CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 1,794	$ 145
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	(9)	5
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	1,209	(21)
Contractholder and policyholder charges, non-cash	(96)	(95)
Loss from equity method investments	16	16
Net realized investment (gains) losses	(4)	(10)
Impairments and provision for loan losses	21	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs	446	(52)
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims, net	2,730	(100)
Derivatives, net of collateral	(745)	296
Reinsurance recoverables	(19)	(14)
Other receivables	14	(10)
Accrued investment income	(6)	(3)
Current income tax expense (benefit)	(1,086)	(3)
Other, net	40	23
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,305	177
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	79	82
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	474	645
Purchases	(413)	(511)
Proceeds from sales, maturities and repayments of mortgage loans	52	55
Funding of mortgage loans	(58)	(37)
Proceeds from sales and collections of other investments	33	26
Purchase of other investments	(73)	(46)
Purchase of equipment and software	(2)	(2)
Change in policy loans, net	(2)	7
Cash paid for deposit receivable	(1)	(345)
Cash received for deposit receivable	30	0
Advance on line of credit to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	702	0
Repayment from Ameriprise Financial, Inc. on line of credit	(702)	0
Cash received from written options with deferred premiums	95	34
Cash paid for written options with deferred premiums	(258)	(42)
Other, net	1	15
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(43)	(119)
Policyholder account balances:
Deposits and other additions	255	585
Net transfers from (to) separate accounts	30	(1)
Surrenders and other benefits	(430)	(476)
Proceeds from line of credit with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	5	0
Payments on line of credit with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(55)	0
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums	0	12
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(36)	(37)
Cash dividends to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(250)	(250)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(481)	(167)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,781	(109)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,275	1,085
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,056	976
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (received), net	2	(1)
Interest paid on borrowings	1	1
Non-cash investing activity:
Partnership commitments not yet remitted	2	0
Investments transferred in connection with reinsurance transaction	$ 0	$ 1,265