Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $44,366 as of 2017 and $44,743 as of 2016)	$ 48,329.0	$ 47,394.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	3,018.0	3,065.0
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	380.0	258.0
Short-term investments	471.0	391.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	8,686.0	8,003.0
Policy loans	1,888.0	1,943.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	784.0	536.0
Derivatives	397.0	737.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Other investments	47.0	47.0
Securities pledged	2,087.0	1,409.0
Total investments	66,087.0	63,783.0
Cash and cash equivalents	1,218.0	2,096.0	$ 1,817.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	1,626.0	586.0
Accrued investment income	667.0	666.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	7,632.0	7,287.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	3,374.0	3,997.0	4,421.0	$ 3,678.0
Current income taxes	4.0	164.0
Deferred income taxes	781.0	1,570.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other assets	1,310.0	1,486.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	3,176.0	4,056.0
Assets held in separate accounts	77,605.0	66,185.0
Assets held for sale	59,052.0	62,709.0
Total assets	222,532.0	214,585.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	15,647.0	14,575.0
Contract owner account balances	50,158.0	50,273.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	1,866.0	969.0
Short-term debt	337.0	0.0
Long-term debt	3,123.0	3,550.0
Derivatives	149.0	297.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	550.0	674.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	2,076.0	2,023.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	1,047.0	1,967.0
Other liabilities	658.0	528.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	77,605.0	66,185.0
Liabilities held for sale	58,277.0	59,576.0
Total liabilities	211,493.0	200,617.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	10,009.0	12,995.0
Noncontrolling interest	1,030.0	973.0
Total shareholder's equity	11,039.0	13,968.0		$ 18,562.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	222,532.0	214,585.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	1,795.0	1,936.0
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	217.0	133.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	1,089.0	1,953.0
Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	75.0	34.0
Consolidating Adjustments
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $44,366 as of 2017 and $44,743 as of 2016)	(15.0)	(15.0)
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0.0	0.0
Short-term investments	0.0	0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	0.0	0.0
Policy loans	0.0	0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	0.0	0.0
Derivatives	(97.0)	(112.0)
Investments in subsidiaries	(19,911.0)	(25,541.0)
Other investments	0.0	0.0
Securities pledged	0.0	0.0
Total investments	(20,023.0)	(25,668.0)
Cash and cash equivalents	0.0	0.0	0.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	0.0	0.0
Accrued investment income	0.0	0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	0.0	0.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	0.0	0.0
Current income taxes	0.0	0.0
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	(609.0)	(289.0)
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	(5.0)	(5.0)
Other assets	0.0	0.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	0.0	0.0
Assets held for sale	0.0	0.0
Total assets	(20,637.0)	(25,962.0)
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	0.0	0.0
Contract owner account balances	0.0	0.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	0.0	0.0
Short-term debt	(609.0)	(289.0)
Long-term debt	(15.0)	(15.0)
Derivatives	(97.0)	(112.0)
Pension and other post-employment provisions	0.0	0.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	(3.0)	(3.0)
Other liabilities	(2.0)	(2.0)
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	0.0	0.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0.0	0.0
Liabilities held for sale	0.0	0.0
Total liabilities	(726.0)	(421.0)
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	(19,911.0)	(25,541.0)
Noncontrolling interest	0.0	0.0
Total shareholder's equity	(19,911.0)	(25,541.0)
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	(20,637.0)	(25,962.0)
Consolidating Adjustments | Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Consolidating Adjustments | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Consolidating Adjustments | Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Consolidating Adjustments | Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Parent Issuer
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $44,366 as of 2017 and $44,743 as of 2016)	0.0	0.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	115.0	93.0
Short-term investments	212.0	212.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	0.0	0.0
Policy loans	0.0	0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	0.0	0.0
Derivatives	49.0	56.0
Investments in subsidiaries	12,293.0	14,743.0
Other investments	0.0	0.0
Securities pledged	0.0	0.0
Total investments	12,669.0	15,104.0
Cash and cash equivalents	244.0	257.0	378.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	11.0	11.0
Accrued investment income	0.0	0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	0.0	0.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	0.0	0.0
Current income taxes	0.0	31.0
Deferred income taxes	406.0	527.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	191.0	278.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	2.0	3.0
Other assets	16.0	21.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	0.0	0.0
Assets held for sale	0.0	0.0
Total assets	13,539.0	16,232.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	0.0	0.0
Contract owner account balances	0.0	0.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	0.0	0.0
Short-term debt	755.0	11.0
Long-term debt	2,681.0	3,108.0
Derivatives	49.0	56.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	0.0	0.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	1.0	0.0
Other liabilities	44.0	62.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	0.0	0.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0.0	0.0
Liabilities held for sale	0.0	0.0
Total liabilities	3,530.0	3,237.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	10,009.0	12,995.0
Noncontrolling interest	0.0	0.0
Total shareholder's equity	10,009.0	12,995.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	13,539.0	16,232.0
Parent Issuer | Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Parent Issuer | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Parent Issuer | Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Parent Issuer | Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Subsidiary Guarantor
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $44,366 as of 2017 and $44,743 as of 2016)	0.0	0.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0.0	0.0
Short-term investments	0.0	0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	0.0	0.0
Policy loans	0.0	0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	0.0	0.0
Derivatives	0.0	0.0
Investments in subsidiaries	7,618.0	10,798.0
Other investments	1.0	1.0
Securities pledged	0.0	0.0
Total investments	7,619.0	10,799.0
Cash and cash equivalents	1.0	2.0	18.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	0.0	0.0
Accrued investment income	0.0	0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	0.0	0.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	0.0	0.0
Current income taxes	6.0	9.0
Deferred income taxes	22.0	37.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other assets	0.0	0.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	0.0	0.0
Assets held for sale	0.0	0.0
Total assets	7,648.0	10,847.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	0.0	0.0
Contract owner account balances	0.0	0.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	0.0	0.0
Short-term debt	68.0	211.0
Long-term debt	438.0	437.0
Derivatives	0.0	0.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	0.0	0.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	12.0	13.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	0.0	0.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0.0	0.0
Liabilities held for sale	0.0	0.0
Total liabilities	518.0	661.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	7,130.0	10,186.0
Noncontrolling interest	0.0	0.0
Total shareholder's equity	7,130.0	10,186.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	7,648.0	10,847.0
Subsidiary Guarantor | Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Subsidiary Guarantor | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Subsidiary Guarantor | Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Subsidiary Guarantor | Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	0.0	0.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $44,366 as of 2017 and $44,743 as of 2016)	48,344.0	47,409.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	3,018.0	3,065.0
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	265.0	165.0
Short-term investments	259.0	179.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	8,686.0	8,003.0
Policy loans	1,888.0	1,943.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	784.0	536.0
Derivatives	445.0	793.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Other investments	46.0	46.0
Securities pledged	2,087.0	1,409.0
Total investments	65,822.0	63,548.0
Cash and cash equivalents	973.0	1,837.0	$ 1,421.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	1,615.0	575.0
Accrued investment income	667.0	666.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	7,632.0	7,287.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	3,374.0	3,997.0
Current income taxes	(2.0)	124.0
Deferred income taxes	353.0	1,006.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	418.0	11.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	3.0	2.0
Other assets	1,294.0	1,465.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	77,605.0	66,185.0
Assets held for sale	59,052.0	62,709.0
Total assets	221,982.0	213,468.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	15,647.0	14,575.0
Contract owner account balances	50,158.0	50,273.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	1,866.0	969.0
Short-term debt	123.0	67.0
Long-term debt	19.0	20.0
Derivatives	197.0	353.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	550.0	674.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	2.0	3.0
Other liabilities	2,022.0	1,950.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	1,047.0	1,967.0
Other liabilities	658.0	528.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	77,605.0	66,185.0
Liabilities held for sale	58,277.0	59,576.0
Total liabilities	208,171.0	197,140.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	12,781.0	15,355.0
Noncontrolling interest	1,030.0	973.0
Total shareholder's equity	13,811.0	16,328.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	221,982.0	213,468.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	1,795.0	1,936.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	217.0	133.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	1,089.0	1,953.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	$ 75.0	$ 34.0