Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Document And Entity [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	PRUDENTIAL ANNUITIES LIFE ASSURANCE CORP/CT
Entity Central Index Key	0000881453
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	25,000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes