ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (COMPONENTS OF OCI, NET OF TAXES) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses) arising during the period	$ (1)	$ (10)	$ 3	$ (17)
(Gains) losses reclassified into net earnings (loss) during the period	0	(1)	0	(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1)	(11)	3	(19)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period	(10)	130	1,568	(622)
(Gains) losses reclassified into net earnings (loss) during the period(1)	1	2	(14)	12
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(9)	132	1,554	(610)
Adjustments for policyholders’ liabilities, DAC, insurance liability loss recognition and other	(13)	71	(171)	132
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of adjustments (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(13), $107, and $751 and $(261)	(22)	203	1,383	(478)
Less: reclassification adjustments to net earnings (loss) for (2):
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), Net of Tax	0	19	0	58
Change in defined benefit plans (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $0, $10, $0, and $31.	0	19	0	58
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(23)	211	1,386	(439)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1)	5	(1)	10
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable	(24)	216	1,385	(429)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax	(13)	107	751	(261)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Available for sale securities, Tax	13	1	7	(2)
Reclassification amounts net of income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	6	17
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Benefit Plans, Tax	$ 0	$ 10	$ 0	$ 31