Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 42,330.0		$ 39,663.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	3,014.0		2,707.0
Equity securities, at fair value	371.0		196.0
Short-term investments	70.0		68.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	6,817.0		6,878.0
Less: Allowance for credit losses	55.0		0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net	6,762.0		6,878.0
Policy loans	735.0		776.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	1,383.0		1,290.0
Derivatives	270.0		316.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0		0.0
Other investments	319.0		385.0
Total investments	56,081.0		53,687.0
Cash and cash equivalents	1,052.0		1,181.0	$ 1,155.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	664.0		1,395.0
Accrued investment income	545.0		505.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	3,676.0		3,732.0
Less: Allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverable	19.0		0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	3,657.0		3,732.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired	1,669.0		2,226.0	2,198.0		$ 2,973.0
Deferred income taxes	1,314.0		1,458.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0		0.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0		0.0
Other assets	812.0		902.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	82,879.0		81,670.0
Assets held for sale	20,180.0		20,069.0
Total assets	171,466.0		169,051.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	10,295.0		9,945.0
Contract owner account balances	42,187.0		40,923.0
Payables under securities loan and repurchase agreements, including collateral held	575.0		1,373.0
Short-term debt	1.0		1.0
Long-term debt	3,043.0		3,042.0
Derivatives	434.0		403.0
Pension and other postretirement provisions	375.0		468.0
Current income taxes	9.0		27.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0		0.0
Other liabilities	1,419.0		1,345.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	538.0		474.0
Other liabilities	834.0		652.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	82,879.0		81,670.0
Liabilities held for sale	18,232.0		18,498.0
Total liabilities	160,821.0		158,821.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	9,657.0		9,408.0
Noncontrolling interest	988.0		822.0
Total shareholders' equity	10,645.0	$ 10,289.0	10,230.0	11,213.0	$ 10,740.0	$ 8,941.0
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	171,466.0		169,051.0
Consolidating Adjustments
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	(14.0)		(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
Less: Allowance for credit losses	0.0		0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net	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	(20,248.0)		(19,496.0)
Other investments	0.0		0.0
Total investments	(20,262.0)		(19,511.0)
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
Less: Allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverable	0.0		0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	0.0		0.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired	0.0		0.0
Deferred income taxes	0.0		0.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	(649.0)		(233.0)
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	(7.0)		(8.0)
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	(20,918.0)		(19,752.0)
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	0.0		0.0
Contract owner account balances	0.0		0.0
Payables under securities loan and repurchase agreements, including collateral held	0.0		0.0
Short-term debt	(649.0)		(233.0)
Long-term debt	(15.0)		(15.0)
Derivatives	0.0		0.0
Pension and other postretirement provisions	0.0		0.0
Current income taxes	0.0		0.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	(5.0)		(6.0)
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	(671.0)		(256.0)
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	(20,247.0)		(19,496.0)
Noncontrolling interest	0.0		0.0
Total shareholders' equity	(20,247.0)		(19,496.0)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	(20,918.0)		(19,752.0)
Parent Issuer
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	5.0		5.0
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
Less: Allowance for credit losses	0.0		0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net	0.0		0.0
Policy loans	0.0		0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	6.0		4.0
Derivatives	52.0		49.0
Investments in subsidiaries	11,501.0		11,003.0
Other investments	0.0		0.0
Total investments	11,564.0		11,061.0
Cash and cash equivalents	223.0		212.0	211.0
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
Less: Allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverable	0.0		0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	0.0		0.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired	0.0		0.0
Deferred income taxes	839.0		816.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	219.0		164.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	5.0		2.0
Other assets	5.0		7.0
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	12,866.0		12,273.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	0.0		0.0
Contract owner account balances	0.0		0.0
Payables under securities loan and repurchase agreements, including collateral held	4.0		0.0
Short-term debt	431.0		69.0
Long-term debt	2,670.0		2,669.0
Derivatives	48.0		50.0
Pension and other postretirement provisions	0.0		0.0
Current income taxes	1.0		28.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0		4.0
Other liabilities	55.0		45.0
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	3,209.0		2,865.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	9,657.0		9,408.0
Noncontrolling interest	0.0		0.0
Total shareholders' equity	9,657.0		9,408.0
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	12,866.0		12,273.0
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
Less: Allowance for credit losses	0.0		0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net	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	8,747.0		8,493.0
Other investments	0.0		0.0
Total investments	8,747.0		8,493.0
Cash and cash equivalents	1.0		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
Less: Allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverable	0.0		0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	0.0		0.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired	0.0		0.0
Deferred income taxes	37.0		39.0
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	8,785.0		8,532.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	0.0		0.0
Contract owner account balances	0.0		0.0
Payables under securities loan and repurchase agreements, including collateral held	0.0		0.0
Short-term debt	40.0		87.0
Long-term debt	371.0		371.0
Derivatives	0.0		0.0
Pension and other postretirement provisions	0.0		0.0
Current income taxes	(27.0)		(17.0)
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	0.0		0.0
Other liabilities	5.0		10.0
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	389.0		451.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	8,396.0		8,081.0
Noncontrolling interest	0.0		0.0
Total shareholders' equity	8,396.0		8,081.0
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	8,785.0		8,532.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	42,339.0		39,673.0
Fixed maturities, at fair value using the fair value option	3,014.0		2,707.0
Equity securities, at fair value	371.0		196.0
Short-term investments	70.0		68.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net of valuation allowance	6,817.0		6,878.0
Less: Allowance for credit losses	55.0		0.0
Mortgage loans on real estate, net	6,762.0		6,878.0
Policy loans	735.0		776.0
Limited partnerships/corporations	1,377.0		1,286.0
Derivatives	218.0		267.0
Investments in subsidiaries	0.0		0.0
Other investments	319.0		385.0
Total investments	56,032.0		53,644.0
Cash and cash equivalents	828.0		969.0	$ 944.0
Short-term investments under securities loan agreements, including collateral delivered	653.0		1,384.0
Accrued investment income	545.0		505.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	3,676.0		3,732.0
Less: Allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverable	19.0		0.0
Premium receivable and reinsurance recoverable	3,657.0		3,732.0
Deferred policy acquisition costs and Value of business acquired	1,669.0		2,226.0
Deferred income taxes	438.0		603.0
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates	430.0		69.0
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates	2.0		6.0
Other assets	807.0		895.0
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets held in separate accounts	82,879.0		81,670.0
Assets held for sale	20,180.0		20,069.0
Total assets	170,733.0		167,998.0
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Future policy benefits	10,295.0		9,945.0
Contract owner account balances	42,187.0		40,923.0
Payables under securities loan and repurchase agreements, including collateral held	571.0		1,373.0
Short-term debt	179.0		78.0
Long-term debt	17.0		17.0
Derivatives	386.0		353.0
Pension and other postretirement provisions	375.0		468.0
Current income taxes	35.0		16.0
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates	5.0		2.0
Other liabilities	1,361.0		1,292.0
Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities:
Collateralized loan obligations notes, at fair value using the fair value option	538.0		474.0
Other liabilities	834.0		652.0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	82,879.0		81,670.0
Liabilities held for sale	18,232.0		18,498.0
Total liabilities	157,894.0		155,761.0
Shareholders' equity:
Total Voya Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	11,851.0		11,415.0
Noncontrolling interest	988.0		822.0
Total shareholders' equity	12,839.0		12,237.0
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	170,733.0		167,998.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	1,600.0		1,632.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value | Consolidating Adjustments
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value | Parent Issuer
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value | Subsidiary Guarantor
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	1,600.0		1,632.0
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	84.0		68.0
Cash and cash equivalents | Consolidating Adjustments
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Cash and cash equivalents | Parent Issuer
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Cash and cash equivalents | Subsidiary Guarantor
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Cash and cash equivalents | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	84.0		68.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	921.0		513.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option | Consolidating Adjustments
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option | Parent Issuer
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option | Subsidiary Guarantor
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	921.0		513.0
Other assets
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	8.0		13.0
Other assets | Consolidating Adjustments
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Other assets | Parent Issuer
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Other assets | Subsidiary Guarantor
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	0.0		0.0
Other assets | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets related to consolidated investment entities:
Assets related to consolidated investment entities	8.0		13.0
Collateral Pledged
Investments:
Securities pledged	827.0		1,408.0
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	$ 827.0		$ 1,408.0