Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statements of Comprehensive Income (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
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (766)	$ 140	$ 252	$ 73	$ 177	$ 168	$ 229	$ 446	$ (301)	$ 1,020	$ (2,775)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									3,013	(2,810)	1,191
Other-than-temporary impairments									3	32	(2)
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(4)	(11)	(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									3,012	(2,789)	1,174
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									631	(693)	364
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									2,381	(2,096)	810
Comprehensive income (loss)									2,080	(1,076)	(1,965)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									50	145	217
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.									2,030	(1,221)	(2,182)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									72	(2,341)	5,379
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									(5,303)	4,953	(2,004)
Other-than-temporary impairments									(5)	(62)	7
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									6	13	18
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									(5,302)	4,904	(1,979)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									(1,110)	1,106	(622)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									(4,192)	3,798	(1,357)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(4,120)	1,457	4,022
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.									(4,120)	1,457	4,022
Parent Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(351)	875	(2,992)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									3,013	(2,810)	1,191
Other-than-temporary impairments									3	32	(2)
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(4)	(11)	(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									3,012	(2,789)	1,174
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									631	(693)	364
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									2,381	(2,096)	810
Comprehensive income (loss)									2,030	(1,221)	(2,182)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.									2,030	(1,221)	(2,182)
Subsidiary Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									346	1,587	(2,662)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									2,290	(2,143)	813
Other-than-temporary impairments									2	30	(5)
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(2)	(2)	(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									2,290	(2,115)	805
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									479	(412)	258
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									1,811	(1,703)	547
Comprehensive income (loss)									2,157	(116)	(2,115)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.									2,157	(116)	(2,115)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(368)	899	(2,500)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities									3,013	(2,810)	1,191
Other-than-temporary impairments									3	32	(2)
Pension and other postretirement benefits liability									(4)	(11)	(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax									3,012	(2,789)	1,174
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									631	(694)	364
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax									2,381	(2,095)	810
Comprehensive income (loss)									2,013	(1,196)	(1,690)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									50	145	217
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Voya Financial, Inc.									$ 1,963	$ (1,341)	$ (1,907)