CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ (2,091)	$ 1,559
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances		(495)	(448)
Policy charges and fee income		(1,773)	(1,698)
Net derivative (gains) losses		1,172	(1,362)
Investment (gains) losses, net		(82)	1
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities		181	(133)
Amortization of deferred compensation		15	21
Amortization of deferred sales commission		13	17
Other depreciation and amortization		(45)	(61)
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset		1,885	(171)
Distribution from joint ventures and limited partnerships		44	50
Changes in:
Net broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables		479	9
Reinsurance recoverable		15	(194)
Segregated cash and securities, net		(473)	(132)
Deferred policy acquisition costs		89	(20)
Future policy benefits		396	1,303
Current and deferred income taxes		(645)	204
Other, net		416	84
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		1,190	(75)
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale		4,810	1,841
Mortgage loans on real estate		153	399
Trading account securities		4,843	5,241
Other		260	110
Payment for the purchase/origination of:
Fixed maturities, available for sale		(5,407)	(1,840)
Mortgage loans on real estate		(1,004)	(1,041)
Trading account securities		(5,075)	(6,936)
Other		(99)	(149)
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments		(267)	(907)
Increase in loans to affiliates		(1,100)	0
Decrease in loans to affiliates		700	0
Change in short-term investments		248	(508)
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment		(46)	(41)
Other, net		379	243
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,605)	(3,588)
Policyholders’ account balances:
Deposits		5,227	4,109
Withdrawals		(2,611)	(1,557)
Transfer (to) from Separate Accounts		(305)	767
Change in short-term financings		(51)	(1)
Change in collateralized pledged assets		0	1,248
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities		694	192
Increase (decrease) in Overdrafts payable		(29)	69
Cash received on the recapture of captive reinsurance		1,099	0
Repurchase of AB Holding units from noncontrolling interest		(25)	(128)
Redemption of noncontrolling interests of consolidated VIEs, net		(516)	(75)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		(334)	(243)
Increase (decrease) in Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		(37)	(199)
Other, net		(27)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,986	4,182
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(6)	11
Change in cash and cash equivalents		1,565	530
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		3,409	2,950
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period		4,974	3,480
Non-cash transactions during the period(1)
Repayment of long-term debt	[1]	202	0
Transfer of assets to reinsurer	[1]	(604)	0
Repayment of loan to affiliates	[1]	$ 300	$ 0

[1] See Note 11 for significant non-cash transactions related to the GMxB unwind and related merger of AXA RE Arizona.