Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	$ 3,648		$ 3,366		$ 10,741		$ 10,004
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	4		(3)		15		35
Revenues attributable to CIEs	22		23		93		70
Market impact on IUL benefits	(8)		(5)		(5)		(7)
Market impact of hedges on investments	6		(1)		27		(8)
Total net revenues	3,292		3,014		9,656		8,952
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	645		703		1,944		1,807
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	4		(3)		15		33
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs							2
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits	(45)		(55)		(130)		(198)
Market impact on IUL benefits	(13)		(10)		(8)		(16)
Market impact of hedges on investments	6		(1)		27		(8)
Integration Related Costs	(9)		(1)		(16)		(1)
Pretax income	588		633		1,832		1,619
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	1,564		1,410		4,608		4,107
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	1,329		1,177		3,886		3,406
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	355		299		1,021		838
Asset Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	772		784		2,305		2,256
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	759		772		2,268		2,221
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	197		204		575		530
Annuities [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	628		626		1,863		1,861
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	537		538		1,592		1,602
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	153		281		414		562
Protection [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	611		478		1,663		1,516
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	594		462		1,617		1,470
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	61		55		176		169
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	47		50		160		162
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	49		51		163		163
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Total segment operating earnings	(121)		(136)		(242)		(292)
Total Segment [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues before eliminations	3,622		3,348		10,599		9,902
Eliminations	354	[1]	348	[1]	1,073	[2]	1,040	[2]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total net revenues	3,268		3,000		9,526		8,862
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	356		352		1,085		1,052
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	235		233		722		701
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	13		12		37		35
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	91		88		271		259
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	17		16		46		46
Intersegment revenues, eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Eliminations	$ (2)		$ (1)		$ (3)		$ (1)

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($235 million and $233 million, respectively); Asset Management ($13 million and $12 million, respectively); Annuities ($91 million and $88 million, respectively); Protection ($17 million and $16 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(2) million and $(1) million, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($722 million and $701 million, respectively); Asset Management ($37 million and $35 million, respectively); Annuities ($271 million and $259 million, respectively); Protection ($46 million and $46 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(3) million and $(1) million, respectively).