SHARE-BASED AND OTHER COMPENSATION PROGRAMS - Compensation Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Compensation Expenses	$ 215	$ 187	$ 211
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Compensation Expenses	18	17	18
Stock Options (Other than AB stock options)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Compensation Expenses	1	1	1
AXA Shareplan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Compensation Expenses	9	14	16
Restricted Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Compensation Expenses	185	154	174
Other Compensation plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Compensation Expenses	$ 2	$ 1	$ 2