CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 1,001	$ 355
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	(17)	(4)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	486	(56)
Contractholder and policyholder charges, non-cash	(192)	(189)
Loss from equity method investments	38	34
Net realized investment (gains) losses	(7)	(10)
Impairments and provision for loan losses	24	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs	153	(71)
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims, net	2,913	475
Derivatives, net of collateral	(253)	230
Reinsurance recoverables	(41)	(29)
Other receivables	27	7
Accrued investment income	5	18
Current income tax expense (benefit)	(461)	(40)
Other, net	185	55
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,861	775
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	79	100
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	1,068	1,277
Purchases	(1,514)	(763)
Proceeds from sales, maturities and repayments of mortgage loans	86	119
Funding of mortgage loans	(105)	(114)
Proceeds from sales and collections of other investments	76	58
Purchase of other investments	(87)	(85)
Purchase of equipment and software	(5)	(4)
Change in policy loans, net	12	0
Cash paid for deposit receivable	(1)	(347)
Cash received for deposit receivable	53	41
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	108	43
Cash paid for written options with deferred premiums	(258)	(41)
Other, net	0	(23)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(488)	261
Policyholder account balances:
Deposits and other additions	774	1,151
Net transfers from (to) separate accounts	(15)	(28)
Surrenders and other benefits	(726)	(926)
Proceeds from line of credit with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	6	3
Payments on line of credit with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(56)	(3)
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums	39	60
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(130)	(85)
Cash dividends to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(500)	(550)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(608)	(378)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,765	658
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,275	1,085
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,040	1,743
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (received), net	4	63
Interest paid on borrowings	2	2
Non-cash investing activity:
Partnership commitments not yet remitted	2	2
Investments transferred in connection with reinsurance transaction	$ 0	$ 1,265