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)	$ 2,104				1,813
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							291
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(326)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(439)					(429)	(10)
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(68)
Dividends and distributions					(517)
Other changes in noncontrolling interest				6			10
End of year at Sep. 30, 2015	18,878	$ 15,992		5,963	10,105	(78)	2,886
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)	2,803				2,496
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							299
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(287)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,386					1,385	1
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(92)
Dividends and distributions					(500)
Other changes in noncontrolling interest				(8)			(6)
End of year at Sep. 30, 2016	20,883	$ 17,882		$ 5,313	$ 10,954	$ 1,613	$ 3,001
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	$ 2		$ 2