Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		$ 2,860	$ 2,788
Net Realized Gains (Losses)		17	(16)
Revenues attributable to CIEs		22	24
Market impact on IUL benefits, net		1	9
Market impact of hedges on investments		1	(40)
Total net revenues	[1]	2,901	2,765
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		520	497
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset		16	(16)
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs		1	(2)
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net		(63)	17
Market impact on IUL benefits, net			19
Market impact of hedges on investments		1	(40)
Pretax income		475	475
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		1,295	1,198
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		248	205
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		726	724
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		150	149
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		608	596
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		139	124
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		521	542
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		63	68
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		57	68
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings		(80)	(49)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	[2]	(347)	(340)
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues		156	172
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		237	239
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		11	11
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		84	79
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		15	11
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues		$ 0	$ 0

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $156 million and $172 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($237 and $239, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $11, respectively); Annuities ($84 and $79, respectively); Protection ($15 and $11, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and nil, respectively).