ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	$ 241,000,000	$ 1,122,000,000	$ 153,000,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(58,000,000)	(33,000,000)	(12,000,000)
Defined benefit pension plans	(12,000,000)	(780,000,000)	(757,000,000)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	171,000,000	309,000,000	(616,000,000)
Less: Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	57,000,000	42,000,000	13,000,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable	228,000,000	351,000,000	(603,000,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(480,000,000)	529,000,000	(654,000,000)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(2,000,000)	(15,000,000)	161,000,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses) arising during the period	(25,000,000)	(21,000,000)	(12,000,000)
(Gains) losses reclassified into net earnings (loss) during the period	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(25,000,000)	(21,000,000)	(12,000,000)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year	(1,020,000,000)	1,043,000,000	(1,550,000,000)
(Gains) losses reclassified into net earnings (loss) during the year(1)	12,000,000	37,000,000	49,000,000
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(1,008,000,000)	1,080,000,000	(1,501,000,000)
Adjustments for policyholders liabilities, DAC, insurance liability loss recognition and other	127,000,000	(111,000,000)	302,000,000
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of adjustments and (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(480), $529 and $(654))	(881,000,000)	969,000,000	(1,199,000,000)
Change in defined benefit plans:
Net gain (loss) arising during the year	0	(95,000,000)	198,000,000
Prior service cost arising during the year	0	0	0
Less: reclassification adjustments to net earnings (loss) for:(2)
Amortization of net (gains) losses included in net periodic cost	(4,000,000)	72,000,000	101,000,000
Amortization of net prior service credit included in net periodic cost	0	0	0
Change in defined benefit plans (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(2), $(15) and $161)	(4,000,000)	(23,000,000)	299,000,000
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(910,000,000)	925,000,000	(912,000,000)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	15,000,000	29,000,000	(8,000,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable	(895,000,000)	954,000,000	(920,000,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6,000,000)	(19,000,000)	(26,000,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,000,000	(39,000,000)	(54,000,000)
AOCI Attributable to Parent
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]
Decrease from unrecognized net actuarial loss transferred to additional paid in capital, net of tax	(772,000,000)	0	0
Less: reclassification adjustments to net earnings (loss) for:(2)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(895,000,000)	954,000,000	(920,000,000)
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]
Decrease from unrecognized net actuarial loss transferred to additional paid in capital, net of tax	772,000,000	$ 0	$ 0
AXA Financial | AOCI Attributable to Parent
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]
(Increase) decrease from unrecognized net actuarial loss transferred from AOCI/to additional paid in capital, before tax	(1,193,000,000)
AXA Financial | Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]
(Increase) decrease from unrecognized net actuarial loss transferred from AOCI/to additional paid in capital, before tax	1,193,000,000
Decrease from unrecognized net actuarial loss transferred to additional paid in capital, net of tax	772,000,000
AXA Equitable | Stockholders' Equity, Total
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Abstract]
Decrease from unrecognized net actuarial loss transferred to additional paid in capital, net of tax	$ 0