REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Statement of Equity Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	$ 12,370	$ 18,492	$ 12,428	$ 19,492
Net income (loss)	264	(2,084)	(566)	(2,347)
End of year	13,932	16,946	13,932	16,946
As Previously Reported
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(2,114)		(2,401)
End of year		16,964		16,964
Discontinued Operations Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		0		0
End of year		0		0
As Adjusted
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(2,114)		(2,401)
End of year		16,964		16,964
Impact of Revisions
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		30		54
End of year		(18)		(18)
AXA Equitable Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	12,358	15,404	12,416	16,397
End of year	13,920	13,907	13,920	13,907
AXA Equitable Equity | As Previously Reported
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		13,925		13,925
AXA Equitable Equity | Discontinued Operations Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		0		0
AXA Equitable Equity | As Adjusted
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		13,925		13,925
AXA Equitable Equity | Impact of Revisions
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
End of year		(18)		(18)
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	4,268	8,683	5,098	8,938
Net income (loss)		(2,084)		(2,347)
End of year	$ 4,532	6,599	$ 4,532	6,599
Retained Earnings | As Previously Reported
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year				9,010
Net income (loss)		(2,114)		(2,401)
End of year		6,617		6,617
Retained Earnings | Discontinued Operations Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year				0
Net income (loss)		0		0
End of year		0		0
Retained Earnings | As Adjusted
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year				9,010
Net income (loss)		(2,114)		(2,401)
End of year		6,617		6,617
Retained Earnings | Impact of Revisions
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year				(72)
Net income (loss)		30		54
End of year		$ (18)		$ (18)