Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		$ 2,856	$ 2,983	$ 5,644	$ 5,881
Net realized gains (losses)		5	5	(11)	15
Revenues attributable to CIEs		26	141	50	290
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		3		12	(4)
Market impact of hedges on investments		(19)	(1)	(59)	(1)
Total net revenues	[1],[2]	2,871	3,128	5,636	6,181
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		476	582	973	1,144
Net realized gains (losses)		5	5	(11)	15
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs		1	61	(1)	147
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net		(58)	(36)	(41)	(70)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		5	5	24	(1)
Market impact of hedges on investments		(19)	(1)	(59)	(1)
Integration and restructuring charges		0	(1)	0	(1)
Pretax income		410	615	885	1,233
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		1,250	1,274	2,448	2,502
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		221	220	426	430
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		739	832	1,463	1,639
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		148	197	297	388
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		619	651	1,215	1,282
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		146	150	270	322
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		604	600	1,212	1,190
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		37	72	106	123
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		(7)	(2)	(5)	(8)
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		(76)	(57)	(126)	(119)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	[3],[4]	(349)	(372)	(689)	(724)
Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		244	264	483	511
Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		10	11	21	22
Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		83	86	162	170
Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		11	11	22	21
Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		1	0	1	0
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues		$ 166	$ 293	$ 338	$ 526

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $166 million and $293 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

[2] Includes foreign net revenues of $338 million and $526 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

[3] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($483 million and $511 million, respectively); Asset Management ($21 million and $22 million, respectively); Annuities ($162 million and $170 million, respectively); Protection ($22 million and $21 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 million and nil, respectively).

[4] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($244 million and $264 million, respectively); Asset Management ($10 million and $11 million, respectively); Annuities ($83 million and $86 million, respectively); Protection ($11 million and $11 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 million and nil, respectively).