GMDB, GMIB, GIB, GWBL AND OTHER FEATURES AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES - Variable Annuity Contracts with GMDB and GMIB Features and Buybacks (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Separate Accounts	$ 56,559	$ 58,084
Liability for SCS, SIO, MSO, IUL, GIB and GWBL and other features	$ 494	508
Option to elect a partial buyout of rider, percentage	50.00%
Loss from impact of buyback	$ 247	29	$ 20
GMDB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	13,491
Separate Accounts	84,640	$ 88,048
Net amount at risk, gross	19,080
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 9,058
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	55 years
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	16.60%
GMDB | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
GMDB | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
GMIB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 392
Separate Accounts	56,559
Net amount at risk, gross	7,411
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,912
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization (in years)	1 year 10 months 24 days
GMIB | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
GMIB | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
Return of Premium | GMDB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 13,037
Separate Accounts	38,438
Net amount at risk, gross	397
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 397
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	51 years 1 month 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	9.00%
Ratchet | GMDB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 132
Separate Accounts	8,570
Net amount at risk, gross	422
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 302
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	65 years 4 months 24 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	35.40%
Roll-Up | GMDB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 78
Separate Accounts	3,472
Net amount at risk, gross	2,389
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,616
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	71 years 8 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	58.10%
Roll-Up | GMDB | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Roll-Up | GMDB | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.00%
Roll-Up | GMIB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 41
Separate Accounts	15,467
Net amount at risk, gross	1,179
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 351
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization (in years)	1 year 4 months 24 days
Roll-Up | GMIB | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Roll-Up | GMIB | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.00%
Combo | GMDB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 244
Separate Accounts	34,160
Net amount at risk, gross	15,872
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 6,743
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	66 years 4 months 24 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70	38.20%
Combo | GMDB | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Combo | GMDB | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%
Combo | GMIB
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
General Account	$ 351
Separate Accounts	41,092
Net amount at risk, gross	6,232
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,561
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization (in years)	1 year 10 months 24 days
Combo | GMIB | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	3.00%
Combo | GMIB | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)	6.50%