Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. On March 26, 2025, Equitable Holdings, Inc. issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.700% Fixed-to-FixedReset Rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2055 (the “junior subordinated debt securities”). The junior subordinated debt securities were issued pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement on FormS-3of Equitable Holdings, Inc., FileNo. 333-282204), between Equitable Holdings, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “ Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2025 (the “ Supplemental Indenture”), between Equitable Holdings, Inc. and the Trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 4.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits Exhibit Description of Exhibit No. 4.1 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2025, between Equitable Holdings, Inc. and the Trustee. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 4.2 Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 above). 5.1 Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. 8.1 Tax Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. 23.1 Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1 above). 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) - 2 - SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC. Date: March 26, 2025 By: /s/ Ralph Petruzzo Name: Ralph Petruzzo Title: Deputy General Counsel - 3 -