Business Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Held for Sale Income Statements (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
Benefits and expenses:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (2,616)	$ 134	$ 64	$ (162)	$ (478)	$ (145)	$ 137	$ 149	$ (2,580)	$ (337)	$ 146
VIAC and DSL | Held for sale
Revenues:
Net investment income									1,266	1,288	1,217
Fee income									801	889	1,011
Premiums									190	720	470
Total net realized capital gains (losses)									(1,234)	(900)	(173)
Other revenue									19	19	22
Total revenues									1,042	2,016	2,547
Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited and other benefits to contract owners/policyholders									978	2,199	1,812
Operating expenses									250	283	319
Net amortization of Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired									127	136	286
Interest expense									22	22	22
Total benefits and expenses									1,377	2,640	2,439
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes									(335)	(624)	108
Income tax expense (benefit)									(178)	(287)	(38)
Loss on sale, net of Tax									(2,423)	0	0
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations									$ (2,580)	$ (337)	$ 146