Dispositions - Separation of Brighthouse - Agreements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 04, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Other Liabilities		$ 22,964	$ 23,982
Net cash paid (received) for Income tax		1,935	1,530	$ 672
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable		940	(2,796)	$ (1,522)
Other Assets		8,408	8,167
Taxes Payable, Current		441	311
Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Current income tax recoverable			726		$ 1,400
Net cash paid (received) for Income tax	$ 729
Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party			(726)		$ (1,400)
Discontinued Operation, Tax separation agreement Expense			1,093
Decrease to current income tax recoverable			1,093
Other Assets			333
Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Current income tax recoverable		183
Other Liabilities		183
Other Assets		330
Amounts paid in accordance with the tax separation agreements [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net cash paid (received) for Income tax		909
Possible Change in Tax Assessment | Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Other Liabilities		43
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable		68
Other Assets		111
Taxes Payable, Current		$ 111
Impact of U.S. Tax Reform | Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Other Assets			$ 222