Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										$ 11,734		$ 11,591		$ 10,857
Net realized gains										4		37		7
Revenues attributable to CIEs										446		651		345
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										7		(11)		(10)
Market impact of hedges on investments										(21)		0		0
Total net revenues		$ 3,103	$ 2,886	$ 3,128	$ 3,053	$ 3,089	$ 3,111	$ 3,072	$ 2,996	12,170	[1]	12,268	[1]	11,199	[1]
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										2,254		2,229		2,019
Net realized gains										4		37		7
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		23	(45)	61	86	28	145	93	115	125		381		141
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net										(214)		(94)		(170)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										(1)		(6)		(13)
Market impact of hedges on investments										(21)		0		0
Integration and restructuring charges										(5)				(14)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision		$ 446	$ 463	$ 615	$ 618	$ 558	$ 720	$ 619	$ 650	2,142		2,547		1,970
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										5,013		4,806		4,295
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										859		792		592
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										3,254		3,320		3,169
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										761		788		691
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,541		2,591		2,561
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										650		633		629
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,384		2,287		2,186
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										183		246		336
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										3		4		15
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										(199)		(230)		(229)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues	[2]									(1,461)		(1,417)		(1,369)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										1,035		997		980
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										43		44		39
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										340		235		307
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										42		139		40
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										1		2		3
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues										$ 1,038		$ 1,315		$ 897

[1] (2) Includes foreign net revenues of $1,038, $1,315 and $897 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($1,035, $997 and $980, respectively); Asset Management ($43, $44 and $39, respectively); Annuities ($340, $235 and $307, respectively); Protection ($42, $139 and $40, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1, $2 and $3, respectively).