Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		$ 2,954	$ 2,875	$ 8,598	$ 8,756
Net realized gains (losses)		6	(10)	(5)	5
Revenues attributable to CIEs		27	43	77	333
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		6	9	18	5
Market impact of hedges on investments		5	(31)	(54)	(32)
Total net revenues	[1],[2]	2,998	2,886	8,634	9,067
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		257	558	1,230	1,702
Net realized gains (losses)		6	(10)	(5)	5
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs		0	(45)	(1)	102
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net		(37)	(5)	(78)	(75)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		7	(1)	31	(2)
Market impact of hedges on investments		5	(31)	(54)	(32)
Integration and restructuring charges		0	(3)	0	(4)
Pretax income		238	463	1,123	1,696
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		1,272	1,245	3,720	3,747
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		231	219	657	649
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		740	782	2,203	2,421
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		155	180	452	568
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		631	632	1,846	1,914
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		(68)	176	202	498
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		679	586	1,891	1,776
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		11	25	117	148
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		(15)	(4)	(20)	(12)
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		(72)	(42)	(198)	(161)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	[3],[4]	(353)	(366)	(1,042)	(1,090)
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues		162	230	500	756
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		244	259	727	770
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		12	11	33	33
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		85	85	247	255
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		12	10	34	31
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		$ 0	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $162 million and $230 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

[2] Includes foreign net revenues of $500 million and $756 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

[3] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($727 and $770, respectively); Asset Management ($33 and $33, respectively); Annuities ($247 and $255, respectively); Protection ($34 and $31, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and $1, respectively).

[4] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($244 and $259, respectively); Asset Management ($12 and $11, respectively); Annuities ($85 and $85, respectively); Protection ($12 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).