SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Restatements made to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net derivative gains (losses)	$ (318)	$ 1,997	$ (300)	$ (446)	$ 743	$ 1,324	$ 1,714	$ 2,067	$ 1,376	$ 1,621	$ (1,120)	$ (1,072)	$ 3,418
Net income (loss)	66	1,714	(120)	137	576	1,067	1,593	1,642	1,677	1,779	524	1,070	3,100
Comprehensive income (loss)	14	2,009	23	152	1,181	1,793	2,031	2,973	2,057	3,124	323	210	3,947
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(154)			(127)					(372)	(335)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable	(140)	1,916	(102)	25	1,093	1,673	2,031	2,765	1,685	2,789	(156)	(178)	3,589
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment	(55)	315	108	16	610	717	423	1,327	362	1,342	(180)	(831)	891
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (52)	295	143	15	605	726	438	1,331	$ 380	1,345	(201)	(860)	847
As previously reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net derivative gains (losses)		1,693	(724)	(656)	1,562	2,278	969	3,840		3,184	(1,277)	(208)	5,409
Net income (loss)		1,459	(313)	22	1,061	1,720	1,146	2,781		2,803	544	1,464	4,420
Comprehensive income (loss)		1,753	(134)	(1)	1,681	2,509	1,619	4,190		4,189	306	554	5,345
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			(125)	(99)	(89)	(120)		(209)		(308)	(452)	(388)	(358)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable		1,660	(259)	(100)	1,592	2,389	1,619	3,981		3,881	(146)	166	4,987
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment			144	(22)	625	780		1,405		1,383	(217)	(881)	969
Other comprehensive income (loss)			179	(23)	620	789		1,409		1,386	(238)	(910)	925
Impact of Revision
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net derivative gains (losses)		(38)	(9)	(21)	(22)	108	(30)	86		65	43	(131)	(168)
Net income (loss)		(9)	1	11	(21)	16	(9)	(5)		6	(114)	11	(139)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(9)	1	41	(36)	22	(9)	(14)		26	(94)	(9)	(139)
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			0	(28)	1	0		1		(27)	(27)	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable		(9)	1	13	(35)	22	(9)	(13)		(1)	(121)	(9)	(139)
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment			0	30	(15)	6		(9)		20	20	(20)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			0	30	(15)	6		(9)		20	20	(20)	0
As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net derivative gains (losses)		1,655	(733)	(677)	1,540	2,386	939	3,926		3,249	(1,234)	(339)	5,241
Net income (loss)		1,450	(312)	33	1,040	1,736	1,137	2,776		2,809	430	1,475	4,281
Comprehensive income (loss)		1,744	(133)	40	1,645	2,531	1,610	4,176		4,215	212	545	5,206
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			(125)	(127)	(88)	(120)		(208)		(335)	(479)	(388)	(358)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable		1,651	(258)	(87)	1,557	2,411	1,610	3,968		3,880	(267)	157	4,848
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment		314	144	8	610	786	458	1,396		1,403	(197)	(901)	969
Other comprehensive income (loss)		$ 294	$ 179	$ 7	$ 605	$ 795	$ 473	$ 1,400		$ 1,406	$ (218)	$ (930)	$ 925