v3.8.0.1

Share-Based Payments (Compensation Cost Recognized and Related Income Tax Benefit for Stock Options, Restricted Stock Shares, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Share Awards) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Total Compensation Cost Recognized | $ 263 | $ 202 | $ 164
Income Tax Benefit | 97 | 75 | 62
Employee stock options |  |  |
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Total Compensation Cost Recognized | 12 | 19 | 21
Income Tax Benefit | 5 | 7 | 8
Employee restricted stock units |  |  |
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Total Compensation Cost Recognized | 142 | 126 | 111
Income Tax Benefit | 51 | 47 | 42
Employee performance shares and performance units |  |  |
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Total Compensation Cost Recognized | 109 | 57 | 32
Income Tax Benefit | $ 41 | $ 21 | $ 12

X
- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=pru_EmployeeRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=pru_EmployeePerformanceSharesAndUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |