DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Balance, beginning of year	$ 11,115	$ 9,828	$ 9,436
Dispositions	(110)
Acquisition costs deferred	5,216	5,825	5,919
Amortization expense	(4,521)	(5,236)	(5,330)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	(259)	848	(360)
Increase (decrease) due to foreign exchange and other	72	(150)	163
Reclassified to Assets held for sale	(471)
Balance, end of year	11,042	11,115	9,828
Value of business acquired
Amortization of VOBA	40	64	17
Unamortized balance of VOBA	$ 393	453	510
Percentage of unamortized balance of VOBA expected to be amortized in the next five years
Year one (as a percent)	8.60%
Year two (as a percent)	7.90%
Year three (as a percent)	7.20%
Year four (as a percent)	6.80%
Year five (as a percent)	6.20%
Years after five year (as a percent)	63.30%
Reportable Segments | Life insurance companies
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Increase (decrease) in deferred policy acquisition costs due to net unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities	$ (842)	$ (583)	$ (1,400)