is not transferred.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the known and estimated amounts owed to insurers under reinsurance treaties or other arrangements.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ReinsurancePayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount, after valuation allowance, recoverable under reinsurance contracts including premium paid under reinsurance contracts. Examples include, but are not limited to, settled and unsettled claims, incurred but not reported losses, loss adjustment expense, premium paid, policy benefits and policy reserves.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
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Stated amount that is the upper retention limit per entity policy.

No definition available.

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

Percentage of risk reinsured in excess of stated retention per entity policy.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyExcessRetentionPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of risk reinsured on insurance products per entity policy.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=efl_EquitableFinancialMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=efl_NonAffiliatedEntityMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis=us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=efl_VariableUniversalTermLifeInsuranceSingleLifeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=efl_VariableUniversalTermLifeInsuranceSecondToDieLifeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=efl_GroupLifeAndHealthInsuranceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfBenefitAxis=us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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