CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	[1]	$ (1,846)	$ (358)	$ 3,377
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances		1,127	1,002	921
Policy charges and fee income		(3,450)	(3,523)	(3,294)
Net derivative (gains) losses		3,820	1,010	(870)
Investment (gains) losses, net		(206)	(3)	125
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities		(429)	221	(166)
Non-cash long-term incentive compensation expense		3	218	185
Amortization of deferred cost of reinsurance asset		(7)	1,882	(84)
Amortization and depreciation		323	340	825
Cash received on the recapture of captive reinsurance		0	1,273	0
Equity (income) loss from limited partnerships		(73)	(120)	(157)
Changes in:
Net broker-dealer and customer related receivables/payables		4	838	(278)
Reinsurance recoverable		(183)	(390)	(1,018)
Segregated cash and securities, net		0	(345)	130
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(648)	(597)	(578)
Future policy benefits		1,115	(284)	1,189
Current and deferred income taxes		(334)	(556)	(1,174)
Other, net		178	810	486
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(606)	1,418	(381)
Proceeds from the sale/maturity/prepayment of:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		12,450	8,935	9,738
Mortgage loans on real estate		952	768	934
Trading account securities		10,209	9,298	9,125
Real estate joint ventures		5	139	0
Short-term investments		2,548	2,315	2,204
Other		253	190	228
Payment for the purchase/origination of:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		(28,537)	(11,110)	(12,465)
Mortgage loans on real estate		(1,240)	(1,642)	(2,108)
Trading account securities		(1,067)	(11,404)	(12,667)
Short-term investments		(2,762)	(1,852)	(2,456)
Other		(408)	(170)	(280)
Cash settlements related to derivative instruments		(961)	805	(1,259)
Repayments of loans to affiliates		300	900	0
Investment in capitalized software, leasehold improvements and EDP equipment		(65)	(115)	(100)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		0	0	(130)
Issuance of loans to affiliates		(900)	(1,100)	0
Cash disposed due to distribution of disposed subsidiary		0	(672)	0
Other, net		(55)	(91)	322
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(9,278)	(4,806)	(8,914)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits		12,283	9,365	9,334
Withdrawals		(4,641)	(4,496)	(3,926)
Transfer (to) from Separate Accounts		1,869	1,809	1,566
Proceeds from loans from affiliates		0	572	0
Change in short-term financings		0	(26)	53
Change in collateralized pledged assets		(69)	1	710
Change in collateralized pledged liabilities		1,359	(291)	1,108
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable		0	3	63
Repayment of loans from affiliates		(572)	0	0
Shareholder dividends paid		(1,005)	(1,672)	0
Repurchase of AB Holding Units		0	(267)	(220)
Purchases (redemptions) of noncontrolling interests of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds		19	(472)	120
Distribution to noncontrolling interest of consolidated subsidiaries		0	(610)	(457)
Increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreement to repurchase		(573)	(1,314)	(109)
Capital contribution from parent company		0	0	1,500
Other, net		84	11	(10)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		8,754	2,613	9,732
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		0	(12)	22
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(1,130)	(787)	459
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		2,622	3,409	2,950
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year		1,492	2,622	3,409
Cash and cash equivalents of disposed subsidiary:
Beginning of year		0	1,009	1,006
End of year		0	0	1,009
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations
Beginning of year		2,622	2,400	1,944
End of year		1,492	2,622	2,400
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid		(4)	0	(8)
Income taxes (refunded) paid		(252)	(8)	(33)
Cash flows of disposed subsidiary:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		0	1,137	715
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		0	(102)	(297)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		0	(1,360)	(437)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		0	(12)	22
Non-cash transactions:
(Settlement) issuance of long-term debt		0	(202)	202
Transfer of assets to reinsurer		0	(604)	0
Repayments of loans from affiliates		0	300	0
Disposal of subsidiary
Assets disposed		0	9,156	0
Liabilities disposed		0	4,914	0
Net assets disposed		0	4,242	0
Cash disposed		0	672	0
Net non-cash disposed		$ 0	$ 3,570	$ 0

[1] Net income (loss) includes $0, $564 million and $533 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of the discontinued operations that are not included in Net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).