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Segments - Operating Earnings Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 66	$ 149	$ 243	$ 102	$ 126	$ 229	$ 165	$ 8	$ 560	$ 528	$ 385
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	6	19	26	(1)	57	26	62	0	50	145	217
Less: Preferred stock dividends	$ 4	$ 14	$ 0	$ 10	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	28	0	0
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted operating earnings before income taxes											(539)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted operating earnings before income taxes									591	651	292
Operating Segments \| Retirement
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted operating earnings before income taxes									588	701	456
Operating Segments \| Investment Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted operating earnings before income taxes									180	205	248
Operating Segments \| Employee Benefits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted operating earnings before income taxes									199	160	127
Operating Segments \| Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted operating earnings before income taxes									(376)	(415)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(31)	(123)	93
Net investment gains (losses) and related charges and adjustments									25	(124)	(112)
Net guaranteed benefit hedging gains (losses) and related charges and adjustments									(14)	62	46
Income (loss) related to businesses exited or to be exited through reinsurance or divestment									98	(40)	59
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									50	145	217
Income (loss) related to early extinguishment of debt									(12)	(40)	(4)
Immediate recognition of net actuarial gains (losses) related to pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and gains (losses) from plan amendments and curtailments									3	(47)	(16)
Other adjustments to operating earnings									$ (209)	$ (79)	$ (97)