SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - BALANCE SHEETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 4,547	$ 4,903	$ 4,913	$ 4,961	$ 5,058	$ 5,088
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value	10,488	10,900	11,260	9,798	10,314
Total Assets	225,985	219,395	215,713	210,013	204,556
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities	29,034	29,452	29,679	28,691	28,901
Current and deferred taxes					2,834
Total liabilities	205,795	202,815	199,095	195,091	189,549
EQUITY
Retained earnings	9,010	7,476	7,479	5,978	6,150
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	598	331	431	137	17
Total equity attributable to AXA Equitable	16,469	13,170	13,273	11,459	11,508
Total equity	19,564	16,139	16,257	14,505	14,604	$ 15,587
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Equity	$ 225,985	219,395	215,713	210,013	204,556
As Previously Reported
ASSETS
Deferred policy acquisition costs		4,550	4,141	4,068	4,852
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value		10,933	11,290	9,795	10,316
Total Assets		219,069	214,941	209,098	204,352
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities		29,423	26,799	25,496	28,939
Current and deferred taxes					2,751
Total liabilities		202,669	196,972	192,712	189,504
EQUITY
Retained earnings		7,265	8,779	7,411	6,005
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		362	493	179	3
Total equity attributable to AXA Equitable		12,990	14,635	12,934	11,349
Total equity		15,959	17,608	15,969	14,445
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Equity		219,069	$ 214,941	$ 209,098	204,352
Impact of Adjustments
ASSETS
Deferred policy acquisition costs		353			206
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value		(33)			(2)
Total Assets		326			204
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits and other policyholders liabilities		29			(38)
Current and deferred taxes					83
Total liabilities		146			45
EQUITY
Retained earnings		211			145
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(31)			14
Total equity attributable to AXA Equitable		180			159
Total equity		180			159
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Equity		$ 326			$ 204