Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ 2,967		$ 2,954		$ 8,777		$ 8,598
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	(3)		6		35		(5)
Revenues attributable to CIEs	23		27		70		77
Market impact on IUL benefits	(5)		6		(7)		18
Market impact of hedges on investments	(1)		5		(8)		(54)
Total net revenues	2,981	[1]	2,998	[1]	8,867	[2]	8,634	[2]
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	698		257		1,802		1,230
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	(3)		6		33		(5)
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs					2		(1)
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits	(55)		(37)		(198)		(78)
Market impact on IUL benefits	(10)		7		(16)		31
Market impact of hedges on investments	(1)		5		(8)		(54)
Business Combination, Integration Related Costs	(1)				(1)
Pretax income	628		238		1,614		1,123
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	1,383		1,272		4,026		3,720
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	298		231		837		657
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	778		740		2,252		2,203
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	200		155		526		452
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	626		631		1,861		1,846
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	281		(68)		562		202
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	478		613		1,516		1,693
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	55		84		169		190
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	50		51		162		178
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(136)		(145)		(292)		(271)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	(348)	[3]	(353)	[3]	(1,040)	[4]	(1,042)	[4]
Non-US [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	198		162		539		500
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	233		244		701		727
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	12		12		35		33
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	88		85		259		247
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	16		12		46		34
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment operating revenues	$ (1)		$ 0		$ (1)		$ 1

[1] Includes foreign net revenues of $198 million and $162 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

[2] Includes foreign net revenues of $539 million and $500 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

[3] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($233 million and $244 million, respectively); Asset Management ($12 million and $12 million, respectively); Annuities ($88 million and $85 million, respectively); Protection ($16 million and $12 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(1) million and nil, respectively).

[4] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($701 million and $727 million, respectively); Asset Management ($35 million and $33 million, respectively); Annuities ($259 million and $247 million, respectively); Protection ($46 million and $34 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(1) million and $1 million, respectively).