Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Corporate debt securities		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Corporate debt securities		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Residential mortgage backed securities		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Residential mortgage backed securities		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Commercial mortgage backed securities		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Commercial mortgage backed securities		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Asset backed securities		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Asset backed securities		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial State and municipal obligations		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial State and municipal obligations		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial U.S. government and agencies obligations		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial U.S. government and agencies obligations		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Foreign government bonds and obligations		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Foreign government bonds and obligations		Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Common Stocks		Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Common Stocks		Sep. 30, 2013 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2013 Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2013 Policy and certificate loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Policy and certificate loans Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial
Investments					$ 35,404		$ 36,877																																		$ 30,084	$ 31,472	$ 3,524	$ 3,609	$ 769	$ 754	$ 1,027	$ 1,042
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	390	442	1,194	1,353
Net realized gains (losses)	6	(68)	7	(75)
Affordable housing partnerships	(3)	(5)	(11)	(17)
Other	17	15	76	51
Consolidated investment entities	81	43	165	118
Net investment income	491	427	1,431	1,430
Amortized Cost					28,455		28,510		16,198		16,628		5,895		5,280		2,612		3,120		1,377		1,204		2,079		2,034		47		49		240		188		7		7
Gross Unrealized Gains					1,933		3,123		1,392		2,196		171		261		166		299		54		75		116		241		6		9		19		36		9		6
Gross Unrealized Losses					(304)		(161)		(88)		(9)		(123)		(112)		(8)		0		(6)		(4)		(72)		(36)		0		0		(7)		0		0		0
Fair Value					30,084		31,472		17,502		18,815		5,943		5,429		2,770		3,419		1,425		1,275		2,123		2,239		53		58		252		224		16		13
Non-Credit OTTI					$ (38)	[1]	$ (56)	[1]	$ 2	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ (43)	[1]	$ (58)	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 3	[1]	$ 2	[1]

[1] Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date. These amounts are included in gross unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the period.