Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	85.00%			85.00%
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	$ 374		$ 401
Net realized gains (losses)	5		1
Affordable housing partnerships	(6)		(7)
Other	24		17
Consolidated investment entities	74		77
Net investment income	471		489
Ameriprise Financial
Investments	35,906			35,735
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	28,642			28,839
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	2,063			1,811
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(227)			(340)
Fair Value	30,478			30,310
Non-Credit OTTI	(21)	[1]		(26)	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Corporate debt securities
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	15,996			16,233
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	1,516			1,330
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(48)			(97)
Fair Value	17,464			17,466
Non-Credit OTTI	3	[1]		3	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Residential mortgage backed securities
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	6,049			6,114
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	151			147
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(110)			(137)
Fair Value	6,090			6,124
Non-Credit OTTI	(29)	[1]		(33)	[1]
Ameriprise Financial | Commercial mortgage backed securities
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	2,649			2,612
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	139			141
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(7)			(12)
Fair Value	2,781			2,741
Non-Credit OTTI	0			0
Ameriprise Financial | Asset backed securities
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	1,474			1,459
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	54			53
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(6)			(8)
Fair Value	1,522			1,504
Non-Credit OTTI	0			0
Ameriprise Financial | State and municipal obligations
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	2,182			2,132
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	166			106
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(50)			(78)
Fair Value	2,298			2,160
Non-Credit OTTI	0			0
Ameriprise Financial | U.S. government and agencies obligations
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	47			47
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	5			5
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	0			0
Fair Value	52			52
Non-Credit OTTI	0			0
Ameriprise Financial | Foreign government bonds and obligations
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	238			235
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	20			18
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	(6)			(8)
Fair Value	252			245
Non-Credit OTTI	0			0
Ameriprise Financial | Common Stocks
Summary of net investment income
Amortized Cost	7			7
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInvestments	12			11
AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInvestments	0			0
Fair Value	19			18
Non-Credit OTTI	5	[1]		4	[1]
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	30,478			30,310
Mortgage Loans | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	3,487			3,510
Policy and certificate loans | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	780			774
Other Investments | Ameriprise Financial
Investments	$ 1,161			$ 1,141

[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.