CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Cumulative effect of period of adoption, adjusted balance	AXA Equitable Equity	AXA Equitable Equity Cumulative effect of period of adoption, adjusted balance	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Cumulative effect of period of adoption, adjusted balance	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXA Equitable	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 12,428		$ 12,416		$ 2	$ 7,807	$ 5,098		$ (491)	$ 12
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
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	13,932		13,920		2	7,822	4,532		1,564	12
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	12,370		12,358		2	7,815	4,268		273	12
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
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	13,932		13,920		2	7,822	4,532		1,564	12
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	11,658	$ (32)	11,645	$ (32)	2	7,809	2,242	$ (32)	1,592	13
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividend to parent company	(1,200)		(1,200)				(1,200)			0
Net income (loss)	1,646		1,648				1,648			(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,084		3,084						3,084
Other	10		12			12				(2)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 15,166		15,157		2	7,821	2,658		4,676	9
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accounting standards update [extensible list]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 18,881		18,872		2	7,811	7,953		3,106	9
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividend to parent company	(1,200)		(1,200)				(1,200)
Net income (loss)	(4,095)		(4,095)				(4,095)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,570		1,570						1,570
Other	10		10			10
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 15,166		$ 15,157		$ 2	$ 7,821	$ 2,658		$ 4,676	$ 9