v3.8.0.1
Short-Term and Long-Term Debt (Short-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 1,380 $ 1,133
Weighted average interest rate on outstanding short-term debt 0.99% 0.43%
Commercial paper    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 550 $ 590
Weighted average maturity of outstanding commercial paper, in days 22 days 21 days
Current portion of long-term debt    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 830 $ 543
Borrowings due overnight | Commercial paper    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 277 292
Daily average outstanding | Commercial paper    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 1,110 1,020
Prudential Financial    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt 880 535
Prudential Financial | Commercial paper    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 50 $ 65
Weighted average interest rate on outstanding short-term debt 1.15% 0.60%
Prudential Financial | Current portion of long-term debt    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 830 $ 470
Prudential Funding, LLC | Commercial paper    
Short Term Debt [Line Items]    
Short-term debt $ 500 $ 525