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
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	(25)						(25)		(25)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(334)						(334)		(334)
Net income (loss)	(2,072)	(2,347)			(2,347)		275	1	274
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,069)	(1,062)				(1,062)	(7)		(7)
Other	929	911		911			18		18
End of year at Jun. 30, 2018	16,946	13,907	2	7,770	6,599	(464)	3,039	12	3,027
Beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2018	18,492	15,404	2	6,877	8,683	(158)	3,088	12	3,076
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of AB Holding units	(23)						(23)		(23)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(158)						(158)		(158)
Net income (loss)	(1,943)	(2,084)			(2,084)		141	0	141
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(320)	(306)				(306)	(14)		(14)
Other	898	893		893			5		5
End of year at Jun. 30, 2018	16,946	13,907	2	7,770	6,599	(464)	3,039	12	3,027
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)	(566)	(566)			(566)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,055	2,055				2,055
Other	15	15		15
End of year at Jun. 30, 2019	13,932	13,920	2	7,822	4,532	1,564	12	12	0
Beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2019	12,370	12,358	2	7,815	4,268	273	12	12	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	264	264			264
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,291	1,291				1,291
Other	7	7		7
End of year at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 13,932	$ 13,920	$ 2	$ 7,822	$ 4,532	$ 1,564	$ 12	$ 12	$ 0