Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense (less than)	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Pension Expense (less than)	$ 1,000,000	1,000,000
Defined Contribution Plan Employer Matching Contribution Percent	4.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized (less than)	$ 1,000,000	1,000,000
AST Revenue Sharing Income	25,000,000	53,000,000
PGIM Management Expenses	1,000,000	1,000,000
Allocated Lease Expense (less than in 2015)	0	1,000,000
Allocated Sub-Lease Rental Income	0	0
Commissions and Fees Paid to PAD	27,000,000	43,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	2,000,000,000
Short-term Debt with Pru Funding	0		$ 1,000,000
Interest Expense, Short-term Borrowings (less than)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Total Fees Ceded to Pruco Reinsurance	59,000,000	68,000,000
Total Fees Ceded to Prudential Insurance (less than in 2015)	6,000,000	1,000,000
Affiliated Reinsurance Payables	22,000,000		250,000,000
Affiliated Reinsurance Recoverables	3,776,000,000		$ 3,088,000,000
Realized Gains (Losses)	616,000,000	$ 237,000,000
Policy Charges And Fee Income
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total Fees Ceded to Prudential Insurance (less than in 2015)	$ 11,000,000