REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Statement of Equity Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	$ 12,428	$ 19,492
Net income (loss)	(830)	(263)
End of year	12,370	18,492
As Previously Reported
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(194)
End of year		18,633
Discontinued Operations Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		0
End of year		0
As Adjusted
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(194)
End of year		18,633
Impact of Revisions
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(69)
End of year		(141)
As Revised
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(263)
End of year		18,492
AXA Equitable Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	12,416	16,397
End of year	12,358	15,404
AXA Equitable Equity | As Previously Reported
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		15,545
AXA Equitable Equity | As Adjusted
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		15,545
AXA Equitable Equity | Impact of Revisions
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		(141)
AXA Equitable Equity | As Revised
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		15,404
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	5,098	8,938
End of year	$ 4,268	8,683
Retained Earnings | As Previously Reported
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year		9,010
Net income (loss)		(194)
End of year		8,824
Retained Earnings | Discontinued Operations Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year		0
Net income (loss)		0
End of year		0
Retained Earnings | As Adjusted
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year		9,010
Net income (loss)		(194)
End of year		8,824
Retained Earnings | Impact of Revisions
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year		(72)
Net income (loss)		(69)
End of year		(141)
Retained Earnings | As Revised
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year		8,938
Net income (loss)		(263)
End of year		$ 8,683