ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - COMPONENTS OF OCI, NET OF TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of adjustments (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(107) million, $(38) million, $(387) million and $181 million)	$ (404)	$ (71)		$ 407	$ (1,456)	$ 336	$ 584	$ (215)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(406)	(68)		422	(1,475)	354	620	(236)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	1	6			(11)	20
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, net of tax	0	0			0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	1	6			(11)	20
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(438)	6			(1,770)	458
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, net of tax	8	8			(59)	6
Adjustments for policyholders’ liabilities, DAC, insurance liability loss recognition and other	26	(85)			373	(128)
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of adjustments (net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(107) million, $(38) million, $(387) million and $181 million)	(404)	(71)			(1,456)	336
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(430)	14			(1,829)	464
Reclassification from AOCI, current period, tax	2	4			(16)	3
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(27)			(387)	181
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	3	3			8	2
Defined benefit pension plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(3)	(3)			(8)	(2)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(1)	(2)			(2)	(1)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	3	(32)			10	(19)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	$ (403)	$ (100)	$ 141	$ 435	$ (1,465)	$ 335	$ 602	$ (219)