Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	$ 3,564	$ 3,361	$ 7,093	$ 6,638
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	5	21	11	38
Revenues attributable to CIEs	49	25	71	47
Market impact on IUL benefits	(10)	(3)	3	(2)
Market impact of hedges on investments	5	(8)	21	(7)
Total net revenues	3,196	3,012	6,364	5,938
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	642	584	1,299	1,104
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	5	20	11	36
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs		1		2
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits	(80)	(80)	(85)	(143)
Market impact on IUL benefits	(20)	(6)	5	(6)
Market impact of hedges on investments	5	(8)	21	(7)
Integration Related Costs	(4)		(7)
Pretax income	548	511	1,244	986
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	1,543	1,376	3,044	2,697
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	1,296	1,145	2,557	2,229
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	350	291	666	539
Asset Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	755	747	1,533	1,472
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	743	735	1,509	1,449
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	183	176	378	326
Annuities [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	622	627	1,235	1,235
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	532	540	1,055	1,064
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	129	142	261	281
Protection [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	533	517	1,052	1,038
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	520	502	1,023	1,008
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	45	51	115	114
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	56	55	113	112
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	56	55	114	112
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(65)	(76)	(121)	(156)
Total Segment [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	3,509	3,322	6,977	6,554
Eliminations	362	345	719	692
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	3,147	2,977	6,258	5,862
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	368	349	729	700
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	247	231	487	468
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	12	12	24	23
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	90	87	180	171
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	$ 13	$ 15	29	$ 30
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations			$ (1)