GMDB, GMIB, GIB, GWBL AND OTHER FEATURES AND NO LAPSE GUARANTEE FEATURES 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 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	$ 950	$ 950	$ 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	13,983	13,983
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	86,356	86,356	$ 84,640
Net amount at risk, gross	19,126	19,126
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 8,982	$ 8,982
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	55 years 2 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		17.10%
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	$ 13,552	$ 13,552
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	40,144	40,144
Net amount at risk, gross	252	252
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 252	$ 252
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	51 years 3 months 18 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		9.20%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Ratchet
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 124	$ 124
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	8,857	8,857
Net amount at risk, gross	190	190
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 133	$ 133
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	65 years 8 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		36.60%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 74	$ 74
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	3,420	3,420
Net amount at risk, gross	2,318	2,318
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 1,576	$ 1,576
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	72 years 2 months 12 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		59.70%
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	$ 233	$ 233
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	33,935	33,935
Net amount at risk, gross	16,366	16,366
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 7,021	$ 7,021
Average attained age of contractholders (in years)	66 years 10 months 24 days
Percentage of contractholders over age 70		40.00%
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	$ 370	$ 370
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	57,560	57,560	$ 56,559
Net amount at risk, gross	10,172	10,172
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,695	$ 2,695
Weighted average years remaining until annuitization	1 year 4 months 24 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	17,592	17,592
Net amount at risk, gross	1,322	1,322
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 406	$ 406
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)		6.00%
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit | Roll-Up
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]
Account Value Invested In General Account	$ 335	$ 335
Account Value Invested In Separate Accounts	39,968	39,968
Net amount at risk, gross	8,850	8,850
Net amount at risk, net of amounts reinsured	$ 2,289	$ 2,289
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)		6.50%
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	17.90%	17.90%
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	49.10%	49.10%
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	55.60%	55.60%