Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	$ 1,575		$ 1,768		$ 1,917
Net realized gains (losses)	7		7		6
Affordable housing partnerships	(12)		(25)		(32)
Other	99		73		64
Consolidated investment entities	220		110		91
Net investment income	1,889		1,933		2,046
Ameriprise Financial
Investments	35,735		36,877
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	28,839		28,510
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	1,811		3,123
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(340)		(161)
Fair Value	30,310		31,472
Non-Credit OTTI	(26)	[1]	(56)	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Corporate debt securities
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	16,233		16,628
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	1,330		2,196
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(97)		(9)
Fair Value	17,466		18,815
Non-Credit OTTI	3	[1]	0	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Residential mortgage backed securities
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	6,114		5,280
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	147		261
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(137)		(112)
Fair Value	6,124		5,429
Non-Credit OTTI	(33)	[1]	(58)	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Commercial mortgage backed securities
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	2,612		3,120
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	141		299
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(12)		0
Fair Value	2,741		3,419
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Asset backed securities
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	1,459		1,204
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	53		75
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(8)		(4)
Fair Value	1,504		1,275
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | State and municipal obligations
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	2,132		2,034
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	106		241
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(78)		(36)
Fair Value	2,160		2,239
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | U.S. government and agencies obligations
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	47		49
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	5		9
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	0		0
Fair Value	52		58
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Foreign government bonds and obligations
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	235		188
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	18		36
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(8)		0
Fair Value	245		224
Non-Credit OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Common Stocks
Available-for-Sale securities:
Amortized Cost	7		7
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	11		6
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	0		0
Fair Value	18		13
Non-Credit OTTI	4	[1]	2	[1]
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	30,310		31,472
Mortgage Loans | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	3,510		3,609
Policy and certificate loans | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	774		754
Other Investments | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	$ 1,141		$ 1,042

[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.