Business and Basis of Presentation (Variable Annuities Recature Affected Financial Statement Lines) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceding commissions					$ 129,155					$ 533,327	$ 275,693	$ 787,195
Retained earnings		$ 1,612,435				$ 1,526,310				1,612,435	1,526,310
REVENUES
Premiums										50,808	54,706	(825,942)
Realized investment gains (losses)										(167,278)	(80,186)	758,449
TOTAL REVENUES		209,146	$ 183,330	$ 248,288	188,712	211,787	$ (21,860)	$ 287,079	$ 210,959	829,476	687,965	1,211,202
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits					51,736					149,499	(18,416)	(275,565)
General, administrative and other expenses										314,371	271,533	220,733
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES		200,479	166,760	224,981	179,469	181,112	193,996	(44,363)	185,770	771,689	516,515	874,489
Income tax expense (benefit)					(2,699)					(52,641)	(156,828)	(68,492)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$ 42,383	$ 18,725	$ 36,226	$ 11,304	$ 117,920	$ (177,196)	$ 341,052	$ 46,017	$ 108,638	$ 327,793	$ 405,205
Variable Annuity
REVENUES
Premiums	$ (880,000)
Realized investment gains (losses)	805,000
TOTAL REVENUES	(75,000)
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits	(547,000)
General, administrative and other expenses	(211,000)
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES	(758,000)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	683,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6,000)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	689,000
Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
REVENUES
Premiums	0
Realized investment gains (losses)	(2,146,000)
TOTAL REVENUES	(2,146,000)
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits	0
General, administrative and other expenses	0
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES	0
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(2,146,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	17,000
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(2,163,000)
Variable Annuity | Impacts of Reinsurance
REVENUES
Premiums	(880,000)
Realized investment gains (losses)	2,951,000
TOTAL REVENUES	2,071,000
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits	(547,000)
General, administrative and other expenses	(211,000)
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES	(758,000)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	2,829,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	(23,000)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	2,852,000
PALAC and Prudential Insurance | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Reinsurance
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Asset transfer													$ (7,700,000)
Pruco Re | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Asset transfer													4,200,000
PALAC | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Asset transfer													(7,000,000)
Ceding commissions	3,600,000
Prudential Insurance | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Asset transfer													(700,000)
Ceding commissions	400,000
Reassignment of debt | PALAC | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceding commissions	1,100,000
Reassignment of debt | Prudential Insurance | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceding commissions	$ 100,000
Dividends | Prudential Insurance | Variable Annuity | Impacts of Recapture
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Retained earnings													$ 2,800,000