Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Net realized gains	$ 5		$ 1		$ 15		$ 6
Revenues attributable to CIEs	141		160		290		337
Market impact on IUL benefits, net			(4)		(4)		(2)
Market impact of hedges on investments	(1)		0		(1)		0
Total net revenues	3,128		3,072		6,181		6,068
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	582		579		1,144		1,123
Net realized gains	5		1		15		6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	61		93		147		208
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	(36)		(54)		(70)		(69)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	5				(1)		1
Market impact of hedges on investments	(1)		0		(1)		0
Integration and restructuring charges	(1)		0		(1)		0
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	615		619		1,233		1,269
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	1,274		1,198		2,502		2,347
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	220		194		430		375
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	832		844		1,639		1,651
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	197		199		388		382
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	651		651		1,282		1,287
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	150		170		322		346
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	600		579		1,190		1,134
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	72		91		123		150
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(2)		(2)		(8)		4
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(57)		(75)		(119)		(130)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(372)	[1]	(355)	[1]	(724)	[2]	(696)	[2]
Operating Segments [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	2,983		2,915		5,881		5,727
Total net revenues	3,128		3,072		6,181		6,068
Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	264		250		511		490
Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	11		11		22		22
Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	86		83		170		163
Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	11		10		21		20
Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 0		$ 1		$ 0		$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($264 and $250, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $11, respectively); Annuities ($86 and $83, respectively); Protection ($11 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($511 and $490, respectively); Asset Management ($22 and $22, respectively); Annuities ($170 and $163, respectively); Protection ($21 and $20, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).