Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019		Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2019		Sep. 30, 2018
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	$ 3,300		$ 3,268		$ 9,665		$ 9,526
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	(13)		4		(4)		15
Revenues attributable to CIEs	22		22		67		93
Market impact on IUL benefits	17		(8)		(8)		(5)
Market impact of hedges on investments	(9)		6		(37)		27
Restructuring Charges					(3)
Total net revenues	3,317		3,292		9,680		9,656
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	655		621		1,963		1,906
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	(11)		4		(2)		15
Net Income of Consolidated Investment Entities	(1)
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits	(2)		(45)		(204)		(130)
Market impact on IUL benefits	48		(13)		(29)		(8)
Market impact on fixed annuity benefits	(1)
Mean reversion related impacts	(36)		24		18		38
Market impact of hedges on investments	(9)		6		(37)		27
Integration and restructuring charges	(2)		(9)		(11)		(16)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	641		588		1,698		1,832
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	1,682		1,564		4,889		4,608
Total net revenues	1,442		1,329		4,200		3,886
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	396		355		1,122		1,021
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	742		772		2,143		2,305
Total net revenues	729		759		2,103		2,268
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	173		197		483		575
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	617		628		1,841		1,863
Total net revenues	523		537		1,568		1,592
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	120		129		377		377
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	265		328		786		836
Total net revenues	249		311		740		790
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	57		60		196		188
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	356		330		1,050		987
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	(91)		(120)		(215)		(255)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	362	[1]	354	[1]	1,044	[2]	1,073	[2]
Consolidation, eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	364		356		1,050		1,085
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	240		235		689		722
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	13		13		40		37
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	94		91		273		271
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	16		17		46		46
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	$ (1)		$ (2)		$ (4)		$ (3)

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($240 million and $235 million, respectively); Asset Management ($13 million and $13 million, respectively); Annuities ($94 million and $91 million, respectively); Protection ($16 million and $17 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(1) million and $(2) million, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($689 million and $722 million, respectively); Asset Management ($40 million and $37 million, respectively); Annuities ($273 million and $271 million, respectively); Protection ($46 million and $46 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(4) million and $(3) million, respectively)