Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Net realized gains	$ (10)		$ 4		$ 5		$ 10
Revenues attributable to CIEs	43		206		333		543
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	9		2		5
Market impact of hedges on investments	(31)		0		(32)		0
Total net revenues	2,886		3,111		9,067		9,179
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	558		554		1,702		1,677
Net realized gains	(10)		4		5		10
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(45)		145		102		353
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	(5)		9		(75)		(60)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	(1)		8		(2)		9
Market impact of hedges on investments	(31)		0		(32)		0
Integration and restructuring charges	(3)		0		(4)		0
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	463		720		1,696		1,989
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	1,245		1,210		3,747		3,557
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	219		205		649		580
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	782		839		2,421		2,490
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	180		208		568		590
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	632		655		1,914		1,942
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	176		128		498		474
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	586		553		1,776		1,687
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	25		66		148		216
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(4)		(1)		(12)		3
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(42)		(53)		(161)		(183)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(366)	[1]	(357)	[1]	(1,090)	[2]	(1,053)	[2]
Operating Segments [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	2,875		2,899		8,756		8,626
Total net revenues	2,886		3,111		9,067		9,179
Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	259		250		770		740
Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	11		11		33		33
Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	85		85		255		248
Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	10		11		31		31
Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 1		$ 0		$ 1		$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($259 and $250, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $11, respectively); Annuities ($85 and $85, respectively); Protection ($10 and $11, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and nil, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($770 and $740, respectively); Asset Management ($33 and $33, respectively); Annuities ($255 and $248, respectively); Protection ($31 and $31, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and $1, respectively).