Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										$ 11,888	$ 11,535	$ 11,734
Net Realized Gains (Losses)										46	6	4
Revenues attributable to CIEs										94	128	446
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										1	24	7
Market impact of hedges on investments										(2)	3	(21)
Total net revenues		$ 3,160	$ 2,981	$ 2,985	$ 2,901	$ 3,062	$ 2,998	$ 2,871	$ 2,765	12,027	11,696	12,170
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										2,403	1,765	2,254
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset										44	6	4
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs										2	(2)	125
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net										(232)	(216)	(214)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										4	36	(1)
Market impact of hedges on investments										(2)	3	(21)
Integration and restructuring charges										(5)		(5)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision		$ 600	$ 628	$ 511	$ 475	$ 469	$ 238	$ 410	$ 475	2,214	1,592	2,142
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										5,506	5,036	5,013
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										1,163	911	859
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										3,077	2,964	3,254
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										740	621	761
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,499	2,463	2,541
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										710	329	650
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										2,044	2,241	2,131
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										216	263	198
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										173	237	256
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings										(426)	(359)	(214)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues	[1]									(1,411)	(1,406)	(1,461)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										953	982	1,035
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										47	44	43
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										351	333	340
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										62	46	42
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment operating revenues										$ (2)	$ 1	$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($953, $982 and $1,035, respectively); Asset Management ($47, $44 and $43, respectively); Annuities ($351, $333 and $340, respectively); Protection ($62, $46 and $42, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(2), $1 and $1, respectively).