GMDB, GMIB, GIB, GWBL AND OTHER FEATURES AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 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	$ 740	$ 740	$ 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	13,801	13,801
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	84,212	84,212	$ 84,640
Net amount at risk, gross	19,793	19,793
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 9,472	$ 9,472
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	55 years 1 month 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		16.90%
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	$ 13,361	$ 13,361
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	38,903	38,903
Net amount at risk, gross	347	347
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 347	$ 347
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	$ 127	$ 127
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	8,628	8,628
Net amount at risk, gross	358	358
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 253	$ 253
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	65 years 7 months 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		36.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 76	$ 76
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	3,370	3,370
Net amount at risk, gross	2,394	2,394
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,630	$ 1,630
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	65 years 7 months 6 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		59.10%
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	$ 237	$ 237
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	33,311	33,311
Net amount at risk, gross	16,694	16,694
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 7,242	$ 7,242
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	66 years 8 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		39.40%
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	$ 375	$ 375
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	56,142	56,142	$ 56,559
Net amount at risk, gross	10,919	10,919
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,907	$ 2,907
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 7 months 6 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	$ 35	$ 35
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	16,729	16,729
Net amount at risk, gross	1,409	1,409
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 419	$ 419
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 6 months
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	$ 340	$ 340
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	39,413	39,413
Net amount at risk, gross	9,510	9,510
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,488	$ 2,488
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 7 months 6 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%
Non Affiliated Entity [Member] | Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	3.90%	3.90%
Non Affiliated Entity [Member] | Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	18.10%	18.10%
Affiliates | Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	48.20%	48.20%
Affiliates | Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Exposure Reinsured Percentage, Quota Share of Liabilities for Variable Annuities	55.20%	55.20%