CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	AXA Equitable Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest	Continuing Operations Noncontrolling Interest	Discontinued Operations Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of adoption of revenue recognition standard ASC 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09	$ 33	$ 8			$ 8		$ 25		$ 25
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2017	19,492	16,397	$ 2	$ 6,859	8,938	$ 598	3,095	$ 19	3,076
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Deconsolidation of real estate joint ventures	(8)						(8)	(8)
Repurchase of AB Holding units	(2)						(2)		(2)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(176)						(176)		(176)
Net income (loss)	(129)	(263)			(263)		134	1	133
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(749)	(756)				(756)	7		7
Other	31	18		18			13		13
End of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,492	15,404	2	6,877	8,683	(158)	3,088	12	3,076
Beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2018	12,428	12,416	2	7,807	5,098	(491)	12	12	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(830)	(830)			(830)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	764	764				764
Other	8	8		8
End of year at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 12,370	$ 12,358	$ 2	$ 7,815	$ 4,268	$ 273	$ 12	$ 12	$ 0