Investments (OCI rollforward) (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	$ (137)		$ (67)		$ 341		$ (869)
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	(4)		(5)		(8)		(5)
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables, net of tax	(1)		18		(168)		283
Net unrealized securities gains/losses, gross [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period					1,016		2,017
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period					526	[1]	(1,326)	[1]
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income					(12)		(7)
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables					(258)		436
Balance at the end of the period	1,272		1,120		1,272		1,120
Deferred income tax [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period					(361)		(705)
Net unrealized securities (gains) losses arising during the period					(185)	[1]	457	[1]
Reclassification of net securities gains (losses) included in net income					4		2
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables					90		(153)
Balance at the end of the period	(452)		(399)		(452)		(399)
Net unrealized securities gains/losses, net of tax [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period					655		1,312
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax					341	[1]	(869)	[1]
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income					(8)		(5)
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables, net of tax					(168)		283
Balance at the end of the period	820	[2]	721	[2]	820	[2]	721	[2]
Noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities, included in accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 5		$ (11)		$ 5		$ (11)

[1] Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.

[2] Includes $5 million and $(11) million of noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities gains (losses) on previously impaired securities at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.