Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 2,950		$ 2,856		$ 5,810		$ 5,644
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	21		5		38		(11)
Revenues attributable to CIEs	25		26		47		50
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	(3)		3		(2)		12
Market impact of hedges on investments	(8)		(19)		(7)		(59)
Total net revenues	2,985	[1]	2,871	[1]	5,886	[2]	5,636	[2]
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	584		476		1,104		973
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	20		5		36		(11)
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs	1		1		2		(1)
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	(80)		(58)		(143)		(41)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	(6)		5		(6)		24
Market impact of hedges on investments	(8)		(19)		(7)		(59)
Pretax income	511		410		986		885
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	1,348		1,250		2,643		2,448
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	291		221		539		426
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	748		739		1,474		1,463
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	176		148		326		297
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	627		619		1,235		1,215
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	142		146		281		270
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	517		538		1,038		1,080
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	51		38		114		106
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	55		59		112		127
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(76)		(77)		(156)		(126)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(345)	[3]	(349)	[3]	(692)	[4]	(689)	[4]
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	185		166		341		338
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	231		244		468		483
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	12		10		23		21
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	87		83		171		162
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	15		11		30		22
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 0		$ 1		$ 0		$ 1

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $185 million and $166 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

[2] Includes foreign net revenues of $341 million and $338 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

[3] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($231 million and $244 million, respectively); Asset Management ($12 million and $10 million, respectively); Annuities ($87 million and $83 million, respectively); Protection ($15 million and $11 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1 million, respectively).

[4] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($468 million and $483 million, respectively); Asset Management ($23 million and $21 million, respectively); Annuities ($171 million and $162 million, respectively); Protection ($30 million and $22 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1 million, respectively).