Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020		Sep. 30, 2019		Sep. 30, 2020		Sep. 30, 2019
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	$ 2,977		$ 3,300		$ 8,693		$ 9,665
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	4		(13)		(19)		(4)
Revenues attributable to CIEs	21		22		52		67
Market impact on IUL benefits	1		17		(10)		(8)
Market impact of hedges on investments	0		(9)		0		(37)
Integration and Restructuring Charges	0		0		0		(3)
Total net revenues	3,003		3,317		8,716		9,680
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	227		655		1,456		1,963
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset	4		(11)		(18)		(2)
Net Income of Consolidated Investment Entities	0		(1)		(2)		0
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits	(427)		(2)		274		(204)
Market impact on IUL benefits	(4)		48		(35)		(29)
Market impact on fixed annuity benefits			(1)		0		0
Mean reversion related impacts	17		(36)		(30)		18
Market impact of hedges on investments	0		(9)		0		(37)
Integration and restructuring charges	(1)		(2)		(4)		(11)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	(184)		641		1,641		1,698
Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	1,667		1,682		4,899		4,889
Total net revenues	1,448		1,442		4,250		4,200
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	320		396		969		1,122
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	739		742		2,093		2,143
Total net revenues	726		729		2,054		2,103
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	198		173		496		483
Retirement & Protection Solutions [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	781		788		2,295		2,337
Total net revenues	671		678		1,976		2,018
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	(89)		165		300		545
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	132		450		412		1,340
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings	(202)		(79)		(309)		(187)
Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	342	[1]	362	[1]	1,006	[2]	1,044	[2]
Consolidation, eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	343		364		1,011		1,050
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Advice and Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	219		240		649		689
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	13		13		39		40
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Retirement & Protection Solutions [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	110		110		319		319
Consolidation, eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	$ 0		$ (1)		$ (1)		$ (4)

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($219 million and $240 million, respectively); Asset Management ($13 million and $13 million, respectively); Retirement & Protection Solutions ($110 million and $110 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $(1) million, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($649 million and $689 million, respectively); Asset Management ($39 million and $40 million, respectively); Retirement & Protection Solutions ($319 million and $319 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(1) million and $(4) million, respectively).