CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income (loss)	$ 1,677	$ 1,779
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	(1,008)	(779)
Policy charges and fee income	(2,626)	(2,468)
Net derivative (gains) losses	(1,376)	(1,621)
Investment (gains) losses, net	9	(35)
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities	(188)	(117)
Amortization of deferred compensation	27	7
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	25	32
Other depreciation and amortization	(90)	(61)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset	111	115
Amortization of other intangible assets	23	21
Net broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables	(56)	80
Reinsurance recoverable	(361)	(182)
Segregated cash and securities, net	157	73
Deferred policy acquisition costs	15	64
Future policy benefits	1,289	935
Current and deferred income taxes	639	93
Other, net	711	341
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	994	(165)
Proceeds from Sale/Maturity/Prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale	3,873	5,038
Mortgage loans on real estate	(1,534)	(2,193)
Trading account securities	(9,307)	(6,543)
Other	(207)	(177)
Payment For Purchase/Origination Of Productive Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, available for sale	(3,721)	(6,991)
Mortgage loans on real estate	695	595
Trading account securities	6,565	4,664
Other	58	31
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments	(929)	994
Decrease in loans to affiliates	0	383
Change in short-term investments	(266)	72
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment	(67)	(58)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		133	$ 21
Other, net	(258)	73
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(5,231)	(4,133)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits	5,871	6,032
Withdrawals	(2,574)	(1,970)
Policyholders' accounts balance transfer (to) from Separate Accounts	1,617	1,618
Change in short-term financings	(216)	(197)
Change in collateralized pledged assets	724	(64)
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities	664	202
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable	66	(75)
Shareholder dividend paid	0	500
Repurchase of AB Holding units	(134)	(129)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities	(347)	(287)
Increase (decrease) in Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	(159)	253
(Increase) decrease in securities purchased under agreement to resell	0	79
Other, net	0	7
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,460	4,929
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	17	7
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	2,950	3,063
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	4,190	3,701
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities	$ (52)	$ (40)