v3.8.0.1
Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Condensed Statements of Operations) (Details) - USD ($)
$ 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
REVENUES                      
Net investment income                 $ 16,435 $ 15,520 $ 14,829
Realized investment gains (losses), net                 432 2,194 4,025
Other income (loss)                 1,301 443 0
Total revenues $ 16,265 $ 16,313 $ 13,441 $ 13,670 $ 13,050 $ 16,961 $ 14,439 $ 14,329 59,689 58,779 57,119
EXPENSES                      
Interest expense                 1,327 1,320 1,306
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES                 6,487 5,705 7,769
Total income tax expense (benefit)                 (1,438) 1,335 2,072
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES                 7,925 4,370 5,697
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries                 49 49 15
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC. $ 3,765 $ 2,238 $ 491 $ 1,369 $ 284 $ 1,827 $ 921 $ 1,336 7,863 4,368 5,642
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.                 10,316 6,704 1,877
Prudential Financial                      
REVENUES                      
Net investment income                 92 61 19
Realized investment gains (losses), net                 (73) (126) (98)
Affiliated interest revenue                 379 353 353
Other income (loss)                 (79) (2) 28
Total revenues                 319 286 302
EXPENSES                      
General and administrative expenses                 126 101 170
Interest expense                 1,057 1,106 1,080
Total expenses                 1,183 1,207 1,250
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES                 (864) (921) (948)
Total income tax expense (benefit)                 (397) (320) (396)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF OPERATING JOINT VENTURES                 (467) (601) (552)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries                 8,330 4,969 6,194
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, INC.                 7,863 4,368 5,642
Other Comprehensive Income (loss)                 2,453 2,336 (3,765)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc.                 $ 10,316 $ 6,704 $ 1,877