Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										$ 11,535		$ 11,734		$ 11,591
Net realized gains										6		4		37
Revenues attributable to CIEs										128		446		651
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										24		7		(11)
Market impact of hedges on investments										3		(21)
Total net revenues		$ 3,062	$ 2,998	$ 2,871	$ 2,765	$ 3,103	$ 2,886	$ 3,128	$ 3,053	11,696	[1]	12,170	[1]	12,268	[1]
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										1,765		2,254		2,229
Net realized gains										6		4		37
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs										(2)		125		381
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net										(216)		(214)		(94)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										36		(1)		(6)
Market impact of hedges on investments										3		(21)
Integration and restructuring charges												(5)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision		$ 469	$ 238	$ 410	$ 475	$ 446	$ 463	$ 615	$ 618	1,592		2,142		2,547
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										5,036		5,013		4,806
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										911		859		792
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,964		3,254		3,320
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										621		761		788
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,463		2,541		2,591
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										329		650		633
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,506		2,384		2,287
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										176		183		246
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										(28)		3		4
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										(272)		(199)		(230)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues	[2]									(1,406)		(1,461)		(1,417)
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues										656		1,038		1,315
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										982		1,035		997
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										44		43		44
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										333		340		235
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										46		42		139
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										$ 1		$ 1		$ 2

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $656, $1,038 and $1,315 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($982, $1,035 and $997, respectively); Asset Management ($44, $43 and $44, respectively); Annuities ($333, $340 and $235, respectively); Protection ($46, $42 and $139, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1, $1 and $2, respectively).