Other Securities Owned (Summary of Other Securities Owned) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Securities Owned [Line Items]
Other securities owned	$ 516	$ 517
Schwab Funds money market funds [Member]
Other Securities Owned [Line Items]
Other securities owned	224	261
Equity and bond mutual funds [Member]
Other Securities Owned [Line Items]
Other securities owned	215	208
State and municipal debt obligations [Member]
Other Securities Owned [Line Items]
Other securities owned	51	32
Equity, U.S. Government and corporate debt, and other securities [Member]
Other Securities Owned [Line Items]
Other securities owned	$ 26	$ 16