v3.8.0.1

Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance at Beginning of Period | $ 269 | $ 245 | $ 396
Charged to Costs and Expenses | 66 | 68 | 38
Other | 29 | (1) | (3)
Deductions | 45 | 43 | 185
Effect of Foreign Exchange Rates | 1 | 0 | (1)
Balance at End of Period | 320 | 269 | 245
Allowance for losses on commercial mortgage and other loans |  |  |
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance at Beginning of Period | 106 | 112 | 119
Charged to Costs and Expenses | 0 | 0 | 0
Other | 0 | 0 | 0
Deductions | 0 | 7 | 7
Effect of Foreign Exchange Rates | 0 | 1 | 0
Balance at End of Period | 106 | 106 | 112
Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset |  |  |
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance at Beginning of Period | 163 | 133 | 277
Charged to Costs and Expenses | 66 | 68 | 38
Other | 29 | (1) | (3)
Deductions | 45 | 36 | 178
Effect of Foreign Exchange Rates | 1 | (1) | (1)
Balance at End of Period | $ 214 | $ 163 | $ 133

X
- Definition Total of the net increase or decrease in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | pru_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesEffectOfForeignExchangeRates
Namespace Prefix: | pru_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-09) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase in the allowances and reserves, which consist of the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, from charges to costs and expenses. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-09) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of increase in the allowances and reserves, which consist of the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, from charges to accounts other than costs and expenses. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-09) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total of the deductions in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing receivables written off as uncollectible and portions of the reserves utilized, respectively. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-09) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis=us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis=us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |