Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 2019
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	$ 2,765		$ 3,247		$ 5,716		$ 6,365
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	(3)		0		(23)		9
Revenues attributable to CIEs	15		24		31		45
Market impact on IUL benefits	(66)		(8)		(11)		(25)
Mean reversion impacts, net revenue	1		0		0		0
Market impact of hedges on investments	0		(18)		0		(28)
Restructuring Charges	0		0		0		(3)
Total net revenues	2,712		3,245		5,713		6,363
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	577		673		1,229		1,308
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	(2)		0		(22)		9
Net Income of Consolidated Investment Entities	0		1		(2)		1
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits	(988)		(60)		701		(202)
Market impact on IUL benefits	(122)		(26)		(31)		(77)
Market impact on fixed annuity benefits	(3)		1		0		1
Mean reversion related impacts	14		18		(47)		54
Market impact of hedges on investments	0		(18)		0		(28)
Integration and restructuring charges	(2)		(2)		(3)		(9)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	(526)		587		1,825		1,057
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	1,537		1,653		3,232		3,207
Total net revenues	1,329		1,423		2,802		2,758
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	271		376		649		726
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	668		712		1,354		1,401
Total net revenues	655		698		1,328		1,374
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	141		164		298		310
Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	583		620		1,172		1,224
Total net revenues	493		529		992		1,045
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	155		129		250		257
Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	257		259		514		521
Total net revenues	242		244		485		491
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	70		65		142		139
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	46		352		108		694
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	(60)		(61)		(110)		(124)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	326	[1]	349	[1]	664	[2]	682	[2]
Consolidation, eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	328		350		668		686
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	208		230		430		449
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	13		14		26		27
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	90		91		180		179
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	15		15		29		30
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	$ 0		$ (1)		$ (1)		$ (3)

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($208 million and $230 million, respectively); Asset Management ($13 million and $14 million, respectively); Annuities ($90 million and $91 million, respectively); Protection ($15 million and $15 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $(1) million, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($430 million and $449 million, respectively); Asset Management ($26 million and $27 million, respectively); Annuities ($180 million and $179 million, respectively); Protection ($29 million and $30 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(1) million and $(3) million, respectively).