Segment Information - Operating net revenues (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	$ 3,418		$ 2,712		$ 6,768		$ 5,713
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Pretax income (loss)	721		(526)		1,214		1,825
Advice and Wealth Management Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	1,714		1,329		3,343		2,802
Asset Management Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	865		655		1,680		1,328
Retirement & Protection Solutions Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	690		650		1,361		1,305
Corporate and Other Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	118		131		257		281
Reportable segments
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	3,786		3,091		7,419		6,380
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Pretax income (loss)	781		577		1,560		1,229
Reportable segments | Advice and Wealth Management Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	1,980		1,537		3,859		3,232
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Pretax income (loss)	423		271		812		649
Reportable segments | Asset Management Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	879		668		1,707		1,354
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Pretax income (loss)	253		141		481		298
Reportable segments | Retirement & Protection Solutions Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	808		755		1,595		1,514
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Pretax income (loss)	182		222		365		389
Reportable segments | Corporate and Other Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	119		131		258		280
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Pretax income (loss)	(77)		(57)		(98)		(107)
Intersegment eliminations
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	(399)	[1]	(326)	[1]	(778)	[2]	(664)	[2]
Intersegment eliminations | Advice and Wealth Management Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	(266)		(208)		(516)		(430)
Intersegment eliminations | Asset Management Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	(14)		(13)		(27)		(26)
Intersegment eliminations | Retirement & Protection Solutions Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	(118)		(105)		(234)		(209)
Intersegment eliminations | Corporate and Other Segment
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	(1)				(1)		1
Segment reconciling items
Summary of segment operating results
Net realized gains (losses)	10		(3)		67		(23)
Revenue attributable to CIEs	16		15		50		31
Market impact on non-traditional long-duration products, net (revenues)	21		(66)		26		(11)
Mean reversion related impacts, net revenue	1		1		1
Market impact on hedges on investments	(17)				(17)
Total net revenues	31		(53)		127		(3)
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated
Net realized gains (losses	11		(2)		66		(22)
Net Income of Consolidated Investment Entities	(2)		0		(3)		(2)
Market impact on non-traditional long-duration products, net	(87)		(1,113)		(483)		670
Mean reversion related impacts	42		14		98		(47)
Market impact of hedges on investments	(17)				(17)
Integration and restructuring charges	(7)		(2)		(7)		(3)
Total Segments after intersegment eliminations | Reportable segments
Summary of segment operating results
Total net revenues	$ 3,387		$ 2,765		$ 6,641		$ 5,716

[1] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($266 million and $208 million, respectively); Asset Management ($14 million and $13 million, respectively); Retirement & Protection Solutions ($118 million and $105 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 million and nil, respectively).

[2] Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($516 million and $430 million, respectively); Asset Management ($27 million and $26 million, respectively); Retirement & Protection Solutions ($234 million and $209 million, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 million and $(1) million, respectively).