Selected Consolidated Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 2,186	$ 2,184	$ 2,191	$ 2,057	$ 2,324	$ 2,110	$ 2,088	$ 2,266	$ 8,618	$ 8,788	$ 8,716
Total benefits and expenses	1,966	2,144	2,036	1,944	2,216	2,216	2,118	2,228	8,090	8,778	8,240
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	220	40	155	113	108	(106)	(30)	38	528	10	476
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,616)	134	64	(162)	(478)	(145)	137	149	(2,580)	(337)	146
Net income (loss)	(3,083)	214	219	(142)	(375)	(251)	137	191	(2,792)	(298)	538
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	82	65	52	1	42	12	(25)	0	200	29	130
Net income (loss) available to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders	$ (3,165)	$ 149	$ 167	$ (143)	$ (417)	$ (263)	$ 162	$ 191	$ (2,992)	$ (327)	$ 408
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders, Basic (usd per share)	$ (3.06)	$ 0.08	$ 0.56	$ 0.10	$ 0.31	$ (0.59)	$ 0.12	$ 0.21	$ (2.24)	$ 0.05	$ 1.16
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes available to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders, Basic, (usd per share)	(14.58)	0.75	0.34	(0.85)	(2.45)	(0.73)	0.68	0.72	(14.01)	(1.68)	0.65
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Basic (usd per share)	(17.64)	0.83	0.90	(0.75)	(2.14)	(1.32)	0.80	0.93	(16.25)	(1.63)	1.81
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders, Diluted (usd per share)	(3.06)	0.08	0.55	0.10	0.31	(0.59)	0.12	0.21	(2.24)	0.05	1.15
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes available to Voya Financial, Inc.'s common shareholders, Diluted (usd per share)	(14.58)	0.73	0.34	(0.84)	(2.43)	(0.73)	0.67	0.71	(14.01)	(1.66)	0.65
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Diluted (usd per share)	(17.64)	0.81	0.89	(0.74)	(2.12)	(1.32)	0.79	0.92	(16.25)	(1.61)	1.80
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Antidilutive shares	3.5					1.9

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of expense recognized during the period for future policy benefits, claims and claims adjustment costs, and for selling, general and administrative costs.