CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 3,394		$ 706		$ 1,060
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	1,040		1,029		887
Policy charges and fee income	(3,334)		(3,344)		(3,291)
Net derivative (gains) losses	(890)		1,211		1,161
Investment (gains) losses, net	125		(16)		20
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities	(166)		41		43
Non-cash long term incentive compensation expense	185		152		172
Amortization of deferred sales commission	32		41		49
Other depreciation and amortization	(136)		(98)		(18)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset	(84)		159		121
Amortization of other intangibles	31		29		28
Return of real estate joint venture and limited partnerships	140		126		161
Changes in:
Net broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables	(278)		608		(38)
Reinsurance recoverable	(416)		(304)		(929)
Segregated cash and securities, net	130		(381)		(89)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	268		52		(243)
Future policy benefits	1,511		431		631
Current and deferred income taxes	(664)		(742)		50
Other, net	189		(161)		(99)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,077		(461)		(324)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities, available for sale	9,738		7,154		4,368
Mortgage loans on real estate	934		676		609
Trading account securities	9,125		6,271		10,768
Other	228		32		134
Fixed maturities, available for sale	(12,465)		(7,873)		(4,701)
Mortgage loans on real estate	(2,108)		(3,261)		(1,311)
Trading account securities	(12,667)		(8,691)		(12,501)
Other	(280)		(250)		(132)
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments	(1,259)		102		529
Decrease in loans to affiliates	0		384		0
Change in short-term investments	(264)		(205)		(363)
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment	(100)		(85)		(71)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	(130)		(21)		0
Other, net	238		409		203
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(9,010)		(5,358)		(2,468)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits	9,882		9,746		5,757
Withdrawals	(5,926)		(2,874)		(2,861)
Transfer (to) from Separate Accounts	1,656		1,202		1,045
Change in short-term financings	53		(69)		95
Change in collateralized pledged assets	710		(677)		(2)
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities	1,108		125		(270)
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable	63		(85)		80
Repayment of long term debt	0		0		(200)
Shareholder dividends paid	0		(1,050)		(767)
Repurchase of AB Holding units	(220)		(236)		(214)
Redemptions (purchases) of non-controlling interests of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds	120		(137)		0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	(457)		(385)		(414)
Increase (decrease) in Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	(109)		104		939
(Increase) decrease in securities purchased under agreement to resell	0		79		(79)
Capital Contribution from Parent	1,500		0		0
Other, net	(10)		8		5
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,370		5,751		3,114
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	22		(10)		(10)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	459		(78)		312
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	2,950	[1]	3,028		2,716
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	3,409	[1]	2,950	[1]	3,028
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	(8)		(11)		19
Income taxes (refunded) paid	$ 33		$ 613		$ (80)

[1] See Note 2 for details of balances with variable interest entities.