Document and Entity Information - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-16707
Entity Registrant Name	Prudential Financial, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001137774
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NJ
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-3703799
Entity Address, Address Line One	751 Broad Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Newark
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	07102
City Area Code	973
Local Phone Number	802-6000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		395
Common Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $.01
Trading Symbol	PRU
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.75% Junior Subordinated Note
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.75% Junior Subordinated Notes
Trading Symbol	PJH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.70% Junior Subordinated Notes
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.70% Junior Subordinated Notes
Trading Symbol	PRH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.625% Junior Subordinated Notes
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.625% Junior Subordinated Notes
Trading Symbol	PRS
Security Exchange Name	NYSE