DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Income Statement Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net derivative gains (losses)	$ (1,555)	$ (815)
Net investment income (loss)	904	509
Investment management and service fees	248	254
Other income	10	22
Total revenues	690	1,139
Compensation and benefits	82	149
Distribution-related payments	157	160
Interest expense	4	9
Other operating costs and expenses	184	250
Total benefits and other deductions	1,680	1,512
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	29
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(2)	1
Net income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable	$ (830)	(263)
Alliance Bernstein | Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net derivative gains (losses)		2
Net investment income (loss)		39
Investment management and service fees		803
Other income		2
Total revenues		846
Compensation and benefits		344
Distribution-related payments		110
Interest expense		2
Other operating costs and expenses		189
Total benefits and other deductions		645
Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes		201
Income tax expense		(17)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		184
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest		(155)
Net income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable		$ 29