Segment Information - Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of assets by segment
Total assets	$ 145,486	$ 139,821
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of assets by segment
Total assets	13,407	12,654
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of assets by segment
Total assets	8,163	7,254
Annuities [Member]
Summary of assets by segment
Total assets	96,656	93,481
Protection [Member]
Summary of assets by segment
Total assets	17,543	16,780
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of assets by segment
Total assets	$ 9,717	$ 9,652