Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 05, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 13, 2016	Mar. 17, 2015	Jul. 26, 2013	May 16, 2013	Feb. 11, 2013	Jul. 13, 2012
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan					1.875%
5.5% Senior Notes, due 2022 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	5.50%		5.50%						5.50%
2.9% Senior Notes, due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	2.90%		2.90%
2.9% Senior Notes, due 2018 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	2.90%		2.90%					2.90%
5.7% Senior Notes, due 2043 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	5.70%		5.70%			5.70%
3.65% Senior Notes, due 2026 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	3.65%		3.65%	3.65%
4.8% Senior Notes, due 2046 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	4.80%		4.80%	4.80%
3.125% Senior Notes, due 2024 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	3.125%	3.125%	0.00%
5.65% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, due 2053 | Junior Subordinated Notes (2053 Notes)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on loan	5.65%		5.65%				5.65%
Voya Holdings Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by the company	100.00%