v3.8.0.1

Investments (Net Unrealized Gains Losses on Investments by Asset Class) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	$ 36,398	$ 32,732	$ 28,474
Fixed Maturities | Available-for-sale | OTTI
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	286	312	234
Fixed Maturities | Available-for-sale | All Other
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	34,109	28,526	24,673
Equity securities | Available-for-sale
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	2,027	2,599	2,427
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	(39)	1,316	1,165
Other Investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	15	$ (21)	$ (25)
Other Investments | Held-to-maturity
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments	$ 0

X

- Definition

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pru_NetUnrealizedGainsLossesonInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	pru_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsIncludingMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestmentsHeldAtCostIncomeStatementReportedAmountsSummaryLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsByCategoryAxis=us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=pru_OtherNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsByCategoryAxis=us-gaap_HeldtomaturitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: