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]
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period			$ 2
Impact of adoption of revenue recognition standard ASC 606							$ 0
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016				$ 5,339	6,151	$ 17	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ (172)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	127					120
End of year at Mar. 31, 2017	14,505				5,979
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016				5,339	6,151	17	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other changes				22			4
Net income (loss)	1,328				1,328
Stockholder dividends					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	401					414	(13)
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(91)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							231
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(243)
End of year at Jun. 30, 2017	16,257	$ 13,273		5,361	7,479	431	2,984
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2016				5,339	6,151	17	3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	1,326
Other comprehensive income (loss)	333					314
End of year at Sep. 30, 2017	16,139	13,170			7,476	331
Beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2017	14,505				5,979
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	1,500
Other comprehensive income (loss)	274					294
End of year at Jun. 30, 2017	16,257	13,273		5,361	7,479	431	2,984
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period			2
Net income (loss)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(76)
End of year at Sep. 30, 2017	16,139	13,170			7,476	331
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	2		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]
Net income (loss)	(287)
End of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,540	15,452			8,731
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,564			6,859	9,010	598	3,095
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other changes				911			10
Net income (loss)	(2,401)
Stockholder dividends					0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,069)					(1,062)	(7)
Repurchase of AB Holding units							(25)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest							275
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest							(334)
End of year at Jun. 30, 2018	16,964	13,925		7,770	6,617	(464)	3,039
Beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,540	15,452			8,731
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(2,114)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(320)					(306)
End of year at Jun. 30, 2018	16,964	$ 13,925		$ 7,770	$ 6,617	$ (464)	$ 3,039
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, at par value, beginning of year and end of period	$ 2		$ 2