ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (COMPONENTS OF OCI, NET OF TAXES) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of adjustments (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(197) and $50)	$ (741)	$ 92
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(749)	127
Foreign currency translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(4)	35
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, net of tax	0	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(4)	35
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(70)	140
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, net of tax	(985)	(23)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Adjustments for policyholders’ liabilities, DAC, insurance liability loss recognition and other	314	(25)
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of adjustments (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(197) and $50)	(741)	92
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(1,055)	117
Reclassification from AOCI, current period, tax	(262)	13
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(197)	50
Net gain (loss) arising during the period
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(4)	0
Amortization of net prior service cost included in net periodic cost
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, net of tax	0	0
Defined benefit pension plans
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(4)	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	0	0
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(7)	(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	$ (756)	$ 120