SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of Restatements made to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (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	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment	$ (55)	$ 315	$ 108	$ 16	$ 610	$ 717	$ 423	$ 1,327	$ 362	$ 1,342	$ (180)	$ (831)	$ 891
Net income (loss)	66	1,714	(120)	137	576	1,067	1,593	1,642	1,677	1,779	524	1,070	3,100
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	15,959	11,100	14,227	17,764	17,744	17,183	11,100	17,744	15,959	17,764	14,379	15,530	16,387
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised		16,109		17,766	17,744	17,182	16,109	17,744		17,766
Policy charges and fee income	(914)	(856)	(858)	(854)	(819)	(795)	(1,712)	(1,614)	(2,626)	(2,468)	(3,342)	(3,284)	(3,156)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	(350)			(303)					(1,008)	(779)
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)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset									111	115
Future policy benefits			(274)			(515)	(1,326)	(1,075)	(1,289)	(935)	(432)	(629)	(1,485)
Increase Decrease In Reinsurance Recoverable With Affiliate									(361)	(182)
Deferred policy acquisition costs			127			31	50	9	15	64	368	(257)	(345)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition cost, net	33	76	(126)	(55)	22	(172)	(50)	(9)	(15)	(64)	(368)	257	345
Current and deferred income taxes			(224)			380	224	376	639	93	(841)	42	737
Other, net									711	341
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			18			190	(75)	(385)	994	(165)	(461)	(324)	(600)
Deposits									5,871	6,032
Policyholders' accounts balance transfer (to) from Separate Accounts									1,617	1,618
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable									66	(75)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									5,460	4,929
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]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment			144	(22)	625	780		1,405		1,383	(217)	(881)	969
Net income (loss)		1,459	(313)	22	1,061	1,720	1,146	2,781		2,803	544	1,464	4,420
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		12,608	15,969	20,883	21,013	19,963	12,608	21,013		20,883	16,416	17,595	18,108
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised		17,617			21,013		17,617	21,013
Policy charges and fee income		(865)	(896)	(978)	(915)	(901)	(1,761)	(1,816)		(2,794)	(3,423)	(3,208)	(3,115)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances			(337)	(272)	(274)	(251)	(658)	(525)		(797)	(981)	(1,048)	(1,155)
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of the reinsurance contract asset			0			0
Net derivative (gains) losses		(1,693)	724	656	(1,562)	(2,278)	(969)	(3,840)		(3,184)	1,277	208	(5,409)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset											159	39	302
Future policy benefits			(185)			(491)	(1,381)	(1,168)		(1,253)	(803)	(878)	(1,518)
Increase Decrease In Reinsurance Recoverable With Affiliate			(44)			(145)	(251)	(92)		(120)	(534)	(916)	(488)
Deferred policy acquisition costs			125			(10)	43	(84)		(80)	162	(331)	(413)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition cost, net		82	(125)	(4)	74	(131)	(43)	84		80	(162)	331	413
Current and deferred income taxes			(327)			733	(16)	985		704	(771)	258	1,448
Other, net			0			50	0	119			31	111	(98)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			18			99	(75)	(337)		(165)	(461)	(244)	(639)
Deposits											9,342	5,757	6,011
Policyholders' accounts balance transfer (to) from Separate Accounts											1,606	1,045	815
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable			50			0	0	0			(85)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,306			1,468	0	4,016			5,751	3,034	3,843
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]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment			0	30	(15)	6		(9)		20	20	(20)	0
Net income (loss)		(9)	1	11	(21)	16	(9)	(5)		6	(114)	11	(139)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(84)	(53)	(72)	(110)		(84)	(110)		(72)	(192)	(109)	(100)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised		(84)			(110)	(86)	(84)	(110)
Policy charges and fee income		(59)	(29)	53	29	41	(86)	70		123	(192)	(316)	(248)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances			1	(31)	19	30	0	49		18	(101)	72	118
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of the reinsurance contract asset			0			0
Net derivative (gains) losses		38	9	21	22	(108)	30	(86)		(65)	(43)	131	168
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset													(10)
Future policy benefits			(20)			(130)	(10)	(172)		45	32	(162)	(214)
Increase Decrease In Reinsurance Recoverable With Affiliate			0			(89)	57	(178)		(62)	230	(13)	174
Deferred policy acquisition costs			0			32	3	75		118	171	13	34
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition cost, net		(4)	1	(43)	(43)	(32)	(3)	(75)		(118)	(171)	(13)	(34)
Current and deferred income taxes			0			8	(5)	1		(57)	(121)	2	(75)
Other, net			0			91	0	(48)			0	(80)	39
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			0			91	0	(48)		0	0	(80)	39
Deposits											404	0	0
Policyholders' accounts balance transfer (to) from Separate Accounts											(404)	0	0
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable			0			(91)	0	48			0	80	(39)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			0			(91)	0	48			0	80	(39)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			0	30	(15)	6		(9)		20	20	(20)	0
As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification adjustment		314	144	8	610	786	458	1,396		1,403	(197)	(901)	969
Net income (loss)		1,450	(312)	33	1,040	1,736	1,137	2,776		2,809	430	1,475	4,281
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		12,524	15,916	20,811	20,903	19,877	12,524	20,903		20,811	16,224	17,486	18,008
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised		17,533		20,811	20,903	19,876	17,533	20,903		20,811
Policy charges and fee income		(924)	(925)	(925)	(886)	(860)	(1,847)	(1,746)		(2,671)	(3,615)	(3,524)	(3,363)
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances			(336)	(303)	(255)	(221)	(658)	(476)		(779)	(1,082)	(976)	(1,037)
Increase (decrease) in the fair value of the reinsurance contract asset			0			0
Net derivative (gains) losses		(1,655)	733	677	(1,540)	(2,386)	(939)	(3,926)		(3,249)	1,234	339	(5,241)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset											159	121	292
Future policy benefits			(205)			(621)	(1,391)	(1,340)		(1,208)	(771)	(1,040)	(1,732)
Increase Decrease In Reinsurance Recoverable With Affiliate			(44)			(234)	(194)	(270)		(182)	(304)	(929)	(314)
Deferred policy acquisition costs			125			22	46	(9)		38	333	(318)	(379)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition cost, net		78	(124)	(47)	31	(163)	(46)	9		(38)	(333)	318	379
Current and deferred income taxes			(327)			741	(21)	986		647	(892)	260	1,373
Other, net							0	71			31	31	(59)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			18			190	(75)	(385)		(165)	(461)	(324)	(600)
Deposits											9,746	5,757	6,011
Policyholders' accounts balance transfer (to) from Separate Accounts											1,202	1,045	815
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable			50			(91)	0	48			(85)	80	(39)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,306			1,377	0	4,064			5,751	3,114	3,804
Other comprehensive income (loss)		294	179	7	605	795	473	1,400		1,406	(218)	(930)	925
AOCI Attributable to Parent
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	362	452	137	1,529	1,516	908	452	1,516	362	1,529	1	208
Other comprehensive income (loss)			136			723	451	1,331	361	1,344	(184)	(845)	876
AOCI Attributable to Parent | As previously reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		493			1,637		493	1,637			7	228	351	$ (603)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			172			786	486	1,409		1,385	(221)	(895)	954
AOCI Attributable to Parent | Impact of Revision
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		0	0		(29)		0	(29)			0	(20)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			0			6	0	(9)		20	20	(20)
AOCI Attributable to Parent | As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		493	179	1,613	1,608	1,000	493	1,608		1,613	7	208	351	(603)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			172			792	486	1,400		1,405	(201)	(915)	954
Parent
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	12,990	13,116	11,181	14,752	14,733	14,140	13,116	14,733	12,990	14,752	11,283	12,471	13,425
Parent | As previously reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		14,635	12,934	17,882	17,987	16,894	14,635	17,987		17,882	13,331	14,509	15,119
Parent | Impact of Revision
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(95)	(64)	(83)	(95)	(60)	(95)	(95)		(83)	(203)	(82)	(73)
Parent | As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		14,540	12,870	17,799	17,892	16,834	14,540	17,892		17,799	13,128	14,427	15,046
Additional Paid-in Capital
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,361			5,313					5,361	5,313	5,339	5,321
Additional Paid-in Capital | As previously reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest											5,339	5,321	5,957	5,934
Additional Paid-in Capital | Impact of Revision
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest											0	0	0	(26)
Additional Paid-in Capital | As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest											5,339	5,321	5,957	5,908
Retained Earnings
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			(238)			950	1,362	1,434		1,445	28	667	2,713
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	7,265	7,301	5,700	7,908	7,897	7,913	7,301	7,897	7,265	7,908	5,941	8,896
Dividends									0	500	(1,050)	(912)	(381)
Retained Earnings | As previously reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			(431)			1,603	915	2,572		2,496	75	1,061	4,033
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		8,779	7,411	10,954	11,030	10,561	8,779	11,030		10,954		8,958	8,809	5,205
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised											7,983	8,958	8,809
Dividends											(1,050)	(912)	(429)
Retained Earnings | Impact of Revision
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			1			16	(9)	(4)		(21)	(141)	11
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(95)	(64)	(83)	(66)	(46)	(95)	(66)		(83)	(203)	(62)	(73)	18
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised												(62)	(73)
Dividends											0	0	48
Other comprehensive income (loss)													0
Retained Earnings | As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			(430)			1,619	906	2,568		2,475	(66)	1,072	3,894
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		8,684	7,347	10,871	10,964	10,515	8,684	10,964		10,871	7,780	8,896	8,736	5,223
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, As Revised												8,896	8,736
Dividends											(1,050)	(912)	(381)
Noncontrolling Interest
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									311	326
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders									(96)	(92)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 2,969			3,012					2,969	3,012	(3,096)	(3,059)
Dividends									347	287
Other comprehensive income (loss)									$ 19	1
Noncontrolling Interest | As previously reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			118			117	118	203		299	464	403	387
Dividend of AB Units by AXA Equitable to AXA Financial											0	145	48
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		0	3,035	3,001	3,026	3,069	0	3,026		3,001	3,085	3,086	2,989	2,903
Noncontrolling Interest | Impact of Revision
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			0			0	0	1		27	27	0	0
Dividend of AB Units by AXA Equitable to AXA Financial											0	0	(48)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		11	11	11	(15)	(27)	11	(15)		11	11	(27)	(27)	21
Noncontrolling Interest | As Revised
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			118			117	118	204		326	491	403	387
Dividend of AB Units by AXA Equitable to AXA Financial											0	145	0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		$ 11	$ 3,046	$ 3,012	$ 3,011	$ 3,042	$ 11	$ 3,011		$ 3,012	$ 3,096	$ 3,059	$ 2,962	$ 2,924