GMDB, GMIB, GIB, GWBL AND OTHER FEATURES AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
SCS, SIO, MSO, IUL, GWBL and other guaranteed benefits related liability	$ 601	$ 601	$ 494
Buyback program, option to elect partial buyout (as a percent)			50.00%
Impact on earnings from LSO offer to policyholders	4
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	13,624	13,624
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	83,673	83,673	$ 84,640
Net amount at risk, gross	19,578	19,578
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	9,424	$ 9,424
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)		55 years
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		16.70%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		6.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Return of Premium
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	13,178	$ 13,178
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	38,391	38,391
Net amount at risk, gross	397	397
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	397	$ 397
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)		51 years 2 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		9.10%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Ratchet
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	129	$ 129
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	8,542	8,542
Net amount at risk, gross	423	423
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	301	$ 301
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)		65 years 6 months
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		35.70%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	77	$ 77
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	3,396	3,396
Net amount at risk, gross	2,411	2,411
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	1,637	$ 1,637
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)		71 years 10 months 24 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		58.60%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		6.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	240	$ 240
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	33,344	33,344
Net amount at risk, gross	16,347	16,347
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	7,089	$ 7,089
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)		66 years 7 months 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		38.80%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		6.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	381	$ 381
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	55,780	55,780	$ 56,559
Net amount at risk, gross	9,489	9,489
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	2,515	$ 2,515
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization		1 year 8 months 12 days
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		6.50%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	37	$ 37
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	16,066	16,066
Net amount at risk, gross	1,332	1,332
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	397	$ 397
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization		1 year 4 months 24 days
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		6.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	344	$ 344
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	39,714	39,714
Net amount at risk, gross	8,157	8,157
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,118	$ 2,118
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization		1 year 8 months 12 days
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Minimum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		3.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up | Maximum
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Range of contractually specified interest rates (as a percent)		6.50%