Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 39,663.0	$ 36,897.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	2,707.0	2,233.0
Equity securities, at fair value	196.0	247.0
Short-term investments	68.0	126.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	6,878.0	7,281.0
Policy loans	776.0	814.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	1,290.0	982.0
Derivatives	316.0	194.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Other investments	385.0	379.0
Total investments	53,687.0	50,615.0
Cash and cash equivalents	1,181.0	1,237.0	$ 854.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	1,395.0	1,293.0
Accrued investment income	505.0	529.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	3,732.0	3,843.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	2,226.0	2,973.0	2,491.0	$ 2,888.0
Current income taxes	0.0	17.0
Deferred income taxes	1,458.0	1,610.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other assets	902.0	1,027.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	2,226.0	2,310.0
Assets held in separate accounts	81,670.0	69,931.0
Assets held for sale	20,069.0	20,045.0
Total assets	169,051.0	155,430.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	9,945.0	9,587.0
Contract owner account balances	40,923.0	41,183.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	1,373.0	1,366.0
Short-term debt	1.0	1.0
Long-term debt	3,042.0	3,136.0
Derivatives	403.0	164.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	468.0	551.0
Current income taxes	27.0	0.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	1,345.0	1,375.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	474.0	540.0
Other liabilities	652.0	688.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	81,670.0	69,931.0
Liabilities held for sale	18,498.0	17,903.0
Total liabilities	158,821.0	146,425.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	9,408.0	8,213.0
Noncontrolling interest	822.0	792.0
Total shareholder's equity	10,230.0	9,005.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	169,051.0	155,430.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	1,632.0	1,421.0
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	68.0	331.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	513.0	542.0
Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	13.0	16.0
Consolidating Adjustments
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	(15.0)	(15.0)
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Equity securities, 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	(19,496.0)	(17,159.0)
Other investments	0.0	0.0
Total investments	(19,511.0)	(17,174.0)
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
Deferred income taxes	0.0	0.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	(233.0)	(83.0)
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	(8.0)	(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	(19,752.0)	(17,262.0)
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	(233.0)	(83.0)
Long-term debt	(15.0)	(15.0)
Derivatives	0.0	0.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	0.0	0.0
Current income taxes	0.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	(6.0)	(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	(256.0)	(103.0)
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	(19,496.0)	(17,159.0)
Noncontrolling interest	0.0	0.0
Total shareholder's equity	(19,496.0)	(17,159.0)
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	(19,752.0)	(17,262.0)
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	5.0	0.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Equity securities, at fair value	0.0	99.0
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	4.0	0.0
Derivatives	49.0	39.0
Investments in subsidiaries	11,003.0	10,099.0
Other investments	0.0	0.0
Total investments	11,061.0	10,237.0
Cash and cash equivalents	212.0	209.0	244.0
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		(37.0)
Deferred income taxes	816.0	553.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	164.0	79.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	2.0	2.0
Other assets	7.0	13.0
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	12,273.0	11,067.0
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	69.0	4.0
Long-term debt	2,669.0	2,763.0
Derivatives	50.0	39.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	0.0	0.0
Current income taxes	28.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	4.0	1.0
Other liabilities	45.0	47.0
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	2,865.0	2,854.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	9,408.0	8,213.0
Noncontrolling interest	0.0	0.0
Total shareholder's equity	9,408.0	8,213.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	12,273.0	11,067.0
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	0.0	0.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	0.0	0.0
Equity securities, 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	8,493.0	7,060.0
Other investments	0.0	0.0
Total investments	8,493.0	7,060.0
Cash and cash equivalents	0.0	2.0	1.0
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		26.0
Deferred income taxes	39.0	22.0
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	8,532.0	7,110.0
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	87.0	0.0
Long-term debt	371.0	371.0
Derivatives	0.0	0.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	0.0	0.0
Current income taxes	(17.0)
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0	0.0
Other liabilities	10.0	55.0
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	451.0	426.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	8,081.0	6,684.0
Noncontrolling interest	0.0	0.0
Total shareholder's equity	8,081.0	6,684.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	8,532.0	7,110.0
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	39,673.0	36,912.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	2,707.0	2,233.0
Equity securities, at fair value	196.0	148.0
Short-term investments	68.0	126.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	6,878.0	7,281.0
Policy loans	776.0	814.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	1,286.0	982.0
Derivatives	267.0	155.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0	0.0
Other investments	385.0	379.0
Total investments	53,644.0	50,492.0
Cash and cash equivalents	969.0	1,026.0	$ 609.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	1,384.0	1,282.0
Accrued investment income	505.0	529.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	3,732.0	3,843.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs, Value of business acquired	2,226.0	2,973.0
Current income taxes		28.0
Deferred income taxes	603.0	1,035.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	69.0	4.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	6.0	3.0
Other assets	895.0	1,014.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	81,670.0	69,931.0
Assets held for sale	20,069.0	20,045.0
Total assets	167,998.0	154,515.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	9,945.0	9,587.0
Contract owner account balances	40,923.0	41,183.0
Payables under securities loan agreement, including collateral held	1,373.0	1,366.0
Short-term debt	78.0	80.0
Long-term debt	17.0	17.0
Derivatives	353.0	125.0
Pension and other post-employment provisions	468.0	551.0
Current income taxes	16.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	2.0	2.0
Other liabilities	1,292.0	1,275.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	474.0	540.0
Other liabilities	652.0	688.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	81,670.0	69,931.0
Liabilities held for sale	18,498.0	17,903.0
Total liabilities	155,761.0	143,248.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	11,415.0	10,475.0
Noncontrolling interest	822.0	792.0
Total shareholder's equity	12,237.0	11,267.0
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity	167,998.0	154,515.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	1,632.0	1,421.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	68.0	331.0
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	513.0	542.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in consolidated investment entities	13.0	16.0
Collateral pledged
Investments:
Securities pledged	1,408.0	1,462.0
Collateral pledged | Consolidating Adjustments
Investments:
Securities pledged	0.0	0.0
Collateral pledged | Parent Issuer
Investments:
Securities pledged	0.0	0.0
Collateral pledged | Subsidiary Guarantor
Investments:
Securities pledged	0.0	0.0
Collateral pledged | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Investments:
Securities pledged	$ 1,408.0	$ 1,462.0