Discontinued Operation, Separation Costs, net of Income Tax

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Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, before loss on disposal of discontinued operations

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Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision for income tax and loss on disposal of discontinued operations

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Tax charges associated with the Separation

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Amount after tax of gain (loss) not previously recognized resulting from the disposal of a discontinued operation.

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Amount of tax expense (benefit) related to a discontinued operation. Includes, but is not limited to, tax expense (benefit) related to income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, tax expense (benefit) related to gain (loss) on disposal, tax expense (benefit) related to gain (loss) for reversal of write-down (write-down) to fair value, less cost to sell, and tax expense (benefit) related to adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount of operating expense attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

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Amount of other expense attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

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Amount of other income attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

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Amount of revenue attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

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Amount after tax of income (loss) from a discontinued operation including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Includes, but is not limited to, the income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, gain (loss) for reversal of write-down (write-down) to fair value, less cost to sell, and adjustments to a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Dispositions - Separation of Brighthouse - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	$ 0	$ (968)	$ 58	$ (76)	$ (1,370)	$ (435)	$ (1,361)	$ 432	$ (986)	$ (2,734)	$ 1,324
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									3,845	2,880	8,660
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Income									150	74	58
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Expenses									853	1,333	2,043
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expenses									3,706	7,221	6,882
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision for income tax and loss on disposal of discontinued operations									139	(4,341)	1,778
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation									(46)	(1,607)	454
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax									185	(2,734)	1,324
Discontinued Operation, Separation cost, net									(216)	0	0
Tax charges associated with the Separation									(955)	0	0
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax									(1,171)	0	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									(986)	(2,734)	1,324
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Premiums
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									820	1,951	2,142
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									2,201	3,724	3,936
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Net investment income
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									1,783	3,157	3,038
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Total net investment gains (losses)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									(48)	(140)	(48)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Net derivative gains (losses)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue									(1,061)	(5,886)	(466)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Policyholder benefits and claims
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expenses									2,217	4,487	3,612
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Interest credited to policyholder account balances
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expenses									620	1,107	1,195
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Policyholder dividend expense
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expenses									16	34	32
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] \| Goodwill impairment
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expenses									$ 0	$ 260	$ 0