Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										$ 12,710	$ 12,694	$ 11,993
Net Realized Gains (Losses)										(6)	10	46
Revenues attributable to CIEs										88	127	94
Market impact on IUL benefits, net											(7)	1
Market impact of hedges on investments										(35)	11	(2)
Restructuring Charges										(3)
Gain on disposal of business										213
Total net revenues		$ 3,287	$ 3,317	$ 3,245	$ 3,118	$ 3,179	$ 3,292	$ 3,196	$ 3,168	12,967	12,835	12,132
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										2,608	2,564	2,320
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset										(4)	9	44
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs										1	(1)	2
Market impact on variable annuity living benefits, net										(579)	(31)	(232)
Market impact on IUL benefits, net										(12)	(17)	4
Market impact on fixed annuity benefits											1
Mean reversion related impacts										57	(33)	83
Market impact of hedges on investments										(35)	11	(2)
Integration and restructuring charges										(17)	(19)	(5)
Gain on disposal of business										213
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest										2,232	2,484	2,214
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										6,599	6,189	5,616
Total net revenues										5,675	5,237	4,663
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										1,509	1,389	1,163
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										2,913	3,011	3,072
Total net revenues										2,858	2,961	3,025
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										661	728	740
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										2,459	2,476	2,499
Total net revenues										2,092	2,120	2,148
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										497	496	629
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										1,047	1,096	983
Total net revenues										985	1,035	921
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										261	255	256
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										1,094	1,336	1,234
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										(320)	(304)	(468)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	[1]									1,402	1,414	1,411
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										1,410	1,431	1,426
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										924	952	953
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										55	50	47
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										367	356	351
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										62	61	62
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										$ (6)	$ (5)	$ (2)

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($924, $952 and $953, respectively); Asset Management ($55, $50 and $47, respectively); Annuities ($367, $356 and $351, respectively); Protection ($62, $61 and $62, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(6), $(5) and $(2), respectively).