CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Parent	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	AOCI Attributable to Parent	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2014				$ 5,957	$ 8,809	$ 351	$ 2,989
Net earnings (loss)	$ (171)				(372)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							201
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(214)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(650)					(645)	(5)
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(14)
Dividends and distributions					(517)
Other changes in noncontrolling interest				16			16
End of year at Jun. 30, 2015	16,574	$ 13,601		5,973	7,920	(294)	2,973
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	2
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2015	17,595			5,321	8,958	228	3,086
Net earnings (loss)	2,781				2,572
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							203
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(198)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,409					1,409	0
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(60)
Dividends and distributions					(500)
Other changes in noncontrolling interest				(3)			(5)
End of year at Jun. 30, 2016	21,013	$ 17,987		$ 5,318	$ 11,030	$ 1,637	$ 3,026
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	$ 2		$ 2