CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,464	$ 4,420	$ (3,236)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	978	1,186	1,373
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee income	(3,574)	(3,475)	(3,546)
Net change in broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables	(38)	(525)	(740)
(Income) loss related to derivative instruments	81	(1,605)	2,866
Change in reinsurance recoverable with affiliate	(581)	(128)	(176)
Investment (gains) losses, net	20	58	99
Change in segregated cash and securities, net	(89)	505	571
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs	(331)	(413)	(74)
Change in future policy benefits	961	1,647	(384)
Change in current and deferred income taxes	258	1,448	(1,754)
Real estate related write-off charges	0	25	56
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses	38	(259)	33
Change in the fair value of the reinsurance contract asset	141	(3,964)	4,297
Contribution to pension plans	0	(6)	0
Amortization of deferred compensation	172	171	159
Amortization of deferred sales commission	49	42	41
Amortization of reinsurance cost	39	302	302
Other depreciation and amortization	(18)	44	122
Amortization of other intangibles	28	27	24
Other, net	116	(117)	128
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(286)	(617)	161
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities and repayments of fixed maturities and mortgage loans on real estate	3,996	2,975	3,691
Sales of investments	1,284	1,099	3,444
Purchases of investments	(6,145)	(6,751)	(6,057)
Purchases of trading account securities	(12,501)	(7,014)	(3,794)
Sales maturities and repayment of trading account securities	10,810	6,077	1,893
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments	529	999	(2,500)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0	(61)	0
Change in short-term investments	(363)	(5)	0
Decrease in loans to affiliates	0	0	5
Increase in loans to affiliates	0	0	(56)
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment	(71)	(83)	(67)
Other, net	35	(9)	12
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,426)	(2,773)	(3,429)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits	4,821	5,034	5,469
Withdrawals and transfers to Separate Accounts	(880)	(1,075)	(1,188)
Change in short-term financings	95	221	(55)
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities	(270)	430	(663)
Change in collateralized pledged assets	(2)	(12)	(18)
Repayment of Loans from Affiliates	0	(825)	(500)
Repayment of long term debt	(200)	0	0
Shareholder dividends paid	(767)	(382)	(234)
Repurchase of AB Holding units	(214)	(90)	(113)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	(414)	(401)	(306)
Increase (decrease) in Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	939	950	0
Change in securities sold under agreements to resale	(79)	0	0
Other, net	5	(7)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,034	3,843	2,392
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(10)	(20)	(3)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	312	433	(879)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	2,716	2,283	3,162
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	3,028	2,716	2,283
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest Paid	19	72	91
Income Taxes (Refunded) Paid	$ (80)	$ 272	$ (214)