Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total		Preferred stock	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	Treasury stock	Non- redeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment management funds	Redeemable non- controlling interests/ temporary equity
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 37,264	[1]	$ 1,068	$ 13	$ 23,485	$ 14,622	$ (643)	$ (2,114)	$ 833	$ 178
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares issued to shareholders of noncontrolling interests										13
Redemption of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests										(23)
Other net changes in noncontrolling interests	(14)				10	(1)			(23)	19
Net income (loss)	(237)					(253)			16	0
Other comprehensive (loss)	(292)						(272)		(20)	(9)
Dividends, Common stock at $0.13 per share	(153)					(153)
Dividends, Preferred stock	(13)					(13)
Repurchase of common stock	(252)							(252)
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans	7				7
Common stock issued under direct stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan	5				5
Stock awards and options exercised	181			0	181			0
Common stockholders' equity	34,622
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 36,496	[1]	$ 1,068	$ 13	$ 23,688	$ 14,202	$ (915)	$ (2,366)	$ 806	$ 178

[1] Includes total The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation common shareholders’ equity of $35,363 million at Dec. 31, 2012, and $34,622 million at March 31, 2013.