Segment Information (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										$ 11,829	$ 12,710	$ 12,694
Net Realized Gains (Losses)										(11)	(6)	10
Revenues attributable to CIEs										71	88	127
Market Impact on non-traditional long-duration products, net										10		(7)
Market impact of hedges on investments											(35)	11
Restructuring Charges											(3)
Gain on disposal of business											213
Revenues, Net of Interest Expense		$ 3,183	$ 3,003	$ 2,712	$ 3,001	$ 3,287	$ 3,317	$ 3,245	$ 3,118	11,899	12,967	12,835
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										2,129	2,608	2,564
Net Realized Gains (Losses) including DAC offset										(10)	(4)	9
Net income (loss) attributable to CIEs										4	1	(1)
Market impact on non-traditional long-duration products										(375)	(591)	(47)
Mean reversion related impacts										87	57	(33)
Market impact of hedges on investments											(35)	11
Integration and restructuring charges										(4)	(17)	(19)
Gain on disposal of business											213
Pretax income		$ 190	$ (184)	$ (526)	$ 2,351	$ 534	$ 641	$ 587	$ 470	1,831	2,232	2,484
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										6,675	6,599	6,189
Revenues, Net of Interest Expense										5,782	5,675	5,237
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										1,321	1,509	1,389
Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										2,891	2,913	3,011
Revenues, Net of Interest Expense										2,838	2,858	2,961
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										697	661	728
Retirement & Protection Solutions
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										3,094	3,123	3,167
Revenues, Net of Interest Expense										2,661	2,694	2,750
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										480	724	721
Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										546	1,477	1,741
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Segment Reporting Information Operating Earnings										(369)	(286)	(274)
Eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues	[1]									1,377	1,402	1,414
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										1,384	1,410	1,431
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										893	924	952
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										53	55	50
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Retirement & Protection Solutions
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										433	429	417
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]
Summary of segment operating results
Total segment adjusted operating revenues										$ (2)	$ (6)	$ (5)

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 in each segment as follows: Advice and Wealth Management ($893, $924 and $952, respectively); Asset Management ($53, $55 and $50, respectively); Retirement & Protection Solutions ($433, $429 and $417, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($(2), $(6) and $(5), respectively).