Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Policyholder Funds	$ 22,432	$ 22,735
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	6,530	6,258
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	663	627
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims	29,625	29,620
Ameriprise Financial
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims	29,625	29,620
Fixed annuities
Policyholder Funds	13,511	13,826
Variable annuity fixed sub-accounts
Policyholder Funds	4,892	4,926
Variable Universal Life and Universal Life Insurance [Member]
Policyholder Funds	2,798	2,790
IUL
Policyholder Funds	363	315
Other Life Insurance [Member]
Policyholder Funds	868	878
Variable annuity GMWB
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	(267)	(383)
Variable annuity GMAB
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	(69)	(62)
Other annuity liabilities [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	103	76
Fixed annuities life contingent liabilities [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	1,517	1,523
Equity Indexed Annuity Member [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	28	29
Life Disability Income and Long Term Care Insurance [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	4,845	4,739
Variable Universal Life and Universal Life Insurance Additional Liabilities [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefits	$ 373	$ 336