Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0	0
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Prudential Financial
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Cash and short-term investments at carrying value excluding intercompany liquidity account	$ 4,061
Gibraltar Life
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Japan Permitted Percentage of Statutory Earnings w/o approval	83.00%
RBC or solvency margin capital in excess of the regulatory required minimums	3.50
Prudential Insurance
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Unassigned Surplus	$ 7,511
Percentage exceed the greater/lesser of statutory surplus	10.00%
Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage exceed the greater/lesser of statutory surplus	10.00%
POJ
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Japan Permitted Percentage of Statutory Earnings w/o approval	83.00%
Japan-Retained Earnings Level- Permitted Percentage of Prior Year Statutory Earnings	100.00%
RBC or solvency margin capital in excess of the regulatory required minimums	3.5
Prudential International Insurance Holdings
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Dividends Received	$ 1,065
Permitted to be paid in 2020 | Prudential Insurance
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments without Regulatory Approval	1,148
Permitted to be paid in 2020 | Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments without Regulatory Approval	$ 204