Capital Contributions To Foundation

No definition available.

Name:	efl_CapitalContributionsToFoundation
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Premiums assumed and earned by an affiliated insurer as a result of reinsurance arrangements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efl_CededPremiumsEarnedAffiliated
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represent the guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance contract asset reported at fair value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efl_GuaranteedMinimumIncomeBenefitReinsuranceContractAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The reduction in the amount of the provision for the period for claims and benefits incurred on contract risks ceded to affiliated insurers under reinsurance arrangements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efl_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCededToAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unfunded Commitments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	efl_UnfundedCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	efl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of net assets (liabilities).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77885760&loc=SL35686385-199418

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 205
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118262037&loc=d3e9915-115836

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-09(7))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120401555&loc=SL114874367-224272

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-05(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120401414&loc=d3e604008-122996

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-09(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120401555&loc=SL114874367-224272

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, amounts due from related parties including affiliates, employees, joint ventures, officers and stockholders, immediate families thereof, and pension funds.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(4)(iv))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124359900&loc=SL124442526-122756

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124359900&loc=SL124442526-122756

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124359900&loc=SL124442552-122756

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(4)(iii)(C))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124359900&loc=SL124442552-122756

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(4)(iv))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124359900&loc=SL124442552-122756

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(4)(iii)(B))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124359900&loc=SL124442526-122756

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DueFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8813-108599

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from a long-term borrowing made from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth. Alternate caption: Proceeds from Advances from Affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromRelatedPartyDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Expenses recognized resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Identify the stated interest rate per the agreement, for example, leasing and debt arrangements between related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for the payment of a long-term borrowing made from a related party where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth. Alternate caption: Payments for Advances from Affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=efl_NonConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesVIEMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=srt_AffiliatedEntityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=efl_EquitableInvestmentManagementLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=efl_AllianceBernsteinL.P.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=efl_EQAZLifeReMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfGuaranteeAxis=efl_UniversalLifeAndNoLapseGuaranteeRidersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=efl_EquitableHoldingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=efl_TermLoanTenYearMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=srt_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=efl_LoanFromRelatedParty133Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=efl_LoanFromRelatedParty369Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=efl_CostSharingAndGeneralServiceAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value				$ 2,068,000,000	$ 2,859,000,000
Repayments of related party debt				0	0	$ 572,000,000
Capital contributions to foundation				0	0	25,000,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Invested assets				278,000,000	218,000,000
Non-consolidated Vairable Interest Entities
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net assets				12,000,000,000	13,000,000,000
Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Unfunded commitments				157,000,000	163,000,000
Equitable Investment Management, LLC (EIM)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses from transactions with related party				46,000,000
AllianceBernstein (AB) \| Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses from transactions with related party				102,000,000	109,000,000	102,000,000
AllianceBernstein (AB) \| Affiliated Entity \| Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Invested assets				313,000,000	64,000,000
AllianceBernstein (AB) \| Affiliated Entity \| Non-consolidated Vairable Interest Entities
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net assets				968,000,000	623,000,000
Unfunded commitments				126,000,000	90,000,000
EQ AZ Life Re
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value				220,000,000
EQ AZ Life Re \| Universal Life And No Lapse Guarantee Riders
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded premiums				48,000,000	51,000,000	62,000,000
Ceded claims paid				93,000,000	72,000,000	52,000,000
Equitable Holdings \| Term loan, 10 year, 3.23 percent
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans from affiliates	$ 1,000,000,000.0
Debt instrument, term	10 years
Related party transaction, rate (as a percent)	3.23%
Due from related party				1,000,000,000.0
Equitable Holdings \| Parent Company \| EQH-AEL internal debt (one-month LIBOR 1.33%, due 2024)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans from affiliates		$ 900,000,000
Related party transaction, rate (as a percent)		1.33%
Due from related party				900,000,000	900,000,000
Equitable Holdings \| Parent Company \| EQH-AEL internal debt (3.69%, due 2021)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans from affiliates			$ 800,000,000
Related party transaction, rate (as a percent)			3.69%
Due from related party					0
Repayments of related party debt					300,000,000	300,000,000
Cost Sharing And General Service Agreements
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses from transactions with related party				$ 30,000,000	$ 41,000,000	$ 73,000,000