Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Level 3 Rollforwards - Liabilities) (Details 3) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Net increase (decrease) to pretax income from embedded derivative liability	$ 124		$ (168)		$ (71)
IUL embedded derivatives [Member]
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Roll Forward]
Balance, at the beginning of the period	125		45
Total gains (losses) included in net income	40	[1]	19	[1]	(8)	[1]
Issues	90		62		31
Settlements	(13)		(1)
Transfers into Level 3					22
Balance, at the end of the period	242		125		45
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	40		19		(8)
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Roll Forward]
Balance, at the beginning of the period	(575)		833		1,585
Total gains (losses) included in net income	811	[2]	(1,617)	[2]	(948)	[2]
Issues	254		228		188
Settlements	(11)		(19)		8
Balance, at the end of the period	479		(575)		833
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	811		(1,598)		(908)
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims [Member]
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Roll Forward]
Balance, at the beginning of the period	(450)		878		1,585
Total gains (losses) included in net income	851		(1,598)		(956)
Issues	344		290		219
Settlements	(24)		(20)		8
Transfers into Level 3					22
Balance, at the end of the period	721		(450)		878
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	40		19		(8)
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	$ 811		$ (1,598)		$ (908)

[1] Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

[2] Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.