Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Revenues	$ 2,946	$ 2,813	$ 2,749	$ 2,691	$ 2,674	$ 2,468	$ 2,514	$ 2,561	$ 11,199	$ 10,217	$ 10,192
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	479	602	402	487	418	199	299	322	1,970	1,238	1,447
Income from continuing operations	382	448	282	366	331	152	171	249	1,478	903	1,070
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2)	1	(1)	(1)	1	(1)	(1)	(1)	(3)	(2)	(60)
Net income	380	449	281	365	332	151	170	248	1,475	901	1,010
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	84	67	(40)	30	(57)	(22)	(53)	4	141	(128)	(106)
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 296	$ 382	$ 321	$ 335	$ 389	$ 173	$ 223	$ 244	$ 1,334	$ 1,029	$ 1,116
Basic
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 1.90	$ 1.57	$ 1.61	$ 1.84	$ 0.81	$ 1.01	$ 1.08	$ 6.58	$ 4.71	$ 4.87
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)				$ 0.01	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.25)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.90	$ 1.57	$ 1.61	$ 1.85	$ 0.80	$ 1.01	$ 1.07	$ 6.56	$ 4.70	$ 4.62
Diluted
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.47	$ 1.86	$ 1.54	$ 1.58	$ 1.80	$ 0.79	$ 0.99	$ 1.06	$ 6.46	$ 4.63	$ 4.77
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)				$ 0.01			$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.24)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.86	$ 1.54	$ 1.58	$ 1.81	$ 0.79	$ 0.99	$ 1.05	$ 6.44	$ 4.62	$ 4.53
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	198.3	201.3	204.9	208.4	210.8	215.0	221.7	227.3	203.2	218.7	241.4
Diluted	202.3	205.1	208.6	212.3	215.1	219.1	225.6	231.7	207.1	222.8	246.3
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.45	$ 0.45	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.00	$ 2.01	$ 1.15	$ 1.15
Common share price:
High (in dollars per share)	$ 115.36	$ 94.45	$ 84.29	$ 75.14	$ 63.75	$ 60.47	$ 57.94	$ 58.68	$ 115.36	$ 63.75
Low (in dollars per share)	$ 89.37	$ 80.49	$ 69.35	$ 63.59	$ 55.66	$ 47.84	$ 45.17	$ 49.14	$ 89.37	$ 55.66