CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 567	$ 586
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	(19)	(13)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	186	(219)
Contractholder and policyholder charges, non-cash	(288)	(284)
Loss from equity method investments	58	58
Net realized investment (gains) losses	(9)	(14)
Impairments and provision for loan losses	25	15
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs	183	(37)
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims, net	3,540	1,370
Derivatives, net of collateral	268	23
Reinsurance recoverables	(156)	(55)
Other receivables	53	22
Accrued investment income	(9)	10
Current income tax expense (benefit)	(82)	63
Other, net	93	108
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,410	1,633
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	84	209
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	1,788	1,738
Purchases	(3,079)	(1,064)
Proceeds from sales, maturities and repayments of mortgage loans	138	171
Funding of mortgage loans	(120)	(208)
Proceeds from sales and collections of other investments	92	100
Purchase of other investments	(147)	(124)
Purchase of equipment and software	(7)	(7)
Change in policy loans, net	18	(3)
Cash paid for deposit receivable	(3)	(348)
Cash received for deposit receivable	74	74
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	129	72
Cash paid for written options with deferred premiums	(292)	(125)
Other, net	(67)	33
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,392)	518
Policyholder account balances:
Deposits and other additions	1,202	1,620
Net transfers from (to) separate accounts	(63)	(46)
Surrenders and other benefits	(1,035)	(1,320)
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	40	220
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(177)	(142)
Cash dividends to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(650)	(850)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(733)	(518)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,285	1,633
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,275	1,085
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,560	2,718
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (received), net	(122)	77
Interest paid on borrowings	2	4
Non-cash investing activity:
Partnership commitments not yet remitted	4	4
Investments transferred in connection with reinsurance transaction	$ 0	$ 1,265