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1290 VT Energy Portfolio  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading 1290 VT Energy Portfolio1 – Class IB and K Shares [1]
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading  FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE PORTFOLIO
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
 
The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Portfolio. The table below does not reflect any fees and expenses associated with variable life insurance contracts and variable annuity certificates and contracts (“Contracts”), which would increase overall fees and expenses. See the Contract prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees(fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage ofthe value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination April 30, 2022
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading  PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
 
The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 55% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 55.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading  Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
 
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other portfolios. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same, and that the Expense Limitation Arrangement is not renewed. This Example does not reflect any Contract-related fees and expenses including redemption fees (if any) at the Contract level. If such fees and expenses were reflected, the total expenses would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, whether you redeem or hold your shares, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading  INVESTMENTS, RISKS, AND PERFORMANCE Principal Investment Strategy:
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of companies in the energy sector through investments in exchange-traded securities of other investment companies and investment vehicles (“exchange-traded funds” or “ETFs”). The energy sector includes companies engaged in such activities as exploring, developing, mining, refining, producing, distributing, transporting, and dealing in conventional and alternative sources of energy; making and servicing component products for such activities; and energy research and development. The Portfolio may invest in ETFs that invest in equity securities of companies of any size in developed and emerging markets throughout the world. The Portfolio invests its assets in ETFs in accordance with weightings determined by Equitable Investment Management Group, LLC (“EIM” or the “Adviser”), the Portfolio’s investment manager.
ETFs are investment companies or other investment vehicles
whose
shares are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market and may be purchased and sold throughout the trading day based on their market price. Generally, an ETF seeks to track a securities index or a basket of securities that an “index provider” (such as Standard & Poor’s, Dow Jones, Russell or Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”)) selects as representative of a market, market segment, industry sector, country or geographic region. An index-based ETF generally holds the same stocks or bonds as the index it tracks (or it may hold a representative sample of such securities). Accordingly, an index-based ETF is designed so that its performance, before fees and expenses, will correspond closely with that of the index it tracks. ETFs may also be actively managed. The ETFs in which the Portfolio may invest are referred to herein as the “Underlying ETFs.”
 
The Adviser uses a two-stage allocation process to create an investment portfolio of ETFs for the Portfolio. The first stage involves a strategic allocation that is intended to achieve a desired risk/return profile for the Portfolio, while providing broad exposure to the energy sector. In this stage, the Adviser decides what portion of the Portfolio’s assets should be invested in various industries within the energy sector and in which geographic regions based on an evaluation of the potential return characteristics and risks of the particular energy industries and geographic regions. Currently, the Portfolio intends to invest (through ETFs) approximately 90% of its assets in traditional energy industries (
e.g.
, oil and gas) and 10% of its assets in alternative energy industries (
e.g.
, solar and wind). The Portfolio also intends to invest (through ETFs) approximately 90% of its assets in U.S. securities and 10% of its assets in foreign securities, including securities of companies in emerging market countries. These percentages can deviate by up to 15% of the Portfolio’s assets. The Adviser may adjust these strategic allocations from time to time.
 
The second stage of this process involves the selection of Underlying ETFs to provide exposure to the energy industries and geographic regions identified as a result of the first stage of the investment process. The Adviser seeks to select a combination of Underlying ETFs that together provide the targeted energy industry and geographic exposure for the Portfolio. In selecting the Underlying ETFs, the Adviser also seeks to construct a diversified portfolio of ETFs that use a variety of indexing methodologies within the energy sector. Individual ETF weights are based on a variety of factors, including the Underlying ETF’s exposure to the desired energy industry or geographic region, investment objective(s), total return, portfolio holdings, volatility, expenses and liquidity.
 
For purposes of complying with the Portfolio’s investment policies, the Adviser will identify Underlying ETFs in which to invest by reference to such Underlying ETFs’ investment policies at the time of investment. An Underlying ETF that changes its investment policies subsequent to the time of the Portfolio’s investment may continue to be considered an appropriate investment for purposes of the policy. The Adviser may add new Underlying ETFs or replace or eliminate existing Underlying ETFs without notice or shareholder approval. The Underlying ETFs have been selected to represent a reasonable spectrum of investment options for the Portfolio. The Adviser may sell the Portfolio’s holdings for a variety of reasons, including to invest in an Underlying ETF believed to offer superior investment opportunities. The Portfolio may hold cash or invest in short-term paper and other short-term investments (instead of allocating investments to an Underlying ETF) as deemed appropriate by the Adviser.
 
The Portfolio will concentrate its investments in companies engaged in activities in the energy group of industries.
 
The Portfolio also may lend its portfolio securities to earn additional income.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of companies in the energy sector through investments in exchange-traded securities of other investment companies and investment vehicles (“exchange-traded funds” or “ETFs”).
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks:
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock An investment in the Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The value of your investment may fall, sometimes sharply, and you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
 
The following risks can negatively affect the Portfolio’s performance. The most significant risks as of the date of this Prospectus are listed first, followed by additional risks in alphabetical order.
 
Market Risk:
The Portfolio is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect Portfolio performance. Securities markets also may experience long periods of decline in value. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer can impact a market as a whole. Geo-political risks, including terrorism, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major players on the world stage, may lead to instability in world economies and markets, may lead to increased market volatility, and may have adverse long-term effects. Events such as natural disasters, public health crises (such as epidemics and pandemics) and social unrest, and governments’ reactions to such events, could cause uncertainty in the markets and may adversely affect the performance of the global economy. Adverse market conditions may not have the same impact on all types of securities. In addition, markets and market-participants are increasingly reliant on information data systems. Inaccurate data, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at-large.
 
Equity Risk:
In general, the values of stocks and other equity securities fluctuate, and sometimes widely fluctuate, in response to changes in a company’s financial condition as well as general market, economic and political conditions and other factors.
Energy Sector Risk:
The energy markets have experienced significant volatility in recent periods, including a historic drop in crude oil and natural gas prices in April 2020 attributable to the significant decrease in demand for oil and other energy commodities as a result of the slowdown in economic activity due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as well as price competition among key oil-producing countries. The energy markets may continue to experience stress and relatively high volatility for a prolonged period. In addition, the energy sector is cyclical and highly dependent on commodities prices. The market values of companies in the energy sector may fluctuate widely and could be adversely affected by, among other factors, the levels and volatility of global energy prices, commodity price volatility, energy supply and demand, changes in exchange rates and interest rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, capital expenditures on and the success of exploration and production, depletion of resources, development of alternative energy sources and energy conservation efforts, technological developments, tax treatment, labor relations, and the economic growth and stability of the key energy-consuming countries. Companies in this sector are subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of business and limit these companies’ earnings, and a significant portion of their revenues depends on a relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and utilities. Energy companies may also operate in or engage in transactions involving countries with less developed regulatory regimes or a history of expropriation, nationalization or other adverse policies. Energy companies also face a significant risk of liability from accidents resulting in injury or loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental mishaps, equipment malfunctions or mishandling of materials and a risk of loss from terrorism, political strife, natural disasters or other catastrophes. Any of these factors could result in a material adverse impact on the Portfolio’s securities and the performance of the Portfolio.
 
Oil and Gas Sector Risk:
The profitability of companies in the oil and gas sector is related to worldwide energy prices, exploration costs and production spending. Companies in the oil and gas sector may be at risk for environmental damage claims and other types of litigation, as well as negative publicity and perception. Companies in the oil and gas sector may be adversely affected by natural disasters or other catastrophes, changes in exchange rates, interest rates, changes in prices for competitive energy services, economic conditions, tax treatment, government regulation and intervention, and unfavorable events in the regions where companies operate (
e.g
., expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and repatriation of capital, military coups, social unrest, violence or labor unrest). As a result, the value of these companies may fluctuate widely. Companies in the oil and gas sector may have significant capital investments in, or engage in transactions involving, emerging market countries, which may heighten these risks. Any of these factors could result in a material adverse impact on the Portfolio’s securities and the performance of the Portfolio.
 
Natural Resources Sector Risk:
The profitability of companies in the natural resources sector can be adversely affected by worldwide energy prices and other world events, limits on and the success of exploration projects, and production spending. Companies in the natural resources sector also could be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, interest rates or inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning such rates, changes in the supply of, or the demand for, natural resources, imposition of import controls, government regulation and intervention, civil conflict, economic conditions, increased competition, technological developments, and labor relations. In addition, companies in the natural resources sector may be subject to the risks generally associated with extraction of natural resources, such as the risks of mining and oil drilling, and the risks of the hazards associated with natural resources, such as natural or man-made disasters, fire, drought, liability for environmental damage claims, and increased regulatory and environmental costs. Prices of precious metals and of precious metal related securities have historically been very volatile due to various economic, financial, social and political factors and may adversely affect the financial condition of companies involved with precious metals. Any of these factors could result in a material adverse impact on the Portfolio’s securities and the performance of the Portfolio.
 
Mid-Cap, Small-Cap and Micro-Cap Company Risk:
Mid-cap, small-cap and micro-cap companies carry additional risks because the operating histories of these companies tend to be more limited, their earnings and revenues less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses), and their share prices more volatile than those of larger, more established companies, all of which can negatively affect their value. In general, these risks are greater for small-cap and micro-cap companies than for mid-cap companies.
 
Foreign Securities Risk:
Investments in foreign securities involve risks in addition to those associated with investments in U.S. securities. Foreign markets may be less liquid, more volatile and subject to less government supervision and regulation than U.S. markets, and it may take more time to clear and settle trades involving foreign securities, which could negatively impact the Portfolio’s investments and cause it to lose money. Security values also may be negatively affected by changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Differences between U.S. and foreign legal, political and economic systems, regulatory regimes and market practices, as well as trade barriers and other protectionist trade policies (including those of the U.S.), governmental instability, or other political or economic actions, also may adversely impact security values. World markets, or those in a particular region, may all react in similar fashion to important economic, political or other developments. Events and evolving conditions in certain economies or markets may alter the risks associated with investments tied to countries or regions that historically were perceived as comparatively stable and make such investments riskier and more volatile. Regardless of where a company is organized or its stock is traded, its performance may be significantly affected by
events in regions from which it derives its profits or in which it conducts significant operations.
 
Currency Risk:
Investments that are denominated in or that provide exposure to foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Any such decline may erode or reverse any potential gains from an investment in securities denominated in foreign currency or may widen existing loss. In the case of hedging positions, there is the risk that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time.
 
Emerging Markets Risk:
Investments in emerging market countries are more susceptible to loss than investments in more developed foreign countries and may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, technical and other risks different from, or greater than, the risks of investing in more developed foreign countries. Emerging market countries may be more likely to experience rapid and significant adverse developments in their political or economic structures, intervene in financial markets, restrict foreign investments, impose high withholding or other taxes on foreign investments, impose restrictive exchange control regulations, or nationalize or expropriate the assets of private companies, which may have negative impacts on transaction costs, market price, investment returns and the legal rights and remedies available to the Portfolio. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries generally are smaller, less liquid and more volatile than those of more developed foreign countries, and emerging market countries often have less uniformity in regulatory, accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements or standards, which may impact the availability and quality of information about issuers, and less reliable clearance and settlement, registration and custodial procedures. Securities of issuers traded on foreign exchanges may be suspended. The likelihood of such suspensions may be higher for securities of issuers in emerging market countries than in countries with more developed markets. The risks associated with investments in emerging market countries often are significant, and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and company to company.
 
Risks Related to Investments in Underlying ETFs
:
The Portfolio’s shareholders will indirectly bear the fees and expenses paid by the Underlying ETFs in which it invests, in addition to the Portfolio’s direct fees and expenses. The cost of investing in the Portfolio, therefore, may be higher than the cost of investing in a mutual fund that invests directly in individual stocks and bonds. The Portfolio’s performance depends upon a favorable allocation by the Adviser among the Underlying ETFs, as well as the ability of the Underlying ETFs to generate favorable performance. The Underlying ETFs’ investment programs may not be complementary, which could adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance. The Portfolio’s net asset value is subject to fluctuations in the market values of the Underlying ETFs in which it invests. The Portfolio is also subject to the risks associated with the securities or other investments in which the Underlying ETFs invest, and the ability of the Portfolio to meet its investment objective will directly depend on the ability of the Underlying ETFs to meet their investment objectives. An index-based ETF’s performance may not match that of the index it seeks to track. An actively managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objective. It is also possible that an active trading market for an Underlying ETF may not develop or be maintained, in which case the liquidity and value of the Portfolio’s investment in the Underlying ETF could be substantially and adversely affected. The extent to which the investment performance and risks associated with the Portfolio correlate to those of a particular Underlying ETF will depend upon the extent to which the Portfolio’s assets are allocated from time to time for investment in the Underlying ETF, which will vary.
 
Portfolio Management Risk:
The Portfolio is subject to the risk that strategies used by an investment manager and its securities selections fail to produce the intended results. An investment manager’s judgments or decisions about the quality, relative yield or value of, or market trends affecting, a particular security or issuer, industry, sector, region or market segment, or about the economy or interest rates, may be incorrect or otherwise may not produce the intended results, which may result in losses to the Portfolio. In addition, many processes used in Portfolio management, including security selection, rely, in whole or in part, on the use of various technologies. The Portfolio may suffer losses if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the quantitative, analytic or other tools, resources, information and data used, or the analyses employed or relied on, by an investment manager, or if such tools, resources, information or data are used incorrectly, fail to produce the desired results, or otherwise do not work as intended. There can be no assurance that the use of these technologies will result in effective investment decisions for the Portfolio.
 
Commodity Risk:
Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, and changes in those markets may cause the Portfolio’s holdings to lose value. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors including changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, trade policies and tariffs, war, acts of terrorism, changes in exchange rates, domestic or foreign interest rates or inflation rates and/or investor expectations concerning such rates, and trading activities in commodities. The prices of various commodities may also be affected by factors such as drought, floods and weather, livestock disease and embargoes, tariffs and other regulatory developments. The prices of commodities can also fluctuate widely due to supply and demand disruptions in major producing or consuming regions. Certain commodities may be produced in a limited number of countries
and may be controlled by a small number of producers. As a result, political, economic and supply-related events in such countries could have a disproportionate impact on the prices of such commodities. Securities of companies that are dependent on a single commodity, or are concentrated in a single commodity sector, may exhibit even higher volatility attributable to commodity prices.
 
Large-Cap Company Risk:
Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, which may lead to a decline in their market price. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
 
Sector Risk:
To the extent the Portfolio invests more heavily in particular sectors, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The industries that constitute a sector may all react in the same way to economic, political or regulatory events.
 
Securities Lending Risk:
 The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to seek income. There is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligations to return loaned securities. The Portfolio will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral and may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to meet obligations to the borrower. Securities lending may introduce leverage into the Portfolio. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of loaned securities from borrowers, which could interfere with the Portfolio’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney The value of your investment may fall, sometimes sharply, and you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading  Risk/Return Bar Chart and Table
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
 
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for the past one- and five-year and since inception periods through December 31, 2020 compared to the returns of a broad-based securities market index. The additional broad-based securities market index shows how the Portfolio’s performance compared with the returns of another index that has characteristics relevant to the Portfolio’s investment strategies. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.
 
The performance results do not reflect any Contract-related fees and expenses, which would reduce the performance results.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolio’s average annual total returns for the past one- and five-year and since inception periods through December 31, 2020 compared to the returns of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text] rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex The additional broad-based securities market index shows how the Portfolio’s performance compared with the returns of another index that has characteristics relevant to the Portfolio’s investment strategies.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance is not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Annual Total Returns — Class IB
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
 
   
Best quarter (% and time period)
 
Worst quarter (% and time period)
33.74% (2020 4th Quarter)
 
–51.79% (2020 1st Quarter)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns
1290 VT Energy Portfolio | Class IB Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) rr_ShareholderFeeOther
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.50%
Distribution and/or Service Fees (12b-1 fees) rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.28% [2]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.32%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.35%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (3.42%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.93%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 95
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,006
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,929
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 4,290
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 95
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,006
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,929
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 4,290
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 (15.18%)
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (24.77%)
2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 23.17%
2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 (1.90%)
2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (22.28%)
2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 10.59%
2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 (25.02%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2020
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 33.74%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (51.79%)
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (25.02%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.88%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (9.10%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 28, 2013
1290 VT Energy Portfolio | Class K Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) rr_ShareholderFeeOther
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.50%
Distribution and/or Service Fees (12b-1 fees) rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.45% [2]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.32%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.27%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (2.59%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.68%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 69
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 764
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,482
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 3,389
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 69
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 764
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,482
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 3,389
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (24.85%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.64%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (8.88%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 28, 2013
1290 VT Energy Portfolio | Energy Select Sector Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (32.84%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.75%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (7.38%)
1290 VT Energy Portfolio | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.40%
[1] Shareholders of the 1290 VT Energy Portfolio have been asked to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Termination, whereby, effective mid-June 2021, the Portfolio would be merged into the 1290 VT Natural Resources Portfolio, another series of EQ Advisors Trust, also managed by EIM.
[2] Includes Tax Expense of 0.03% for Class IB and Class K shares.
[3] Pursuant to a contract, Equitable Investment Management Group, LLC (the “Adviser”) has agreed to make payments or waive its management, administrative and other fees to limit the expenses of the Portfolio through April 30, 2022 (unless the Board of Trustees consents to an earlier revision or termination of this arrangement) (“Expense Limitation Arrangement”) so that the annual operating expenses (including Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses) of the Portfolio (exclusive of taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, capitalized expenses, and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Portfolio’s business) do not exceed an annual rate of average daily net assets of 0.90% for Class IB shares and 0.65% for Class K shares of the Portfolio. The Expense Limitation Arrangement may be terminated by the Adviser at any time after April 30, 2022. The Adviser may be reimbursed the amount of any such payments or waivers made after June 30, 2020, in the future provided that the payments or waivers are reimbursed within three years of the payments or waivers being recorded and the Portfolio’s expense ratio, after the reimbursement is taken into account, does not exceed the Portfolio’s expense cap at the time of the waiver or the Portfolio’s expense cap at the time of the reimbursement, whichever is lower.