ADOPTION AND FUTURE ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (DETAILS) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 3,622		$ 3,622		$ 3,545	$ 6,503
LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Income taxes payable	5,532		5,532		5,104	3,657
EQUITY [Abstract]
Retained earnings accumulated deficit	9,997		9,997		9,392	6,844
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	84		84		(297)	(610)
Total AXA Equitable's Equity	15,826		15,826		14,840	11,829
Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest	18,591	14,791	18,591	14,791	17,543	14,947
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS [Abstract]
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	245	114	328	379
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(192)	(177)	(375)	(335)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before, income taxes	3,826	1,201	1,260	360
Income tax (expense) benefit	(1,358)	(402)	(365)	(62)
Net earnings (loss)	2,468	799	895	298
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable	2,421	741	786	169
ADJUSTMENT TO RECONCILE NET EARNINGS (LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATIONS
Net earnings (loss)	2,468	799	895	298
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs			(47)	44
Change in income taxes payable			203	26
As Reported [Member]
ASSETS [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs					4,653	8,383
LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Income taxes payable					5,491	4,315
EQUITY [Abstract]
Retained earnings accumulated deficit					10,120	8,085
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)					(304)	(629)
Total AXA Equitable's Equity					15,561	13,051
Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest					18,264	16,169
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS [Abstract]
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		188		565
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(246)		(470)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before, income taxes		1,196		309
Income tax (expense) benefit		(401)		(45)
Net earnings (loss)		795		264
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable		737		135
ADJUSTMENT TO RECONCILE NET EARNINGS (LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATIONS
Net earnings (loss)		795		264
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs				95
Change in income taxes payable				9
Adjustment [Member]
ASSETS [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs					(1,108)	(1,880)
LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Income taxes payable					(387)	(658)
EQUITY [Abstract]
Retained earnings accumulated deficit					(728)	(1,241)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)					7	19
Total AXA Equitable's Equity					(721)	(1,222)
Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest					(721)	(1,222)
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS [Abstract]
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(74)		(186)
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs		69		135
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before, income taxes		5		51
Income tax (expense) benefit		(1)		(17)
Net earnings (loss)		4		34
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AXA Equitable		4		34
ADJUSTMENT TO RECONCILE NET EARNINGS (LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATIONS
Net earnings (loss)		4		34
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs				(51)
Change in income taxes payable				$ 17