Derivative Instruments (Gross Notional Amount and Fair Value of Derivatives Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	$ 20,673,388	$ 9,207,601
Gross Fair Value Assets	136,775	118,846
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	(25,277)	(21,249)
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability)	(3,134,000)	(3,112,000)
Future Policy Benefits
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability)	(3,134,000)	(3,112,000)
Reinsurance Recoverables | Pruco Re
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability)	3,013,000	2,996,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	115,358	83,412
Gross Fair Value Assets	15,910	5,555
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	(206)	(654)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	20,558,030	9,124,189
Gross Fair Value Assets	120,865	113,291
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	(25,071)	(20,595)
Interest Rate Swaps | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	1,872,750	1,902,750
Gross Fair Value Assets	84,817	92,507
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	(13,452)	(18,480)
Interest Rate Options | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	100,000	100,000
Gross Fair Value Assets	9,431	10,736
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	0	0
Foreign Currency Forwards | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	2,752	0
Gross Fair Value Assets	23	0
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	0	0
Foreign Currency Swaps | Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	115,358	83,412
Gross Fair Value Assets	15,910	5,555
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	(206)	(654)
Foreign Currency Swaps | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	77,729	57,011
Gross Fair Value Assets	11,220	4,363
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	0	(5)
Credit Default Swaps | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	0	1,200
Gross Fair Value Assets	0	0
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	0	(43)
Total Return Swaps | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	217,999	220,986
Gross Fair Value Assets	320	1,937
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	(3,626)	0
Equity Options | Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	18,286,800	6,842,242
Gross Fair Value Assets	15,054	3,748
Gross Fair Value Liabilities	$ (7,993)	$ (2,067)