REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Other invested assets	$ 1,523	$ 1,962	$ 1,607	$ 2,156
Deferred policy acquisition costs	3,735	3,676	3,983	4,222				$ 4,959
Amounts due from reinsurers	3,032			3,002				3,124
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value	3,247			2,466				1,992
Current and deferred income taxes	0			249				473
Other assets	3,854			3,050				2,785
Total Assets	239,945	232,308	218,768	227,952				199,958
LIABILITIES
Policyholders’ account balances	59,099			55,421
Future policy benefits and other policyholders' liabilities	41,117	41,411	37,862	33,979				29,883
Current and deferred income taxes	1,130	999	1,615	0
Other liabilities	2,519			1,769				1,460
Total Liabilities	225,508	217,184	199,938	216,348				187,560
Equity:
Retained earnings	1,634	2,580	7,870	2,145				5,039
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,923			1,596	$ 2,220			(501)
Total equity attributable to Equitable Financial	14,390	15,079	18,789	11,552				12,347
Total Equity	14,399	15,088	18,798	11,565	13,254	$ 13,781	$ 12,281	12,359	$ 19,395
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Equity	$ 239,945	232,308	218,768	227,952				199,958
As Previously Reported
ASSETS
Other invested assets		1,962	1,595
Deferred policy acquisition costs		3,746	4,068	4,337				5,011
Amounts due from reinsurers				3,001				3,124
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value				2,466				1,991
Current and deferred income taxes				224				438
Other assets				3,050				2,763
Total Assets		232,378	218,841	228,041				199,952
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits and other policyholders' liabilities		41,382	37,830	33,976				29,808
Current and deferred income taxes		1,020	1,637
Other liabilities				1,768				1,460
Total Liabilities		217,176	199,928	216,344				187,485
Equity:
Retained earnings		2,658	7,953	2,242				5,098
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				1,592				(491)
Total equity attributable to Equitable Financial		15,157	18,872	11,645				12,416
Total Equity		15,166	18,881	11,658	13,251	13,932	12,370	12,428	19,492
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Equity		232,378	218,841	228,041				199,952
Impact of Revisions
ASSETS
Other invested assets		0	12
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(70)	(85)	(115)				(52)
Amounts due from reinsurers				1				0
Guaranteed minimum income benefit reinsurance asset, at fair value				0				1
Current and deferred income taxes				25				35
Other assets				0				22
Total Assets		(70)	(73)	(89)				6
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits and other policyholders' liabilities		29	32	3				75
Current and deferred income taxes		(21)	(22)
Other liabilities				1				0
Total Liabilities		8	10	4				75
Equity:
Retained earnings		(78)	(83)	(97)				(59)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				4				(10)
Total equity attributable to Equitable Financial		(78)	(83)	(93)				(69)
Total Equity		(78)	(83)	(93)	$ 3	$ (151)	$ (89)	(69)	$ (97)
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Equity		$ (70)	$ (73)	$ (89)				$ 6