Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Condensed Statements of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
REVENUES
Net investment income									$ 17,585	$ 16,176	$ 16,435
Realized investment gains (losses), net									(459)	1,977	432
Other income (loss)									3,262	(1,042)	1,301
Total revenues	$ 19,223	$ 15,105	$ 15,388	$ 15,091	$ 18,432	$ 16,148	$ 14,655	$ 13,757	64,807	62,992	59,689
EXPENSES
Interest expense									1,550	1,420	1,327
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES									5,085	4,834	6,487
Total income tax expense (benefit)									947	822	(1,438)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES									4,138	4,012	7,925
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									100	76	49
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.	$ 1,128	$ 1,418	$ 708	$ 932	$ 842	$ 1,672	$ 197	$ 1,363	4,186	4,074	7,863
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.									17,312	(2,900)	10,316
Prudential Financial
REVENUES
Net investment income									203	168	92
Realized investment gains (losses), net									(250)	106	(73)
Affiliated interest revenue									362	374	379
Other income (loss)									21	(7)	(79)
Total revenues									336	641	319
EXPENSES
General and administrative expenses									92	126	126
Interest expense									1,161	1,087	1,057
Total expenses									1,253	1,213	1,183
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES									(917)	(572)	(864)
Total income tax expense (benefit)									(223)	(130)	(397)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES									(694)	(442)	(467)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									4,880	4,516	8,330
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.									4,186	4,074	7,863
Other Comprehensive Income (loss)									13,126	(6,974)	2,453
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.									$ 17,312	$ (2,900)	$ 10,316