CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Parent	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable	Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Impact of adoption of revenue recognition standard ASC 606				$ 0			$ 0
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016				5,339	$ 6,150	$ 17	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other changes				3			(11)
Net income (loss)	$ (172)
Stockholder dividends					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	127					120	7
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(22)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							118
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(142)
End of year at Mar. 31, 2017	14,505	$ 11,459		5,342	5,978	137	3,046
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	2
Impact of adoption of revenue recognition standard ASC 606				8			25
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,564			6,859	9,010	598	3,095
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Deferred tax on dividend of AB Units				0
Other changes				18			5
Net income (loss)	(194)
Stockholder dividends					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(749)					(756)	7
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(2)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							134
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(176)
End of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,633	$ 15,545		$ 6,877	$ 8,824	$ (158)	$ 3,088
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	$ 2		$ 2