Earnings per Share Attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders (Basic & Diluted) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, 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
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$ 454	$ 565	$ 467	$ 516	$ 382	$ 448	$ 282	$ 366	$ 2,002	$ 1,478	$ 903
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	28	145	93	115	84	67	(40)	30	381	141	(128)
Income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,621	1,337	1,031
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1)	0	0	(1)	(2)	1	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)	(2)
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									$ 1,619	$ 1,334	$ 1,029
Denominator:
Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	187.9	190.3	192.7	195.5	198.3	201.3	204.9	208.4	191.6	203.2	218.7
Effect of potentially dilutive nonqualified stock options and other share-based awards (in shares)									3.4	3.9	4.1
Diluted: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	191.2	193.7	196.2	199.1	202.3	205.1	208.6	212.3	195.0	207.1	222.8
Basic:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.27	$ 2.21	$ 1.94	$ 2.05	$ 1.50	$ 1.90	$ 1.57	$ 1.61	$ 8.46	$ 6.58	$ 4.71
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)				$ (0.01)	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26	$ 2.21	$ 1.94	$ 2.05	$ 1.49	$ 1.90	$ 1.57	$ 1.61	$ 8.45	$ 6.56	$ 4.70
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.23	$ 2.17	$ 1.91	$ 2.01	$ 1.47	$ 1.86	$ 1.54	$ 1.58	$ 8.31	$ 6.46	$ 4.63
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)				$ (0.01)				$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.22	$ 2.17	$ 1.91	$ 2.01	$ 1.46	$ 1.86	$ 1.54	$ 1.58	$ 8.30	$ 6.44	$ 4.62