Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 28, 2014	Oct. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Net unrealized securities gains	$ 786				$ 655				$ 786	$ 655
Net unrealized derivatives losses	0				(1)				0	(1)	(2)			(11)
Foreign currency translation	(53)				(13)				(53)	(13)
Defined benefit plans	(71)				(46)				(71)	(46)	(91)			(75)
Total	662				595				662	595
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net investment income									1,741	1,889	1,933
Income tax provision									(545)	(492)	(335)
Interest and debt expense									(328)	(281)	(276)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	558	720	619	650	479	602	402	487	2,547	1,970	1,238
Net of tax	425	420	374	400	296	382	321	335
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount												2,500	2,000
Remaining balance under stock repurchase program	1,800								1,800
Number of shares reacquired through surrender of restricted shares									0.8	0.4	0.3
Value of shares reacquired through surrender of restricted shares									92	26	18
Number of shares reacquired through net settlement of options									2.1	2.9
Aggregate value of shares reacquired through net settlement of options									252	227
Net settlement of stock options related to strike price									160	145
Value of shares reacquired through net settlement of options									92	82
Treasury shares reissued for restricted stock award grants and Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan (in shares)									1.6	1.9	1.8
Open market share repurchases [Member]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)									11.8	17.8	24.6
Repurchase of common shares									1,400	1,500	1,300
Franchise Advisor Deferral Plan [Member]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)											0.3
Repurchase of common shares											21
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities [Member] | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net investment income									(39)	(7)
Income tax provision									14	2
Net of tax									(25)	(5)
Losses (gains) on cash flow hedge [Member] | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Income tax provision									0	0
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision									1	1
Net of tax									1	1
Losses (gains) on cash flow hedge [Member] | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Interest rate derivative contracts [Member]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Interest and debt expense									(4)	(4)
Losses (gains) on cash flow hedge [Member] | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Interest rate swaptions [Member]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net investment income									$ 5	$ 5