Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 639	$ (1,400)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	315	291
Policy charges and fee income	(840)	(949)
Net derivative (gains) losses	(821)	2,546
Credit losses on AFS debt securities and loans	(10)	(1)
Investment (gains) losses, net	336	(182)
(Gains) losses on businesses HFS	0	(1)
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities	92	41
Non-cash long term incentive compensation expense	38	41
Amortization and depreciation	180	153
Equity (income) loss from limited partnerships	(71)	(107)
Changes in:
Net broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables	11	(328)
Reinsurance recoverable	(376)	(79)
Segregated cash and securities, net	(189)	341
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(209)	(186)
Future policy benefits	180	60
Current and deferred income taxes	93	(429)
Other, net	(98)	175
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(730)	(14)
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	8,651	9,257
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	252	109
Mortgage loans on real estate	280	245
Trading account securities	45	799
Real estate joint ventures	0	0
Short term investments	6	18
Other	167	775
Payment for the purchase/origination of:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(9,198)	(10,240)
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	(254)	(322)
Mortgage loans on real estate	(688)	(352)
Trading account securities	(44)	(70)
Short term investments	(304)	(5)
Other	569	(1,157)
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments	230	(2,973)
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment	1	(23)
Other, net	116	188
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(171)	(3,751)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits	3,228	7,236
Withdrawals	(2,257)	(1,467)
Transfers (to) from Separate Accounts	454	497
Change in short-term financings	112	185
Change in collateralized pledged assets	(40)	(1,392)
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities	545	96
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable	(15)	1
Repayment of long-term debt	0	(280)
Proceeds from notes issued by consolidated VIEs	(11)	11
Dividends paid on common stock	(70)	(74)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(14)	(13)
Issuance of preferred stock	0	293
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards	(14)	(36)
Purchase of treasury shares	(279)	(430)
Purchases (redemptions) of noncontrolling interests of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds	(56)	(7)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest of consolidated subsidiaries	(139)	(108)
Increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreement to repurchase	0	0
Other, net	(7)	(76)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,437	4,436
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(11)	(2)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	525	669
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	5,188	6,179
Change in cash of businesses held-for-sale	0	(53)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	5,713	6,795
Non-cash transactions from investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 29	$ 26