Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (3,083)	$ 214	$ 219	$ (142)	$ (375)	$ (251)	$ 137	$ 191	$ (2,792)	$ (298)	$ 538
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									1,191	749	(2,581)
Other-than-temporary impairments									(2)	24	19
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(15)	(10)	(14)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									1,174	763	(2,576)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									364	267	(897)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									810	496	(1,679)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(1,982)	198	(1,141)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									200	29	130
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders									(2,182)	169	(1,271)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									5,379	(143)	(747)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									(2,004)	(1,342)	4,456
Other-than-temporary impairments									7	(44)	(32)
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									18	12	17
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									(1,979)	(1,374)	4,441
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									(622)	(498)	1,546
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									(1,357)	(876)	2,895
Comprehensive income (loss)									4,022	(1,019)	2,148
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders									4,022	(1,019)	2,148
Parent Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(2,992)	(327)	408
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									1,191	749	(2,581)
Other-than-temporary impairments									(2)	24	19
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(15)	(10)	(14)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									1,174	763	(2,576)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									364	267	(897)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									810	496	(1,679)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(2,182)	169	(1,271)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders									(2,182)	169	(1,271)
Subsidiary Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(2,662)	286	207
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									813	593	(1,875)
Other-than-temporary impairments									(5)	20	13
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(3)	(2)	(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									805	611	(1,865)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									258	214	(648)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									547	397	(1,217)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(2,115)	683	(1,010)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders									(2,115)	683	(1,010)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(2,517)	(114)	670
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									1,191	749	(2,581)
Other-than-temporary impairments									(2)	24	19
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(15)	(10)	(14)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									1,174	763	(2,576)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									364	284	(898)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									810	479	(1,678)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(1,707)	365	(1,008)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									200	29	130
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders									$ (1,907)	$ 336	$ (1,138)