Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 06, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsequent Event Senior notes due 2015	Nov. 04, 2013 Subsequent Event Senior notes due 2015	Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial	Nov. 22, 2011 Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Repurchase agreements	Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial Repurchase agreements	Sep. 30, 2013 Ameriprise Financial Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances
Debt and stated interest rates
Derivative Instruments, Gain Recognized in Income		$ 20,000,000
Unsecured senior notes issued	600,000,000
Debt issuance costs	5,000,000
Credit facility, current borrowing capacity						500,000,000
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						750,000,000
Outstanding letters of credit issued against credit facility				2,000,000	2,000,000
Securities pledged as collateral							156,000,000	518,000,000	436,000,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			350,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding				$ 0	$ 0