DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Rollforward of deferred policy acquisition costs
Balance, beginning of year	$ 11,042	$ 11,115	$ 9,828
Dispositions	(35)	(110)	0
Acquisition costs deferred	4,820	5,216	5,825
Amortization expense	(4,288)	(4,521)	(5,236)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	(505)	(259)	848
Increase (decrease) due to foreign exchange and other	(40)	72	(150)
Reclassified to Assets held for sale	0	(471)	0
Balance, end of year	10,994	11,042	11,115
Value of business acquired
Amortization of VOBA	20	40	64
Unamortized balance of VOBA	$ 381	393	453
Percentage of unamortized balance of VOBA expected to be amortized in the next five years
Year one (as a percent)	8.40%
Year two (as a percent)	7.80%
Year three (as a percent)	7.20%
Year four (as a percent)	6.10%
Year five (as a percent)	5.90%
Years after five year (as a percent)	64.60%
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	$ (1,300)	$ (842)	$ (583)