Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										$ 12,694	$ 11,993	$ 11,639
Net Realized Gains (Losses)										10	46	6
Revenues attributable to CIEs										127	94	128
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										(7)	1	24
Market impact of hedges on investments										11	(2)	3
Total net revenues		$ 3,179	$ 3,292	$ 3,196	$ 3,168	$ 3,180	$ 3,014	$ 3,012	$ 2,926	12,835	12,132	11,800
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										2,531	2,403	1,764
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset										9	44	6
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs										(1)	2	(2)
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net										(31)	(232)	(216)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										(17)	4	36
Market impact on fixed annuity benefits										1
Market impact of hedges on investments										11	(2)	3
Integration and restructuring charges										(19)	(5)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest										2,484	2,214	1,591
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										6,189	5,616	5,144
Total net revenues										5,237	4,663	4,162
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										1,389	1,163	910
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										3,011	3,072	2,960
Total net revenues										2,961	3,025	2,916
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										728	740	621
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										2,476	2,499	2,463
Total net revenues										2,120	2,148	2,130
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										465	710	329
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										2,206	2,044	2,241
Total net revenues										2,145	1,982	2,195
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										243	216	263
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										226	173	237
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										(294)	(426)	(359)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	[1]									1,414	1,411	1,406
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										1,431	1,426	1,440
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										952	953	982
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										50	47	44
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										356	351	333
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										61	62	46
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										$ (5)	$ (2)	$ 1

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($952, $953 and $982, respectively); Asset Management ($50, $47 and $44, respectively); Annuities ($356, $351 and $333, respectively); Protection ($61, $62 and $46, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(5), $(2) and $1, respectively).