Fair Value Measurements - Other Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	$ 215	$ 128
Other investments	45	40
Assets held in separate accounts	75,592	67,323
Derivatives liabilities	334	99
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	26,700	25,034
Equity securities	90	57
Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and short-term investments under securities loan agreement	1,415	1,207
Derivative assets	215	128
Other investments	45	40
Assets held in separate accounts	75,592	67,323
Deposit liabilities	77	77
Derivatives liabilities	334	99
Short-term Debt	1	1
Long-term debt	4	4
Carrying Value \| Embedded derivative on reinsurance
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Embedded derivative on reinsurance	(3)	(80)
Carrying Value \| Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	25,926	26,068
Carrying Value \| Funding agreements with fixed maturities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	788	658
Carrying Value \| Supplementary contracts, immediate annuities and other
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	323	333
Carrying Value \| FIA
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	11	11
Carrying Value \| Stabilizer and MCGs
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	19	4
Carrying Value \| Mortgage loans on real estate
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans	4,741	4,918
Carrying Value \| Policy loans
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans	207	210
Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	26,700	25,034
Equity securities	90	57
Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and short-term investments under securities loan agreement	1,415	1,207
Derivative assets	215	128
Other investments	45	40
Assets held in separate accounts	75,592	67,323
Deposit liabilities	141	122
Derivatives liabilities	334	99
Short-term Debt	1	1
Long-term debt	4	4
Fair Value \| Embedded derivative on reinsurance
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Embedded derivative on reinsurance	(3)	(80)
Fair Value \| Funding agreements without fixed maturities and deferred annuities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	31,354	29,108
Fair Value \| Funding agreements with fixed maturities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	786	652
Fair Value \| Supplementary contracts, immediate annuities and other
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	376	354
Fair Value \| FIA
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	11	11
Fair Value \| Stabilizer and MCGs
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Liabilities	19	4
Fair Value \| Mortgage loans on real estate
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans	4,982	4,983
Fair Value \| Policy loans
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans	$ 207	$ 210

Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942338&loc=SL82898722-210454

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118954083&loc=d3e26610-111562

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (aa)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118939692&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the customer may deposit additional funds at any time and effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid Investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Short-term investments, exclusive of cash equivalents, generally consist of marketable securities intended to be sold within one year (or the normal operating cycle if longer) and may include trading securities, available-for-sale securities, or held-to-maturity securities (if maturing within one year), as applicable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of liabilities as of the balance sheet date pertaining to amounts received by the insurer or reinsurer from the insured (including a ceding company) under insurance or reinsurance contracts for which insurance risk is not transferred.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 340
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99397363&loc=d3e9420-108338

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepositContractsLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118260190&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118260190&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as a liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value portion of liability related to investment contracts for example, but not limited to, guaranteed investment contract or annuities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 825
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487514&loc=d3e32427-158581

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesRelatedToInvestmentContractsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of loan receivable, including, but not limited to, mortgage loans held for investment, finance receivables held for investment, policy loans on insurance contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2196772

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investments classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f,g))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of asset at fair value held for benefit of separate account policyholder.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117420044&loc=d3e19393-158473

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 80
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6484091&loc=d3e19268-158472

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 80
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118959010&loc=SL117422397-158474

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfBenefitAxis=vriac_InvestmentContractWithoutFixedMaturityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfBenefitAxis=vriac_InvestmentContractWithFixedMaturityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfBenefitAxis=vriac_SupplementaryContractsandImmediateAnnuitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfBenefitAxis=vriac_EmbeddedDerivativeFixedIndexedAnnuityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteedInsuranceContractTypeOfBenefitAxis=vriac_StabilizerProductsAndManagedCustodyGuaranteeMcgProductsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_MortgagesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_PolicyLoansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: