v3.8.0.1
Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Basic earnings per share                      
Net income (loss) $ 3,865 $ 2,241 $ 496 $ 1,372 $ 293 $ 1,832 $ 925 $ 1,369 $ 7,974 $ 4,419 $ 5,712
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests $ 100 $ 3 $ 5 $ 3 $ 9 $ 5 $ 4 $ 33 111 51 70
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards                 95 50 55
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock, Basic Income                 $ 7,768 $ 4,318 $ 5,587
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock, Basic Weighted Average Shares                 427.0 438.2 451.7
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock, Basic Per Share Amount $ 8.78 $ 5.19 $ 1.13 $ 3.14 $ 0.65 $ 4.14 $ 2.06 $ 2.97 $ 18.19 $ 9.85 $ 12.37
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share [Abstract]                      
Add: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards—Basic                 $ 95 $ 50 $ 55
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating unvested share-based payment awards—Diluted                 $ 94 $ 49 $ 54
Stock options, Weighted Average Shares                 2.1 1.8 2.3
Deferred and long-term compensation programs (in shares)                 1.1 0.9 0.9
Exchangeable Surplus Notes                 $ 17 $ 17 $ 17
Exchangeable Surplus Notes (in shares)                 5.8 5.7 5.5
Diluted earnings per share                      
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock, Diluted Income                 $ 7,786 $ 4,336 $ 5,605
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock, Diluted Weighted Average Shares                 436.0 446.6 460.4
Net income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial available to holders of Common Stock, Diluted Per Share Amount $ 8.61 $ 5.09 $ 1.12 $ 3.09 $ 0.65 $ 4.07 $ 2.04 $ 2.93 $ 17.86 $ 9.71 $ 12.17