CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Parent	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable	Noncontrolling Interest	Continuing Operations Noncontrolling Interest	Discontinued Operations Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 14,528	$ 11,432	$ 2	$ 5,339	$ 6,095	$ (4)	$ 3,096	$ 0	$ 3,096
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Capital contribution from parent company	1,500	1,500		1,500
Reclassification of net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	1						1	1
Consolidation of real estate joint ventures	19						19	19
Repurchase of AB Holding units	(158)						(158)		(158)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(457)						(457)		(457)
Net income (loss)	3,327	2,843			2,843		484	(1)	485
Other comprehensive income (loss)	602	602				602
Other	130	20		20			110		110
Ending balance 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]
Transfer for Deferred tax asset in GMxB Unwind	1,209	1,209		1,209
Settlement of intercompany payables in GMxB Unwind	(297)	(297)		(297)
Distribution of disposed subsidiary	(1,175)	(1,175)			(1,175)
Transfer of accumulated other comprehensive income to discontinued operations	62	62				62
Reclassification of net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(2)						(2)	(2)
De-consolidation of real estate joint ventures	(8)						(8)	(8)
Dividend to parent company	(1,672)	(1,672)			(1,672)
Transfer of AB Holding Units	(3,076)								(3,076)
Net income (loss)	(915)	(918)			(918)		3	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,234)	(1,234)				(1,234)
Other	36	36		36
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	12,428	12,416	2	7,807	5,098	(491)	12	12	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividend to parent company	(1,005)	(1,005)			(1,005)
Transfer of AB Holding Units	(1,700)
Net income (loss)	(1,851)	(1,851)			(1,851)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,083	2,083				2,083
Other	3	2		2			1	1
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 11,658	$ 11,645	$ 2	$ 7,809	$ 2,242	$ 1,592	$ 13	$ 13	$ 0